Practical work in wave optics allows supporting the construction of knowledge, in particular when the concept to be learned remains diffuse. To overcome the limitations of the current optical experimental setups (e.g. laser risks, complex adjusment, difficult to understand) we have designed Hobit: a hybrid system that combines physical interaction and numerical simulation.

This system relies on 3D-printed replicas of optical elements, which
are augmented with pedagogical information.

 

We here focus on the well-known Michelson interferometer experiment, widely studied in under graduate programs of Science. A 3-months user study with 101 students and 6 teachers showed that, beyond the practical aspects offered by this system, such an approach enhances the technical and scientific learning compared to a standard Michelson interferometer experiment