Microsoft kinect for early education

• Main Author: Tan, Haiwang.
• Other Authors: Yap Kim Hui
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Computer science and engineering::Computer applications
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/54253
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

In recent years, human machine interaction is becoming more and more popular among researchers. A lot of new human machine interaction devices have been developed by various companies in the market. Among all these devices, Microsoft Kinect for XBOX 360 sensor is one of the most popular devices because of its vast penetration and great development support from Microsoft. Kinect sensor is applied widely in research field and video games industry. Currently in the market, there are some video games integrated with Kinect sensor for educational use. However, most of these video games are not customizable and reusable. In this project, a brand new interactive learning assistant suite incorporated with gaming mechanics and Kinect sensor was developed. It’s highly customizable and reusable. It can help the teachers in kindergarten or primary school to better engage students through immersive and interactive technology where still following the course syllables or teaching objectives. A video was composed to demonstrate the functionality and possible commercialization of this interactive learning assistant suite. The video can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_TcBL2XpaE This report focuses on the design and development of this interactive learning assistant suite. “Kinedu” which means “Kinect for Education” was used as the project name. Kinedu consists of two parts, Kinedu Client and Kinedu Content Creator. Kinedu Client is an interactive software application incorporated with gaming mechanics and natural user interfaces. It allows the user customized and generated content to be displayed in an immersive and interactive way. Kinedu Content Creator is a desktop application for teachers to customize innovative contents for Kinedu Client according to course syllabus or learning objectives. These contents can be subject related texts, specially designed images to promote positive learning attitude, moral teaching videos, fancy animations created from book stories or any other kind of contents teachers can think of. The project attracts the attention of incubators and several other startup companies. The project is currently enrolled in Microsoft Bizspark Program and in the stage of applying for incubation services.