Motion Capture Systems and Their Use in Educational Research: Insights from a Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Motion capture is gaining significance in educational research. Different motion capture systems (MCSs) are used in educational research for different purposes and in different ways, which creates a diversity that is difficult to monitor. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of MCSs and their uses in educational research addressing primary and secondary school education. We conducted a systematic review focusing on the types of MCSs and the concrete systems being used, looking at how they are used, the purposes of their use, the aims and the research questions under investigation, the subjects/topics addressed in the studies, the locations/places of use, the potential benefits of using MCSs perceived by the researchers, and the underlying theories of movement. Based on n = 20 studies focusing on primary and secondary school education identified in our database search, we found that these studies mainly used optical MCSs. Furthermore, we identified three main purposes of their use: to directly support the learning process of students, as analysis tools, or for developing tutoring systems that support students in their learning. This paper gives insights into the use of MCSs in educational research and provides a springboard for further research using MCSs in educational research.