3D Meiotic Division - Interview with the developer of a fantastic app

Did you have any prior development or coding experience?

Yes, we are a team from La Serena University, Chile, called LIITEC ULS consist of academics, software engineers, and graphic designers; together we have developed phone apps with educational purposes, mainly on display augmented reality.

One of these apps, called “3D Meiotic Division” allows learning about this process of cellular reproduction. Also, we developed the app “3D Atomic Model”, available on online stores, to learn about the history of atomic models and concepts of natural science.

What was the most challenging aspect of developing mobile app?

The biggest challenge was representing all the processes, especially the meiotic division, which is highly complex. This process is traditionally taught in 2D, with microscope images, photographs, gif, and videos, but actually, it’s a tri-dimensional process. The actual challenge was to represent correctly the process with 3D models, consider the position and trajectory of the different components involved since is highly dynamic.

It was a hard work of co-construction along with college teachers experts on molecular biology and genetic. We validate the app, technically and on aspects of uses with a large group of students and teachers from schools and colleges.

_LIITEC-ULS

The Laboratory of Research and Technological Innovation for Science Education of the University of La Serena (LIITEC-ULS) is an academic initiative that produces Educational Technology Resources (RTE).

Name a few of your favorite apps and reason you love them.

One of our favorite apps is “The tortoise and the Hare” from Arloon company (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTQkkhlFzUo). Currently, it is not available at stores, but when we started the development of the educative apps, it really was a source of inspiration. One thing that we like the most is to color the scenes and then look at the story on augmented reality. It’s fascinating.

How long have you been working on this app?

We worked for about 2 years before getting an app for its publication on May 2019. Since 2017 we have been working on technical aspects, uses and the necessary trials while we worked along with teachers and experts on the approval from the biological content and educational design of worksheets.

We are permanently improving different aspects of the app.

What need of the user did you have in mind when developing this app?

The meiotic division learning, as many subjects of biology, can be improved if it is supported with augmented reality since today’s technology allows mobile devices interact with tridimensional models, it helps to improve the learning experience allowing analyze the phenomena from a different point of view and offers the user an outstanding experience of the media improved digitally.

In what way do you think your app is better than similar apps on the market? Please describe in detail what innovation you think you bring and what you are proud of in your app.

Our app is not just another app. It doesn’t pretend to show a molecular process on augmented reality, but instead, expect to be a learning tool that motivates teachers and students from schools and colleges to embrace the technology on teaching-learning processes.

Another aspect as important as the Apps is the Worksheets which go through accurate scientific and educational validation processes, and it is widely used by teachers and students from schools and colleges from several countries. Worksheets are written in simple biological language; therefore it can be used by any person interested in learning biology.

Moreover, to improve the educational experience, we design physical markers consistent with the digital models from the app. Besides, to benefit its use, the App is free and it is written in three languages because the meiotic division is a subject taught on different educational systems from all over the world.

What are your future plans and expected features of the coming new versions of this app?

We have planned minor updating and maintenance, also we want to elevate the interaction with users on 3D models. Currently, we are making other improvements for phone apps on augmented reality.

Assuming new users of your app are reading this page. What do you want to ask them to do (contact you about X, Share the app, etc.)?

LIITEC ULS is a laboratory of technological innovationwhich is part of La Serena University, Chile, if you have anything to ask or make comments about you can reach us at [email protected] in our website https://liitec.userena.cl/or on Instragram @liiteculs.