Title: 3D Collaborative Virtual Environment based e-learning system

Authors: Qingping Lin, Liang Zhang, Sun Ding, Weihua Wang, Ker Sin Neo, Robert Gay

Addresses: Information Communication Institute of Singapore, School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore. ' Information Communication Institute of Singapore, School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore. ' Information Communication Institute of Singapore, School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore. ' Information Communication Institute of Singapore, School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore. ' Information Communication Institute of Singapore, School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore. ' Information Communication Institute of Singapore, School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore

Abstract: 3D visualisation plays an important role in understanding abstract and complex concepts. In this paper, we move one step further by proposing a 3D multiuser collaborative virtual environment (CVE) system for e-learning. It provides an engaging learning environment, where the students and lecturers can collaboratively interact with the 3D e-learning contents, which will response based on law of physics or simulation rules. This would be particularly useful for those subjects that require multiuser collaboration. It also bridges the gap between lecturers and students by providing virtual real-time interactions, thus overcoming the limitations resulted from the distance issue in the Distance Learning.

Keywords: e-learning; collaborative learning; virtual learning environments; 3D virtual classroom; online learning; electronic learning; 3D visualisation; multiuser collaboration; distance learning; distance education.

DOI: 10.1504/IJASS.2010.034111

International Journal of Applied Systemic Studies, 2010 Vol.3 No.2, pp.211 - 226

Published online: 12 Jul 2010 *

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