Making large, encompassing projects with individual, well-identifiable components work in VR classes

In this paper we present our experience applying a new multi-layered project design method to a course on Virtual Reality. We contrast this approach with traditional project methods, based on their respective advantages and disadvantages. We also present the results of the VR course, which was focused on the topic of navigating Virtual Environments. In order to investigate navigation techniques, the students developed a testbed application, including a complete virtual environment built specifically for testing various navigation tasks. The students then developed a toolkit of navigation techniques, developing several new techniques, and evaluated their usability in the developed testbed virtual environment.