Title: A mobile application with augmented reality in exploring the natural environment of Hong Kong

Authors: Sin-Chun Ng; Ho-Chun Lee; King-Nam Cheng; Heung-Hang Ngan

Addresses: School of Science and Technology, The Open University of Hong Kong, 30 Good Shepherd Street, Homantin, Hong Kong, SAR, China ' School of Science and Technology, The Open University of Hong Kong, 30 Good Shepherd Street, Homantin, Hong Kong, SAR, China ' School of Science and Technology, The Open University of Hong Kong, 30 Good Shepherd Street, Homantin, Hong Kong, SAR, China ' School of Science and Technology, The Open University of Hong Kong, 30 Good Shepherd Street, Homantin, Hong Kong, SAR, China

Abstract: This paper introduces a mobile educational application using Augmented Reality (AR) called N-Trail for primary students to explore the natural environment of Hong Kong. Students studying in the primary schools in Hong Kong do not have many chances to go for a field trip in the nature parks. It will be beneficial for the students to learn outside of the classroom and explore the beauty of the nature. With the use of N-Trail, primary students can explore the Hong Kong natural environment effectively. N-Trail can provide the nearby flowering plants with the Global Positioning System (GPS) function. Students can take pictures for recognition of different flowering species. The augmented reality model in N-Trail can simulate the growth of the flowering plants. Students can learn more about the flower and insect species found in Hong Kong. User evaluation revealed that N-Trail is a useful and effective tool for primary students to explore the natural environment in Hong Kong.

Keywords: augmented reality; image recognition; mobile application; natural environment of Hong Kong.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMLO.2020.103918

International Journal of Mobile Learning and Organisation, 2020 Vol.14 No.1, pp.3 - 20

Received: 22 Dec 2018
Accepted: 26 Mar 2019
Published online: 02 Dec 2019 *

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