Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

Virtual Reality
a joke
or
reality?
CrystalGaudry,TammieLyneAubin,
ColleneArmstrong,SteffenTweedle

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

Review of CMC
Key Terms in CMC
Computer Mediated Communication (CMC)
Asynchronous Communication
Synchronous Communication (real time or live)
Electronic Mail Systems (which can be further classified as push
or pull systems)
Threaded Discussion Forums (can also be classified as
push or pull systems)

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

Types of Asynchronous CMC systems

Electronic Pen pals (interpersonal communication)
Individual and Cooperative Research Projects (gather
and/or share information from and with on-line
sources)
Electronic Mentoring (on-line subject matter experts)
Parallel Problem Solving (remote classes working on
similar problem sets)
Electronic Field Trips (e.g. Virtual Field Trips via the
WWW)
Group Development of Products (e.g. chain letters,
stories, scripts, multimedia constructions)
Social Action Projects (e.g. peace projects, social
issues)

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

Types of Synchronous CMC Systems

a) Online Chat
plain text chat(one to one)
plain text chat (one or many to many)
audio chat (one to one)
audio chat (one to many)
ability to moderate, lead discussions through
technological methods
shared whiteboards / multimedia capabilities

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

b) Multi-User Dimension (MUD) and

Multi-Object Oriented (MOO)
living verbal environments - you can become
anything you want (or not)
time consuming to up-keep (like mingling at a big
wedding)
text only (telnet) and graphical/sound environments
band-width and technology constraints

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

c) Virtual Synchronous Classrooms

Centra System
Centra eMeeting Trial Service
Vclass
LearnLink

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

Virtual Environments and Virtual Reality

Attributes of Virtual Environments:
Computer-generated representations of real or imaginary environments;
Experienced as three-dimensional via a number of senses - visual, aural
and/or tactile;
Objects within these environments are independent of the user and can
display real world behavior;
The user or users have autonomous control - the freedom to navigate
and interact with objects, using a number of different viewpoints;
Interaction occurs in real-time; and the users experience feelings of
presence and/or immersion.

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

Why Virtual Reality in Education?

VR makes it possible to:
Visualize and manipulate things that you cannot see in the real
world
Take on different perspectives
Visualize 3D concepts
Interact in real time
Explore dangerous situations
Present realistic or abstract scenarios
Promote different learning styles and teaching methods

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

Click on Pictures to Link to sites

Educational Virtual Reality

AS Interactive Project

Additional Links: Virtual Reality Resources

VR and Visualization - AlanDix(StaffordshireUniversity)

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

What is VR?
emulating the real world
making an electronic world seem real
Interactive
not static 3D images
not movies
moving within the world
manipulating objects in the world

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

In or out?
flight simulator ** in **
desktop metaphor - folders, trash ** out **
point and click adventure games ** ? **

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

Types of VR?
Desktop VR
ordinaryscreen,mouseorkeyboardcontrol
polemousmouse,steeringwheel,joystick
Immersive VR
helmet/goggles,dataglove
bodysuit,trampoline
Physical world/VR mixes

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

VR Headsets
small TV screen for each eye
slightly different angles
3D effect

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

Betwixt the Two

sit upon games
motorbike(bikemoves)
ski(wind,skismove,etc.)
simplecontrols
go within
virtualrollercoaster
aircraftcockpit
shipsbridge

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

Inside VR

scenes projected on walls

realistic environment
hydraulic rams!
real controls
other people

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

Applications
simulate dangerous/expensive situations
commandandcontrol,virtualtourism
practicingmedicalprocedures,treatmentof
phobias
see hidden real world features
virtualwindtunnel
visualize complex information
fun !!!

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

Engagement
feeling part of the virtual world
Engage the senses
sight:
visual realism, 3D effects: shadows, etc.
sound:
surround sound, sub-seat woofers, etc.
touch:
haptic and force feedback,
and morewind, burning rubber!

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

Engage the body

realistic devices
movement in the environment
interaction and control of object
rapid feedback - more important than photo realism
Collaborative virtual environments
virtual worlds
multi-participant
able to communicate (text, audio, video)
embodied - avatars

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

Pros and Cons

Pros:
great leveler
anonymity - accountability?
hides disability (email even better).
Cons:
no body language
limited communication
SAD !!!

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

Learning
virtual universities
traditionaldistancelearning+CDROM,video
email,bulletinboards
IRC/TCQ/chat
CuSeeMe,videoconferencing
virtualworlds
virtual classroom [video]

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

Of real and virtual

augmented reality
video image on screen
computer tools
video of room/work in progress

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

Immersive Virtual Reality: A Short Introduction

In immersive VR, the user becomes fully immersed in an artificial, threedimensional world that is completely generated by a computer.
The head-mounted display (HMD) was the first device providing its
wearer with an immersive experience. HMD houses two miniature
display screens and an optical system that channels the images from the
screens to the eyes, thereby, presenting a stereo view of a virtual world.
A motion tracker continuously measures the position and orientation of
the user's head and allows the image generating computer to adjust the
scene representation to the current view. As a result, the viewer can look
around and walk through the surrounding virtual environment.

