3DMD AR App Field Test Research Project
3D Molecular Designs is conducting research on the usability and learning gains of our new smartphone augmented reality application.
Purpose of Research
The main purpose of this study is to assess the usability and learning gains of a high school biology focused augmented reality (AR) application. This study will help us determine how easy it is for people like you and your students to use the app and how easy it is to use mobile devices to enhance your teaching with our models.
Protocol
Educators will facilitate their students in using the augmented reality application and completing a series of short activities. These activities might include an AR training activity, training activity survey, digital AR activities, and pre-test/post-test. Students will use their own smartphones, or school-provided tablets.
Educators will be randomly assigned to either the control or treatment group. In the control group, educators will conduct their typical educational activities on the topics being assessed. They will administer the pre- and post-tests around their normal instruction. Educators in the treatment group will administer the pre-test, conduct their typical educational activities in addition to having their students complete the AR activities, and then will administer the post-test.
Before facilitating this field test, educators will receive basic training in how to access the training activity and survey, as well as how to properly facilitate student participation. They will learn how to explain the study to students, how to notify students of their option to not participate, and how to provide non-participating students with alternative activities.
After completing the tasks, educators will be asked to provide feedback by responding to a survey and open-ended questions.
Eligibility
Participation is limited to educators who teach a 1st-year high school biology class during the 2023-24 school year and who have at least 2 years' experience using 2 or more of the following products:
In addition, participating educators must secure a letter of support for the research from their administrator.
If you do not meet these criteria, but are still interested in field testing opportunities, please complete the form here.
Timeline
- April 1 – 30th, 2023 Applications open with rolling acceptance
- July 1st, 2023 Administrator Letter of Support Due
- August 15th, 2023 Field Test Training Webinar (recording available after event)
- August 15 – September 30, 2023 Training Activity & Usability Study
- November 1, 2023 – March 30, 2024 Education Activities Study
Benefits
On completion of the study, educators will be provided with their choice of a $100 Visa Gift Card or a $150 3D Molecular Designs Gift Certificate.
Potential Risks
This research is no more than minimal risk. The level of risk is expected to be the same as risks of daily life.
IRB
Pearl IRB has determined this research project to be Exempt according to FDA 21 CFR 56.104 and 45CFR46.104(b)(1): (1) Educational Research on 03/28/2022.
Participating schools must provide a letter of support from an administrator, and participating teachers must sign an Informed Consent Form. Since this study involves typical educational practices, the parents of participating students will not be asked to sign informed consent forms.
Contact
Principle Investigators: Heather Ryan, heather.ryan@3dmoleculardesigns.com
Mark Hoelzer, mark.hoelzer@3dmoleculardesigns.com
Coordinator: Ruth Hutson, ruth.hutson@3dmoleculardesigns.com
Funding
Research is supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R44GM142331. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.