Universitetet I Bergen

Department of Media Studies

Project Coordinator
Rune Smistad
rune.smistad@media.uib.no

Leif Ove Larsen

World Name: MediaVR
 

Project Description

The project seeks to examine the usability of a technology that until now has hardly been used in teaching, that of synthetic multi-user environments. The technology of broadband makes prescience in a high quality, three dimensional surrounding a possibility, even with a large number of users. This opens up new possibilities concerning in collaborative engagements, problem based learning and the visualization of elements within the field of study. By choosing the technological platform of Active Worlds we also enable a higher degree of user participation/interaction, by letting the participants define their own user environments / surroundings. This is simply done by building / designing three dimensional models and objects in the landscape, and by making advanced interaction with these objects possible. This means tweaking the obvious uses of Active Worlds in a creative way. The new functions in version 3.1 (and later) of AW is what will make this project possible. As a preliminary phase there will be designed a prototype for concept based problem solving / learning (sound laboratorium), and testing of dynamic information services for students and employees. These solutions demand a net access of at least 2MB per second. The preliminary project will furthermore examine other advanced web solutions where the 3D technology can be integrated with, so as to enable the distribution of essential activities at the institute (lectures, group work, guidance / tutoring, project based work) using the internet. The preliminary project intends to define the specific terms and qualifications which are needed, and then suggest technological solutions that can offer video conferences, lectures over the net, tools for collaborative groups and project session for text and creative management. We have already bought a Galaxy Server, on which we plan to do all the research and development. This AWEDU world (MediaVR) is supposed to be a mirror of the best work of that Galaxy Server, to use as a showroom in dialog with institutions participating in AWEDU, and others browsing the AWEDU universe, to get feedback and share knowledge.