Learning and Teaching Fluid Dynamics using Augmented and Mixed Reality

We have been developing an interactive and multimodal platform to facilitate learning fluid dynamics with the rationale of using an immersive environment as a visualisation medium. Before the pandemic, we used our in-house virtual reality app to teach fluid dynamics (FD), significantly enhancing student engagement. Since the COVID-19 pandemic struck, we have explored AR and MR applications for scaling our remote online and hybrid teaching efforts. The work presented in this paper has two objectives. (i) Provide an AR learning medium for remotely located students. (ii) Provide a student-paced instructional learning medium using MR for the hybrid or onsite students. To achieve this, we describe a methodology in four parts. (i) A computational fluid dynamics data processing and distribution pipeline for generating 3D models for AR and MR. (ii) A platform-independent FD learning platform that uses WebXR for rendering models in AR. (iii) Hololens-based instructional medium in MR for learning FD.(iv) A pedagogy design. We discuss the results of a feasibility study on 18 hybrid learning students to assess the effectiveness of the pedagogy design using MR. We conclude that by using our platform, students can interactively visualise our in-house fluid dynamics models aligned with the course work and acquire knowledge naturally and intuitively.