What is AR?

AR uses computer graphics to add a layer of information on the real world

Aims to assist understanding and/or interaction with the world around you

Natural-feature tracking (physical object) and marker less (GPS coordinates)

Raising institutional valueEngaging students with innovative use of technologies will help universities to be seen as cutting edge.

Students require more demonstrative input and engaging E-learning materials, AR can help achieve this.

AR derived e-learning materials offer flexibility to support traditional form of study in parallel with course aims and objectives.

SCARLET contextStudents must consult rare books within the controlled conditions of library study rooms

The objects are isolated from the secondary, supporting materials and the growing mass of related digital assets

Unfamiliar experience for students used to living in an online world

SCARLET aims

Provide method of linking fragile and rare objects with related online resources

Use AR to enhance the learner experience

Develop a methodology that can be replicated in other contexts

Combining the magic of seeing and handling primary sources with leading-edge technology to support research-led teaching

Surrounding objects with contextual material

Users retain information when actively involved in a learning experience

Benefits for students

Mimas

Project management, AR technology expertise and development, learner evaluation and toolkit development

John Rylands Library

Special collectionsexpertise, technical integration

with digitised content and special collections materials

Academics

Award winning academics from Humanities faculty developing

and delivering content

Multi-disciplinary team

Pilot courses

Pilots in three UG courses:•Italian Studies

– Beyond the Text: The Book and its Body

•English and American Studies– Milton

•Classical Studies– Egypt in the Graeco-Roman World

Visual RecognitionTechnology uses visual cues to display surrounding content.

10 key editions of the poem which are particularly important in terms of the publishing and or/intellectual history

All published between 1472 and 1555

Dante content development

Evaluation processVarious evaluation methods (focus groups, surveys)

How effective is the AR app in providing a comparison of the 10 selected objects (Dante)?

Does AR add value to students study and assist with learning outcomes?

How can feedback be used to inform the next development phase?

Feedback final year UGTechnology was easy to use

Video introductions related to specific objects were most valuable

Provided a central reference to content and resources

Beneficial for initial planning of essays and basic knowledge acquisition

Their level of expertise made some content less relevant

Feedback 1st year UG

Positive response and SCARLET considered:•‘very inspirational’•‘almost like not studying’

Useful introduction to special collections materials

Lessons learned: content

• Useful for an introduction to a subject, UG 1 & 2

• AR may be more suitable when used as part of an activity-based learning exercise

• Use of AR should be contextual, closely linked to the object and offer a unique experience

• Amount of time required by academics to assist in content development shouldn’t be underestimated

Lessons learned: process

Multi-disciplinary team

Focus on student learning

Iterative development cycle

User focused design, evaluation and review

Wider audience

SCARLET JRUL public engagement project

How can AR add value and enhance understanding of an object at JRUL for the general public?

First focus group conducted April 2012

Other subject applications

Early discussions with Medical school relating to use in clinical skills. (e.g. trainee doctors, pharmacists, trainee dentists etc.)

Other subject applications

Use with other Mimas services visualising data (e.g. Landmap).

SCARLET Blog

SCARLET toolkit

Available June 2012

Help others to engage with their users and offer new ways to demonstrate the value of special collections across the UK

Embedding toolkit within institutions

SCARLET+

May 2012 – April 2013

•The University of Sussex and the Craft Study Centre at the University for the Creative Arts

•Trial the AR Toolkit with two different types of collections (mass observations and visual arts)

•Leading to 2 case studies of embedding AR in the wider community and further examples of AR

Selected conference presentations• JISC Online Conference Activity Week 2011• ELI 2012 Annual Meeting• UKSG 2012 • Electronic Resources and Libraries • CNI meeting • LILAC 2012 • m-libraries workshop • ELAG• NOWAL • HEA Conference • CILIP's Mobile Technology Executive Briefing• A number of articles have been published and accessible via the

SCARLET blog

Find out more

Blog: http://teamscarlet.wordpress.com

Twitter: @team_scarlet