Section: New Results

HOBIT

Participants: David Furio, Benoit Coulais, Martin Hachet

Practical work in optics learning allows supporting the construction of knowledge, in particular when the concept to be learned remains diffuse. To overcome the limitations of the current experimental setups, we have designed a hybrid system that combines physical interaction and numerical simulation. This system relies on 3D-printed replicas of optical elements, which are augmented with pedagogical information (see Figure 3). In a first step, we have focused on the well-known Michelson interferometer experiment, widely studied in under graduate programs of Science. A 3-months user study with 101 students and 6 teachers showed that, beyond the practical aspects offered by this system, such an approach enhances the technical and scientific learning compared to a standard Michelson interferometer experiment. A second version of HOBIT is currently being developed. This new version will let us simulate and augment multiple experiments related with optics, like polarization or Young’s interferometer.

A paper presenting HOBIT has been (conditionaly) accepted at ACM CHI 2017.

Figure 3. HOBIT: Hybrid Optical Bench for Innovative Teaching