GeoSolvAR: Augmented Reality Based Solution for Visualizing 3D Solids

Visualization is an important skill required to understand 3-Dimensional (3D) geometry concepts involving solids. However, 3D visualization is fairly difficult as it involves complex tasks like mental rotation and spatial transformations. Traditional methods of teaching 3D solids concepts such as static 2D images and physical models are not adequate to build these abilities in students. Also, existing geometry software packages restricts the user to interact and manipulate objects on the computer screens and not in real 3D space. In this paper, we have designed and developed an Augmented Reality (AR) based application-GeoSolvAR, that targets middle school students for improving their visualization skills. Learning activities in GeoSolvAR build on theoretical foundations of Predict-Observe-Explain (POE) strategy to teach the concepts of 3D views like the top, the side and the front view. This paper also reports results and observations obtained from a qualitative pilot study conducted on four 7th grade students. Purpose of the study was to know students' perception of GeoSolvAR's role in helping them visualize 3D solids and to encounter challenges faced by them while interacting with GeoSolvAR.