Learning Science through Comics and Augmented Reality

Abstract

Scientific education holds a great importance in life of every person. On the basis of this education a country can remove inequality, produce knowledgeable workforce and provide a good quality of life for everyone. Science offers a laboratory power but it can only be achieved if students are given proper scientific education from the start. The problems which are being faced in learning science at middle school level are students’ attitude problem towards science which include low engagement and motivation to learn science, no in depth learning, inability to apply learned concepts in real life. There is huge gap between curriculum and what is actually learned in the classroom. This study is conducted to observe the impact of using Science comics along with AR application on learning scientific concepts and on motivation. For this comic book titled “Science Squad: Heads to the Village” was developed on the topic of “The Simple Machines” and an AR application titled “Animate Comics” was developed to view the 3D models of simple machines. The participants in this study were the students of 5th and 6th grade studying in private school of Islamabad and Gujranwala. This intervention was carried out on 15 days with total participants of 84. Two quasi-experimental designs were selected for this study: one group pre-test—post-test group design and pre-test—post-test non-equivalent groups design. Pre and post-tests disclosed that comics and AR have positive impact (18.2% increase in one group case while in two groups case 26.4% increase in experimental group) on the learning achievement of students and motivational surveys uncovered that students motivation also increased significantly through this intervention.