This thesis establishes Virtual Institutions as a comprehensive software engineering technology for the development of 3D Virtual Worlds that require normative regulation of participants’ interactions (such as the commercially-oriented Virtual Worlds). 3D Virtual Worlds technology currently offers somewhat unregulated environments without means to enforce norms of behavior and interaction rules...

The rapid developments in the field of online threedimensional (3D) virtual worlds have considerable impact on education activities. Therefore, the 3D designers and teachers start to consider the interaction between design and usability of 3D virtual learning spaces as essential tool for educational systems. For the purpose of our research, a virtual learning space was created as a chemistry cl...

Digital natives demand a more active approach to learning. Moreover, the acquisition and assessment of competencies, rather than the mere transmission of information, is becoming more relevant in the Knowledge Society. 3D virtual worlds are a promising environment to meet both of these requirements. In a 3D virtual world, learners are immersed in a rich environment that allows them to have an a...

Virtual worlds such as Second Life provide new possibilities for computer-mediated communication, cooperation and learning because of their three-dimensional (3D)-environment and because of their enhanced interaction techniques. Based on the specific charateristics of virtual worlds, immersive perceptions can be supported, From a didactical perspective, these characteristics greatly support inn...

There is a growing awareness of virtual 3D worlds such as Second Life and Sun Wonderland within the general population. Virtual 3D worlds are no longer just for the stereotypical geek. By 2011 it is estimated that about 80% of active Internet users will have an “avatar” and a “second life” in some form of virtual world environment. The current virtual world environment is utilized widely as a k...

Purpose –This paper reports on a study into how a threedimensional (3D) virtual world (Second Life) can facilitate socialisation and team working amongst students working on a team project at a distance. This models the situation in many commercial sectors where work is increasingly being conducted across time zones and between multiple teams. Collaboration in these geographically distributed t...

Virtual 3D worlds are gaining popularity among the general population and the virtual world environment is widely used particularly by the younger generations as a knowledge and social tool. In recent years, universities have conducted experiments with the use of virtual 3D worlds for teaching and learning. Virtual 3D worlds are no longer just for the stereotypical geek. By 2011 it is estimated...

Range and vision sensors are used to capture virtual reality models of a robot cell, its manipulation objects and environment. The captured models are used to develop and test user programs for the cell without using the cell itself. Finally, the user programs are downloaded into the cell and veriied. INTRODUCTION As virtual reality (VR) systems improve in performance attention is turning towar...

With the increased popularity of virtual worlds, hundreds of thousands of people from different physical locations can join virtual worlds. In this computer-based simulated 3D environment, avatars can both interact with each other and the environment. This new type of world has important implications for business, education, and society at large. In order to fully use the benefits of virtual wo...

Received: 6 August 2003 Revised: 3 September 2003 Accepted: 12 September 2003 Abstract This paper presents a visualization tool set that can be used to visualize the evolution of three-dimensional (3D) virtual environments, the distribution of their virtual inhabitants over time and space, the formation and diffusion of groups, the influence of group leaders, and the environmental and social in...