Title: Rose coloured glasses: VR and the opportunities for humane education

Authors: Anne Elizabeth O'Brien

Addresses: 145 Fanshaw St., Thunder Bay, ON P7C 5Y4, Canada

Abstract: An abundance of research and resources can be found on the web for the teaching and learning of humane education. Lacking are the rich experiences necessary to engage the learner. This paper documents the first stage of a research plan aimed at designing a virtual reality experience in humane education. This stage of the plan spans from conception through to creation of a web prototype, using the virtual reality modelling language (VRML), of an environment in which the human participant experiences the life of a captive animal. The paper is presented in four main parts. Part I, ||setting the scene||, provides an overview of the research plan, the inspiration behind the research and background information on VR and current research and projects. Part II, ||rehearsal|, describes opportunities and challenges in using a web-based 3D (web3D) technology like VRML to produce a prototype for a VR environment, further opportunities and challenges unique to web3D environments and inspiration discovered through experimentation. Part III, ||critical revue||, summarises the findings in this preliminary stage of research and outlines opportunities and potential for current and subsequent research projects. Part IV, ||future productions||, focuses on accessibility with a look at the opportunities available now and those on the horizon with regard to VR and VRML technologies.

Keywords: humane education; virtual reality; VRML; immersion.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCEELL.2003.003273

International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, 2003 Vol.13 No.3/4, pp.289 - 302

Published online: 07 Aug 2003 *

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