Designing Web-Based Educational Virtual Reality Environments

2010 ◽  
pp. 157-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kosmas Dimitropoulos ◽  
Athanasios Manitsaris
Keyword(s):  
Distance Education ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
World Wide ◽  
Virtual Learning Environments ◽  
Virtual Reality Technology ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Learning Content ◽  
The Web

This chapter aims to study the benefits that arise from the use of virtual reality technology and World Wide Web in the field of distance education, as well as to further explore the role of instructors and learners in such a network-centric mode of education. Within this framework, special emphasis is given on the design and development of web-based virtual learning environments so as to successfully fulfil their educational objectives. In particular, the chapter includes research on distance education on the Web and the role of virtual reality, as well as study on basic pedagogical methods focusing mainly on the efficient preparation, approach and presentation of the learning content. Moreover, specific designing rules are presented considering the hypermedia, virtual and educational nature of this kind of applications. Finally, an innovative virtual reality environment for distance education in medicine, which reproduces conditions of the real learning process and enhances learning through a real-time interactive simulator, is demonstrated.

Study on an Interactive Truck Crane Simulation Platform Based on Virtual Reality Technology

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 64-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Sang ◽  
Yu Zhu ◽  
Honghua Zhao ◽  
Mingyan Tang
Keyword(s):  
Distance Education ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Simulation Platform ◽  
Virtual Reality Technology ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Java Applet ◽  
Remote Training ◽  
Motion Control Mechanism ◽  
Time Restriction

The modern web-based distance education overcomes space-time restriction of the traditional teaching forms. However, being short of specifically observable and operable experimental equipment makes the web-based education lack advantages in the knowledge learning progress, which needs strong stereoscopic effect and operability. Truck crane is the most widely used crane installed on ordinary or tailor-made chassis with strong operability. This paper introduces a kind of interactive truck crane simulation platform based on the virtual reality technology, on which can complete the simulation experiment of the crane's movement. The framework and working principle of the interactive truck crane simulation platform are discussed in the paper, while landing leg and hook are used as an example to show the motion control mechanism of truck crane components. The interactive truck crane simulation platform uses the browser-based structure, Java3D, virtual reality and Java Applet, etc. to develop a Web3D virtual reality learning environment, which has the advantages of good interaction, strong sense of reality, simple update, less investment and so on. This learning environment can meet the needs that many students study online at the same time, so it has important application in the distance education of mechanical profession and remote training of vocational skills.

Using Multimedia and Virtual Reality for Web-Based Collaborative Learning on Multiple Platforms

2011 ◽  
pp. 172-203
Author(s):  
Gavin McArdle ◽  
Teresa Monahan ◽  
Michela Bertolotto
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Mobile Devices ◽  
Synchronous Communication ◽  
Web Based ◽  
3 Dimensional ◽  
Learning Content ◽  
Current State ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Communication Methods

Since the advent of the Internet, educators have realised its potential as a medium for teaching. The term e-learning has been introduced to describe this Internet-based education. Although e-learning applications are popular, much research is now underway to improve the features they provide. For example, the addition of synchronous communication methods and multimedia is being studied. With the introduction of wireless networks, mobile devices are also being investigated as a medium to present learning content. Currently, the use of 3-dimensional (3D) graphics is being explored for creating virtual learning environments online. Virtual reality (VR) is already being used in multiple disciplines for teaching various tasks. This chapter focuses on describing some VR systems, and also discusses the current state of e-learning on mobile devices. We also present the VR learning environment that we have developed, incorporating many of the techniques mentioned above for both desktop and mobile devices.

Usability and Learnability Evaluation of Web-Based ODL Programs

2005 ◽  
pp. 2929-2933
Author(s):  
Karoulis Athanasis ◽  
Pombortsis Andreas
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environments ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
World Wide ◽  
Human Memory ◽  
Educational Approach ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Cognitive Activities ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Associative Organization ◽  
The Web

The rapid establishment of third generation distance learning environments, the so-called Web-based or tele-teaching environments, brought some problems with it. The main means for the delivery of the new educational approach is the World Wide Web, and there are some good reasons for it: It is easily accessible by many groups of learners. It supports multiple representations of educational material and various ways of storing and structuring this information. It is powerful and easy to use as a publishing medium. Additionally, it has been widely accepted that the hyper-medial structure of the Web can support learning. Some researchers characterize the Web as an active learning environment that supports creativity. In addition to this, the Web encourages exploration of knowledge and browsing, behaviors that are strongly related to learning. The associative organization of information in the Web is similar to that of human memory, and the process of information retrieval from the Web presents similarities to human cognitive activities (Tselios, Avouris, Dimitracopoulou, & Daskalaki, 2001). However, a hyper-medial space, like the Web, cannot be considered, only by these features, as an effective tutoring environment. It is rather more appropriate to think of the Web as a powerful tool that can support learning, if used in an appropriate way. This is because learning is a process (Duchastel, 2001) that depends on other features, such as learner’s motivation, previous experience and learning strategies that the individual has been supported to develop, and so forth. Effectiveness of any educational environment cannot be considered independently of these aspects.

