Tutorial Slides

  Tutorial Slides

  Tutorial Slides

External Interaction Management of VRML Scenes for E-Learning Applications
José M. Cubero, Luis Salgado, Jesús Bescós, Francisco Morán, Julián Cabrera, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain

Virtual Training for Manufacturing and Maintenance based on Web3D Technologies
Demis Corvaglia, University of Udine, Italy

WebTOP: A 3D Interactive System for Teaching and Learning Optics
Matthew Morris, John T. Foley, Taha Mzoughi, Mississippi State University, USA

A Java3D-based tool for development of virtual robotic environments
Eleonora Fantini, Monica Reggiani, Stefano Caselli, University of Parma, Italy

Abstract: Over 20 years ago, researchers discovered that, for a wide domain of instruction, one-on-one tutoring could achieve a 2-sigma improvement in results, as compared to conventional classroom lecture. Simply put, a two-sigma increase in instructional effectiveness means that a 50th-percentile student taught by an individual tutor will learn at the rate of a 98th-percentile student taught in a traditional classroom setting. Today, using the Web, we have the technology to deliver individualized instruction to any student at any time and place. However, the effectiveness of this instruction seldom approaches that of one-on-one tutoring. Web3D technology presents many opportunities to address the "2-sigma challenge" by enhancing not only the cognitive, but also the experiential and affective aspects of learning. In this presentation, we speculate on how Web3D may best combine forces with Intelligent Tutoring Systems and other instructional methodologies to close the 2-sigma gap.

  Keynote Slides

Edward M. Sims has been a leader in the use of computer simulation technologies to provide advanced human interfaces since 1975. Prior to co-founding Vcom3D, Inc., he provided technical leadership for networked visual simulation as Technical Director for GE Aerospace and Lockheed Martin Information Systems Co. As Chief Technology Officer for Vcom3D, Dr. Sims leads the development of "intelligent" 3D virtual humans that communicate through natural language, are animated and rendered in real-time on low-cost personal computers, and that provide sufficient fidelity to support real-time visual communications by signing, gesture, and facial expression. Dr. Sims has been awarded five patents in the areas of visualization and animation. His most recent patent (#6,535,215), entitled "Method for the Animation of Computer-generated Characters", provides a foundation for Vcom3D's "virtual human" technology. Dr. Sims received an B.S. in Mathematics from the College of William and Mary, an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and the Ph.D. in Systems Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1976. Dr. Sims is a member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), the Web3D Consortium, the Humanoid Animation (H-Anim) Working Group, and the Simulation Interoperability Standards Organization (SISO).

Educational Resources and Implementation of a Greek Sign Language Synthesis Architecture
George Caridakis, Kostas Karpouzis, National Technical Univ. of Athens, Greece
Eleni Efthimiou, Institute of Language and Speech Processing, Athens, Greece

Employing Virtual Humans for Education and Training in X3D/VRML Worlds
Lucio Ieronutti, University of Udine, Italy

Web Based Delivery of 3D Developmental Anatomy
Harry Brenton, Juan Hernandez, Fernando Bello, Paul Strutton, Tony Firth, Ara Darzi, Imperial College London, UK

Adapting Multimedia Information Association in VRML Scenes for E-Learning Applications
Enrique Estalayo, Luis Salgado, Francisco Morán, Julián Cabrera, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain

A virtual reality user interface for learning in 3D environments
George Katsionis, Maria Virvou, University of Piraeus, Greece

Peter Schickel, Bitmanagement Gmbh

Rimvydas Krasauskas, Vilnius University