1. Extending the Limits of CVE' s to Support Collaborative e-Learning Scenarios page 1 ICALT 2002 Extending the Limits of CVEs to Support Collaborative e-Learning Scenarios C. Bouras, and T. Tsiatsos Computer Engineering and Informatics Department, University of Patras and Research Academic Computer Technology Institute, GREECE tsiatsos@cti.gr, ru6.cti.gr

2. page 2 ICALT 2002 Extending the Limits of CVE' s to Support Collaborative e-Learning Scenarios Introduction This paper focuses on: –the use of Collaborative Virtual Environments (CVE) in order to provide collaborative e-learning services –the transformation of well known collaborative learning techniques to collaborative e-learning scenarios –necessary modifications of the CVE in order to support collaborative e-learning services and scenarios

3. page 3 ICALT 2002 Extending the Limits of CVE' s to Support Collaborative e-Learning Scenarios Related technologies for e-learning (1/3) Document-focussed web-based training tools –e.g., Hyperwave eKnowledge Suite, WebCT –Focus on the management of documents and objects Meeting focused tools –Videoconferencing tools (e.g., NetMeeting) and Synchronous training tools (e.g., Centra ympocium) –Focus on frontal learning –Improper for collaborative e-learning because they offer reduced social presence of the participants do not support many concurrent users to be visible at the same time in the same space (usually one person is visible at a time)

4. page 4 ICALT 2002 Extending the Limits of CVE' s to Support Collaborative e-Learning Scenarios Related technologies for e-learning (2/3) 3D-centered tools: –Collaborative Virtual Environments (CVE), e.g., Active worlds, and ParallelGraphics –Advantages regarding collaborative e-learning: nearness and social presence through a shared virtual space populated by avatars support of non-verbal communication through avatar gestures, and facial expressions support of many people at the same time in the same virtual place can simulate tools that are located in a traditional classroom (such as card moderation boards and whiteboards) –Disadvantage: Usually focus on avatar movement and 3D-chat

5. page 5 ICALT 2002 Extending the Limits of CVE' s to Support Collaborative e-Learning Scenarios Related technologies for e-learning (3/3) Therefore CVEs can be used in order to support collaborative e-learning if we overcome their limitations by extending their functionality and focus on collaborative e-learning scenarios

6. page 6 ICALT 2002 Extending the Limits of CVE' s to Support Collaborative e-Learning Scenarios Collaborative learning scenarios Brainstorming/Roundtable Think pair share Jigsaw Quickwrites/Microthemes Structured academic controversies

7. page 7 ICALT 2002 Extending the Limits of CVE' s to Support Collaborative e-Learning Scenarios Proposed functionality (2/2) Technique/ Functionality Appli- cation Sharing Voice Chat Text Chat Whi- spering Brain- storming tool Upload of e-learning material into the 3D shared space Sub- groups of users Brainstorming/ Roundtable Think pair share Jigsaw Quickwrites/ Microthemes Structured academic controversies

8. page 8 ICALT 2002 Extending the Limits of CVE' s to Support Collaborative e-Learning Scenarios Proposed extensions to CVE’s (1/4) Many people with different roles –CVEs should support virtual communities with many concurrent courses and groups of users available –The users should have different roles and rights in each course/group, such as tutor/moderator/learner

9. page 9 ICALT 2002 Extending the Limits of CVE' s to Support Collaborative e-Learning Scenarios Proposed extensions to CVE’s (2/4) More media: e-learning centric view of CVEs instead of –VR centric view –Mixed reality systems –Media centric view

10. page 10 ICALT 2002 Extending the Limits of CVE' s to Support Collaborative e-Learning Scenarios Proposed extensions to CVE’s (3/4) More awareness: –Awareness of other participants: human-like photo-realistic avatars and gestures, mimics –Awareness of objects and actions: Who is talking (3D voice, special icons in the avatar body) Who is chatting (bubble chat) Who is sharing a file, presenting a video

11. page 11 ICALT 2002 Extending the Limits of CVE' s to Support Collaborative e-Learning Scenarios Proposed extensions to CVE’s (4/4) More technology in order to offer: –Scalability, Stability, and Openness –Services such as: application sharing voice and text chat streaming video user and content manipulation

12. page 12 ICALT 2002 Extending the Limits of CVE' s to Support Collaborative e-Learning Scenarios Proposed solution Basic idea: –Divide the processing load of the necessary services in a set of servers: Message server for multi-user VR worlds (virtual classrooms) Streaming server for streaming video Chat server for text chat T.120 server for application sharing Audio server for voice chat Database for user manipulation/content –Use many message servers to support sets of virtual classrooms

13. page 13 ICALT 2002 Extending the Limits of CVE' s to Support Collaborative e-Learning Scenarios Proposed Architecture

14. page 14 ICALT 2002 Extending the Limits of CVE' s to Support Collaborative e-Learning Scenarios The end Thank you for your attention! tsiatsos@cti.gr