Using Multimedia and Virtual Reality for Web-Based Collaborative Learning on Multiple Platforms

2008 ◽  
pp. 733-764
Author(s):  
Gavin McArdle ◽  
Teresa Monahan ◽  
Michela Bertolotto
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Mobile Devices ◽  
Synchronous Communication ◽  
Web Based ◽  
3 Dimensional ◽  
Learning Content ◽  
Current State ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Communication Methods

Since the advent of the Internet, educators have realised its potential as a medium for teaching. The term e-learning has been introduced to describe this Internet-based education. Although e-learning applications are popular, much research is now underway to improve the features they provide. For example, the addition of synchronous communication methods and multimedia is being studied. With the introduction of wireless networks, mobile devices are also being investigated as a medium to present learning content. Currently, the use of 3-dimensional (3D) graphics is being explored for creating virtual learning environments online. Virtual reality (VR) is already being used in multiple disciplines for teaching various tasks. This chapter focuses on describing some VR systems, and also discusses the current state of e-learning on mobile devices. We also present the VR learning environment that we have developed, incorporating many of the techniques mentioned above for both desktop and mobile devices.

The Potential of Distance Education for the Inclusion of Students in Higher Education

2021 ◽  
pp. 379-401
Author(s):  
Carla Freire ◽  
Catarina Mangas ◽  
Rogério Costa ◽  
Adriana Lage Costa
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Distance Education ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Universal Design ◽  
Universal Design For Learning ◽  
Virtual Learning Environments ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Design For Learning

We live in a changing world, where the role of educational institutions is being transformed. The available technologies allow new conditions to access learning; however, as they evolve very fast, sometimes it is challenging to track this evolution regarding the changes that entail to all of us, which may contribute to a digital divide if it is not well addressed. This chapter intends to present distance education as a reliable modality to include students in higher education. For that, it presents the universal design for learning and its crucial role to make inclusive virtual learning environments. Like every modality that exists, there are some challenges that need to be addressed, as well as some benefits that allow to see the potential of this modality to learning, overcoming some adversities that may occur, like the lack of time to go to face-to-face education or even the need of social isolation by risk of getting a disease.

Using Multimedia and Virtual Reality for Web-Based Collaborative Learning on Multiple Platforms

2008 ◽  
pp. 1125-1155
Author(s):  
Gavin McArdle ◽  
Teresa Monahan ◽  
Michela Bertolotto
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Mobile Devices ◽  
Synchronous Communication ◽  
Web Based ◽  
3 Dimensional ◽  
Learning Content ◽  
Current State ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Communication Methods

Since the advent of the Internet, educators have realised its potential as a medium for teaching. The term e-learning has been introduced to describe this Internet-based education. Although e-learning applications are popular, much research is now underway to improve the features they provide. For example, the addition of synchronous communication methods and multimedia is being studied. With the introduction of wireless networks, mobile devices are also being investigated as a medium to present learning content. Currently, the use of 3-dimensional (3D) graphics is being explored for creating virtual learning environments online. Virtual reality (VR) is already being used in multiple disciplines for teaching various tasks. This chapter focuses on describing some VR systems, and also discusses the current state of e-learning on mobile devices. We also present the VR learning environment that we have developed, incorporating many of the techniques mentioned above for both desktop and mobile devices.

Heuristically Evaluating Web-Based ODL

2011 ◽  
pp. 992-997
Author(s):  
Athanasis Karoulis ◽  
Andreas Pombortsis
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environments ◽  
World Wide ◽  
Human Memory ◽  
Educational Material ◽  
Educational Approach ◽  
Web Based ◽  
The World ◽  
Cognitive Activities ◽  
Associative Organization ◽  
The Web

The rapid establishment of third-generation distance learning environments, the so-called Web-based or tele-teaching environments, is nowadays a fact. The main means for the delivery of this new educational approach is the World Wide Web, and there are some good reasons for its use, such as its easy accessibility by many groups of learners. It also supports multiple representations of educational material and various ways of storing and structuring this information, as well as being powerful and easy to use as a publishing medium. Additionally, it has been widely accepted that the hyper-medial structure of the Web can support learning. Some researchers characterize the Web as an active learning environment that supports creativity. In addition to this, the Web encourages the exploration of knowledge and browsing, behaviors strongly related to learning. The associative organization of information in the Web is similar to that of human memory, and the process of information retrieval from the Web presents similarities to human cognitive activities (Tselios, Avouris, Dimitracopoulou, & Daskalaki, 2001).

