Popar Smart Puzzles
Embedded Files
Products graciously provided by Popar
I reached-out to several companies to see if they could offer any of their materials as part of our continued AR research, assessment, and review project. Popar was kind enough to provide the two Smart Puzzles which I will discuss below - free of charge. This assessment is intended to be an objective review of augmented reality content and functionality as well as educational value. It is not necessarily an endorsement of the product itself. I used an Apple iPad and Samsung tablet for this review.
Popar Smart Puzzles - AR Material Review
Tim Scapin, AREA
February 25, 2021
Each Popar Smart Puzzle works in conjunction with the Interactive Smart Puzzle app. I first chose Human Anatomy puzzle which is 19" in width by 14" height, consisting of 150 pieces. It presents itself as a traditional puzzle in appearance. I found 150 pieces to be a good size. The process of routinely checking the image on the box helped to reinforce the content it presents. The main difference between the Popar puzzle and those of the past is when the last piece is laid, the real exploration begins. App content can be accessed by entering the serial key, which is located on the inside of the puzzle's box.
The layout of the puzzle centers around an image of the human body. The mat layout centers around a image of the human body. That image is flanked by images of the different systems as well as a sampling of components of those systems; heart, skull, spleen. When viewed through the user's device, the center image comes to life in AR form as a model of the human body raises-up from the mat in a ring of light. Each system possesses different elements which can also be viewed in AR form. Each can be viewed as a whole, or as parts - head, trunk (to include chest), arm, and leg. Models can appear with or without its parts labeled. A male and female version of each model is present as well. Brief information for each system is presented and a narrator will read-aloud the title by touching a small button.
The app offers content to be viewed in a VR mode. A Build Digital Puzzle option appears in the main menu. Users can choose from five images: the Human Body (same as the puzzle), A Look Inside, Intestines, the Heart, and X-Ray. Each puzzle can be assembled in digital form on the user's device. I was able to choose a task as simple as six total pieces or take-on a challenge with a three hundred piece pursuit. My construction progress was tracked by a scoreboard tracking moves, remaining pieces, pieces placed, and percentage completed. I could have a 'preview' overlaid onto the footprint of the puzzle as well as have all my edge pieces removed from the virtual table. A timer ticked away as set my pieces in place.
This is another case where Popar uses augmented reality to compliment an educational experience - rather than AR acting as the centerpiece. The layout of the puzzle and the process of assembly alone creates a great learning opportunity. It's straight-forward and not overdone. The great puzzle married with a well-developed app creates a solid - digitally enhanced exercise. The layout of the puzzle is exactly the same as the Human Anatomy Smart Mat, yet the app content for the puzzle is a little less comprehensive - lacking some non-AR functionality. I found AR content to be well-designed and stable. I was able to rotate models, zoom in/out, and adjust my point of view. As a whole, this Smart Puzzle provided an enjoyable experience.
This Popar Smart Puzzle works in conjunction with the Interactive Smart Puzzle app. The Undersea puzzle is also 19" in width by 14" height, consisting of 150 pieces. It presents itself as a traditional puzzle in appearance. I found 150 pieces to be a good size. App content can be accessed by entering the serial key, which is located on the inside of the puzzle's box. The mat layout is anchored by a shark with smaller sea creatures to its side. The top and bottom of the puzzle are each lined with five different animals; shark, stingray, clownfish, sea turtle, seahorse, pufferfish, dolphin, octopus, and orca. The material presented on the puzzle is limited to reinforcing the recognition of the ten sea creatures. No other information is present. Once the puzzle was assembled I grabbed my device and opened the app.
When viewed through the user's device, the puzzle initially triggers an AR model which raises from its center. It's a sunken shipwreck with a shark lurking around. Choosing each creature activates it's own AR model in the center of the puzzle. Each is accompanied by a unique undersea landscape. Touching the AR model on my screen led me to a new screen where I could view a 3D model. Removable labels appeared marking anatomical features and information was presented that I could read myself or have a friendly narrator read aloud. The app offers content to be viewed in a VR mode. This app offered the Build a Puzzle where I could choose from five different options: Undersea, Octopus, Pufferfish, Shark, and Turtle. The set-up is exactly the same as those found in Human Anatomy. I could choose the number of pieces and track my progress as the pieces were placed.
What the layout of the puzzle lacked in great educational content, was found within the app. For this puzzle, the heavy lifting was being done by the app. That's where the meat of the learning takes place. Of course, there is redeemable value in the process of constructing the puzzle itself. I'm really not a 'puzzle person', but I found the Popar Smart Puzzle to be fun - especially since I pieced them together with my son. The AR models are solid in design and stable. I was able to rotate each model, zoom in/out, and adjust my point of view. Overall, another fine AR material produced by Popar.
Smart Puzzles are available on the Popar website for $14.99 (USD) each.
The apps are available in both the Apple App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android).
Popar Awards
Popar Undersea Smart Puzzle
Disclaimer
The appearance of products, companies, manufacturers, or apps in articles, reviews, or posting on AugmentedRealityEducationalApps.com or any site operated in partnership with AugmentedRealityEducationalApps.com (to include social media accounts) does not necessarily mean they are endorsed by AugmentedRealityEducationalApps.com writers or authors. No individual from AugmentedRealityEducationalApps.com received any compensation from any business entity in relation to posting on this site. Any deviation will be conspicuously noted otherwise.Citations / References / Images
https://popartoys.com/https://popartoys.com/products/popar-undersea-smart-puzzlehttps://popartoys.com/products/popar-human-antaomy-smart-puzzlehttps://apps.apple.com/us/app/popar-interactive-puzzle/id945426109Physicists Measured The Central Engine That Powers Solar Flares For The First Time. https://www.sciencealert.com/physicists-have-measured-the-central-engine-that-powers-solar-flares-for-the-first-timePage updated
Google Sites
Report abuse