User-Centered Design Approach in Mobile AR: Application for Hydrocarbon Visualization in Chemistry Course

This study addresses the challenges in high school chemistry education, particularly in understanding hydrocarbon compounds, by designing a Mobile Augmented Reality (MAR) application using the User-Centered Design (UCD) method. The research focuses on enhancing the visualization of submicroscopic and symbolic aspects of chemistry, which students often find abstract and complex. Through iterative design processes involving teachers and students, the study developed an interactive MAR application that displays virtual ball-and-stick models of hydrocarbon compounds. The application was evaluated using the User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ), measuring six aspects of user experience: attractiveness, perspicuity, efficiency, dependability, stimulation, and novelty. Results showed significant improvements across all dimensions from the initial to the final iteration, with five out of six scales achieving "Excellent" ratings in the final version. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of UCD in creating an engaging and user-friendly educational tool, highlighting the potential of MAR technology to address longstanding challenges in chemistry education. The positive user perceptions suggest that when designed carefully considering user needs, MAR applications can significantly enhance the chemistry learning experience for high school students.