Extending the Use of Collaborative Virtual Environments for Instruction to K-12 Schools

Research on the development of virtual environments has been limited to date to universities due to the high cost of equipment and high-speed internet access. Applications of virtual environments using CAVE technology are numerous in medicine, architecture, military weapons systems, medicine, science research and business training. However, the cost of this emerging technology has prevented the exploration for using it to enhance learning in the K-12 classroom. Virginia Tech’s University Visualization and Animation Group (UVAG) of the Advanced Communications Information Technology Center (ATITC), successfully developed the CAVETM Collaborative Console (CCC), an overlay of the Electronic Visualization Laboratory (EVL) CAVE-simulator and Limbo. CCC allows users at remote sites to interact in real time with each other at their desktop computers and with users in the Virginia Tech CAVE. This paper describes the features of CCC software, what was learned from a pilot project using the software to deliver a collaborative virtual learning environment to K-12 students in remote locations across Virginia and a perspective on future development of collaborative virtual environments for instruction in K-12 schools. 1.0 CAVETM Collaborative Console: networked shared virtual environment The CAVE TM Collaborative Console (CCC) is a software application that enhances collaboration by networking desktop computers into a shared virtual environment (VE) running a CAVE-simulator. This collaboration can include, but is not limited to, the fully immersive VE of a CAVE. The CCC was created to work with a CAVE. The CAVE is a multi-person, roomsized, high-resolution, 3D video and audio environment, which is shown schematically in Figure 1. In the current configuration, graphics are rear projected in stereo onto three walls and the floor, and viewed with stereo glasses. As a viewer wearing a position sensor and stereo glasses moves within its display boundaries, the correct perspective and † Paper submitted to inaugural issue of “In>>sight” a journal published by The Institute for the Advancement of Emerging Technologies in Education, P.O. Box 1348, Charleston, West Virginia 2532 TM CAVE is a trademark name of the electronic Visualization Laboratory of the University of Illinois