Expansion of the Next-Generation Educational Applications “C-mkr” and “A-txt” Across Multiple Platforms and Their Implementation in Educational Settings

This paper describes the development and implementation of Active Textbook System (A-txt) and Contents Maker (C-mkr), two augmented reality (AR)-based educational applications for smart devices. A-txt enables markerless AR interactions with printed text and images, turning traditional paper-based materials into interactive digital content. C-mkr serves as an authoring tool that allows users to freely create and manage AR content linked to printed media. The system supports both cloud and local operation and has been extended to run on Windows and Head-Mounted Displays (HMDs), enhancing its accessibility across platforms. The system was applied in two college-level courses, where students used it to annotate instructional materials and view AR-enhanced content. Questionnaire surveys revealed generally positive responses in usability, engagement, and perceived learning effectiveness. Students also provided constructive feedback regarding technical issues such as system stability and UI design. Open-ended responses highlighted the novelty and flexibility of the system and suggested its potential value across diverse educational settings.