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

A variety of input devices like data gloves, joysticks, and hand-held

wands allow the user to navigate through a virtual environment and to
interact with virtual objects. Directional sound, tactile and force feedback
devices, voice recognition and other technologies are being employed to
enrich the immersive experience and to create more "sensualized"
interfaces.

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

Characteristics of Immersive VR
The unique characteristics of immersive virtual reality can be
summarized as follows:
Head-referenced viewing provides a natural interface for the navigation in
three-dimensional space and allows for look-around, walk-around, and flythrough capabilities in virtual environments.
Stereoscopic viewing enhances the perception of depth and the sense of
space.
The virtual world is presented in full scale and relates properly to the
human size.
Realistic interactions with virtual objects via data glove and similar
devices allow for manipulation, operation, and control of virtual worlds.
The convincing illusion of being fully immersed in an artificial world can be
enhanced by auditory, haptic, and other non-visual technologies.
Networked applications allow for shared virtual environments

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

Virtual Tours:

click here

Research Link: click here

BREAKOUT SESSION HERE

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

Nunavut Distributive Learning - past

Baffin Divisional Board of Education more than 10 years
ago invested in First Class BBS service to link all schools in
the division.
Apple Canada developed an Inuktitut font and
manufactured syllabic and English keyboards. Provided
lots of equipment and resources.
CSILE (Computer Supported Intentional Learning
Environments) functions as a collaborative learning
environment and a communal database, with both text and
graphics capabilities.This networked multimedia
environment lets students generate nodes containing an
idea or piece of information relevant to the topic understudy.
Developed by OISE (Ontario Institute for Studies in
Education).

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

Nunavut Distributive Learning - present

Technical Issues - Bandwidth
Manycommunitiesdonothaveaccesstohigh
speedbandwidth.
Communityaccesstotheinternetthrough
librariesschools.
Federalgovernmentwillbeprovidingannex
satelliteaccesswithinthenext5years.
Someschoolssettingupdialupserverservicefor
theircommunity.
Currentdistanceeducationprogrampaperbased
Albertacorrespondence.

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

Nunavut Distributive Learning - student base

Student Profile
Englishasasecondlanguage
Visualandtactilepredominantlearningstyle.
Experienceworkingelectronicallyinboth
languages.

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

Nunavut Distributive Learning - environment

Challenges
Multiplestakeholdersinvolvedinanylearning
projectsomeofwhichdonotspeakEnglish
CommunityandElderparticipationandapproval
required
Communication,Languageandtranslationissues
Stakeholdersanddevelopersarespreadacross
greatdistances.
Technicalissuesofsharingfiles,informationand
workingwithmaterialsinanotherlanguage.

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

Nunavut Distributive Learning - current projects

Grade 2 Inuktitut Grammar Games
Inuktitutistheprimarylanguageofinstruction
forelementarystudents.
Thisinteractiveprogramsupportsthegrade2
Inuktitutlanguagecurriculumfocusingonthefinal
syllabicsofwords.
Deliverysystemwillbeinteractivewebsiteand
standaloneCDROMforbothwindowsandMac.
WorkingwithcurriculumdevelopersandElders
fromNunavutDepartmentofEducation.

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

Grade 2 Inuktitut Grammar Games - Introduction

Inuktitutaudiosupport

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

Grade 2 Inuktitut Grammar Games - Inuksuk Guide

AnimatedInuksukistheguideandteacherforthecourse.

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

Grade 2 Inuktitut Grammar Games - Units

Coursecontainsthreeunitseachwithastoryandlesson.

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

Grade 2 Inuktitut Grammar Games - Elder Story

Theunitstorycontainsthevocabularywhichwill
beusedinthelesson

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

Grade 2 Inuktitut Grammar Games - Grammar Lesson

Thelessonincludeanimationandaudiosupport.

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

Grade 2 Inuktitut Grammar Games - Activity

Theactivityoffersthestudentanopportunityforself
evaluation.Teacherswillalsoprovideworksheetsbased
onthesecharactersforadditionalsupport.

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

Grade 8 - Social Studies Interactive CD-ROM/website

Thisprojectwillbeproducedasastandalonecoursein
bothEnglishandInuktitut.Itcanbedistributedthrough
thewebwhenhighbandwidthbecomesavailable.

Steffen,Colleen,Tammie,Crystal

Nunavut Distributive Learning - future

The Nunavut Department of Education is committed to
developing online and CD-ROM based curriculum
materials in both English and Inuktitut.

These project need to be expanded to include more than

one dialect of Inuktitut. There are presently at least three
dialects used in the different regions.
Distribution will become easier as access becomes reality.