Using Multimedia and Virtual Reality for Web-Based Collaborative Learning on Multiple Platforms

2007 ◽  
pp. 118-157
Author(s):  
Gavin McArdle ◽  
Teresa Monahan ◽  
Michela Bertolotto
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Mobile Devices ◽  
Synchronous Communication ◽  
Web Based ◽  
3 Dimensional ◽  
Learning Content ◽  
Current State ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Communication Methods

Since the advent of the Internet, educators have realised its potential as a medium for teaching. The term e-learning has been introduced to describe this Internet-based education. Although e-learning applications are popular, much research is now underway to improve the features they provide. For example, the addition of synchronous communication methods and multimedia is being studied. With the introduction of wireless networks, mobile devices are also being investigated as a medium to present learning content. Currently, the use of 3-dimensional (3D) graphics is being explored for creating virtual learning environments online. Virtual reality (VR) is already being used in multiple disciplines for teaching various tasks. This chapter focuses on describing some VR systems, and also discusses the current state of e-learning on mobile devices. We also present the VR learning environment that we have developed, incorporating many of the techniques mentioned above for both desktop and mobile devices.

scholarly journals Educação a distância no Brasil: comentários e desafios pedagógicos no ensino superior

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-38
Author(s):  
Pedro Camargo ◽  
Valdir Lamim-Guedes
Keyword(s):  
Distance Education ◽  
Distance Learning ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
College Education ◽  
Virtual Learning ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Virtual Learning Environments ◽  
Role Of Teachers

RESUMO: O trabalho aqui apresentado se propõe a discutir os rumos da Educação a Distância (EaD) no ensino superior brasileiro, a refletir acerca de suas particularidades, do papel do professor, do tutor, do currículo e das plataformas virtuais ao longo desse processo, além, é claro, do papel do aluno, que deve ser (mas nem sempre é) o ator principal do processo educacional. Para tanto, foi feita uma revisão bibliográfica sobre esses temas, apresentando-se neste artigo a conclusão de que, para um curso em EaD ser bem sucedido, necessita-se principalmente do esforço e da dedicação de cada aluno, além da comunhão de todos os personagens envolvidos.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Educação a Distância (EaD). Ambientes Virtuais de Aprendizagem (AVA). Tutor. Professor.  ABSTRACT: The paper is proposing to discuss the future of the Distance Learning (ODL) in Brazilian college education. It reflects on the particularities of this, the role of teachers, tutors, curriculum and virtual platforms throughout its process. In addition, it also reflects about the students’ role, which should be the main actor on the educational process – but is not always like this. Therefore, we did a literature review on these topics. In conclusion, for a full success on a distance education course, it’s mainly required the effort and dedication of each student, besides the communion of all characters involved.KEYWORDS: Distance Learning (DL). Virtual Learning Environments (EVIDA). Tutor. Teacher.

Study on an Interactive Truck Crane Simulation Platform Based on Virtual Reality Technology

2018 ◽  
pp. 277-292
Author(s):  
Yong Sang ◽  
Yu Zhu ◽  
Honghua Zhao ◽  
Mingyan Tang
Keyword(s):  
Distance Education ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Simulation Platform ◽  
Virtual Reality Technology ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Java Applet ◽  
Remote Training ◽  
Motion Control Mechanism ◽  
Time Restriction

The modern web-based distance education overcomes space-time restriction of the traditional teaching forms. However, being short of specifically observable and operable experimental equipment makes the web-based education lack advantages in the knowledge learning progress, which needs strong stereoscopic effect and operability. Truck crane is the most widely used crane installed on ordinary or tailor-made chassis with strong operability. This paper introduces a kind of interactive truck crane simulation platform based on the virtual reality technology, on which can complete the simulation experiment of the crane's movement. The framework and working principle of the interactive truck crane simulation platform are discussed in the paper, while landing leg and hook are used as an example to show the motion control mechanism of truck crane components. The interactive truck crane simulation platform uses the browser-based structure, Java3D, virtual reality and Java Applet, etc. to develop a Web3D virtual reality learning environment, which has the advantages of good interaction, strong sense of reality, simple update, less investment and so on. This learning environment can meet the needs that many students study online at the same time, so it has important application in the distance education of mechanical profession and remote training of vocational skills.

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