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VIRTUAL REALITY AS A TOOL FOR EDUCATION
 

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This page last updated on 99.09.16

Welcome to the synopsis of my presentation that was originally given at the New Frontiers Conference in Toronto, February 21, 1997, and subsequently given in Lancaster Pennsylvania March 11 1998. This presentation was for educators of all disciplines to give them an idea of the possibilities for using VRML as a tool to develop projects in the classroom. I am a firm believer that we are already seeing the evolution of the Internet as a new form of communication, one that it already is evolving from its static, textual roots into a new horizon in human thought, communication and information processing, (actually it is 3D...just like the world we live in!)

I believe virtual reality or VR, the concept of modeling or simulating 3D worlds (real or imaginary) with interactive computer technology, is the model for how we will view the world of information and communicate with other people in this new media centric world. And VRML, the language of Internet based VR, with the democratic simplicity of HTML, is a great stepping stone into the new world. Happy surfin', and we'll meet you on the other side....

VIRTUAL REALITY AS A TOOL FOR EDUCATION

Michael A. Scott. B.Sc., B.Ed.
[formerly] Department Head, Design and Technology
St. Peter High School
Orleans, Ontario

WHAT IS VR

    Virtual Reality (VR) is the major element in the field of simulation, the representation of reality through synthetic means. Simulation of reality is a multi-billion dollar industry, covering such needs as military training, aerospace flight training and testing, modeling and prototyping of engineering products, and even the entertainment industry. Training students in the methodology of VR prepares them for a wealth of career opportunities in the 21st century.

  • Virtual Reality: modeling 3D worlds (real or imaginary) with interactive computer technology
  • can include immersive VR using 3D glasses, data gloves, vision systems, head gear,
  • but also includes representing 3D worlds on computer screens
  • the force of VR is Internet based

WHY THE INTERNET?

  • The Internet represents the greatest change in our society since the printed word.
  • The world our students face is and will be totally different from ours.
  • The Internet...(or it's successor)... is the medium which will define the 21st century.
  • The Internet or Information SuperHighway is:
    • the ultimate democratic tool
    • the ultimate communications tool
    • the ultimate educational tool
  • The Internet is why you have computers
  • VR is the natural progression for the way we interface with information
  • VRML is the HTML of the 21st century

WHAT IS VRML?

  • Virtual Reality Modeling Language
  • description language for three dimensional "worlds"
  • can be viewed by any Internet capable computer
  • uses simple orthogonal XYZ axis for placing objects
  • uses primitives and facial triangulation for creating objects
  • uses axial or matrix transformations for object deformations
  • objects can have textures, colors, material properties
  • scenes include lights, cameras, hyperlinks
  • VRML 1.0 specs approved in 1995
  • VRML 2.0 (Moving Worlds) specs approved August 1996
  • much software currently in beta as vendors re-tool for VRML 2.0
  • VRML 2.0 scenes can include motion, animation, 3D sound, Java
  • objects in VRML 2.0 can have proximity sensors, model "behaviours"

WHAT CAN VR BE USED FOR?

  • Virtual Earth
    • map globes of real time weather data, satellite info. Useful for planetary management, environmental studies and ecosystem science
  • Virtual Mars
    • map and analyze the wealth of data that will be developed over the next decade from flotilla of Mars probes
  • Virtual Systems
    • model systems such as ecosystems for analysis
  • Virtual Science
    • model chemical reactions and molecules, physical phenomenon, data visualization
  • Virtual Industries
    • model processes, transportation, flow real time
  • Virtual Flight Control
    • viewing airspace in 3D
  • Virtual Information Banks
    • using 3D visual clues to direct people to repositories of information
  • Virtual Malls
    • viewing products in 3D
  • Virtual Meeting Places
    • natural way to meet people from all over the world in real time
VR picture from Moondo
 Scotty and a few folks around the world get our 1st virtual picture taken by a guy in France. This was Intel's experimental "Camino" MUD. Click to see full picture of interface.

 

  • Virtual Design
    • model products, architecture or machines and fly through them for analysis and redesign
  • Virtual Architecture
    • buildings, interiors, land use planning, urban development, services infrastructure
  • Virtual History
    • modeling ancient structures, villages
  • Virtual Art
    • manipulate sculptures, visit the Louvre
  • Virtual Gaming
    • from Quake to simulation games
  • Virtual Engineering
    • FEA, tele-robotics
  • Virtual Education
    • science, math, technology, art, history, geography, etc…..

UPSIDE OF VRML

  • virtually free
  • easy to learn
  • quick to build simple worlds
  • integrated math/science/technology/art/design

DOWNSIDE OF VRML

  • vendors "twisting" standards
  • VRML 2.0: more complex coding
  • horsepower/bandwidth required for viewing worlds
  • still not accepted as a "critical" medium

VRML CONCEPTS

  • any text editor can be used to create worlds
  • VRML uses the concept of generic units for measurement
  • angles are measured in radians
  • precision can be specified up to 12 decimal places
  • automatic Boolean subtraction
  • to place a node other than at 0,0,0, you move and/or rotate the axis first
  • generally, you set properties such as materials or colors, than create the node(s) to use those properties
  • colors specified in RGB fractional units from 0.0 to 1.0 (0.0, 0.0, 0.0 = black, 1.0, 1.0, 1.0 = white)
  • separation groups are used to isolate property changes
  • Internet protocols can be hyperlinked to objects or object parts (mapping)

VRML VOCABULARY

  • World: any VRML file, (extension: .wrl)
  • Scene Graphs: the screen image
  • Nodes: shapes and their properties
  • Fields: optional definition of node attributes
  • Primitives: cube, cylinder, sphere, cone, text
  • Transforms: translation, rotation, scaling of axis
  • Textures: details or images mapped on to surfaces
  • Behaviours: object properties such as proximity sensors
  • avatars: images or objects representing the user
  • MUD/MOO: Multi user environments

VRML PLACES TO VISIT
 

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