Designing Web-Based Educational Virtual Reality Environments - Teaching through Multi-User Virtual Environments - page 157

Chapter 10
Designing Web-Based
Educational Virtual
Reality Environments

Kosmas Dimitropoulos
University of Macedonia, Greece

Athanasios Manitsaris
University of Macedonia, Greece

ABSTRACT

This chapter aims to study the benefits that arise from the use of virtual reality technology and the
World Wide Web in the field of distance education, as well as to further explore the role of instructors
and learners in such a network-centric mode of education. Within this framework, special emphasis is
given on the design and development of web-based virtual learning environments so as to successfully
fulfil their educational objectives. In particular, the chapter includes research on distance education on
the Web and the role of virtual reality, as well as study on basic pedagogical methods focusing mainly
on the efficient preparation, approach and presentation of the learning content. Moreover, specific
designing rules are presented considering the hypermedia, virtual and educational nature of this kind
of applications. Finally, an innovative virtual reality environment for distance education in medicine,
which reproduces conditions of the real learning process and enhances learning through a real-time
interactive simulator, is demonstrated.

INTRODUCTION visualization of data in three dimensions and pro-

vides interactive functionalities that reinforce the
feeling of immersion into a computer-generated
virtual world. According to many researchers and
educational practitioners this alternative form of
education facilitates learning due to the ability
of human brain to perceive better and assimilate
easier a 3D computer-graphics representation than
a simple text. It is also widely recognized that
VR technology engages students' attention and

Virtual reality has been widely recognized as a
significant technological breakthrough, which
can be used in the field of education in order to
enhance learning. In contrast with the conventional
two-dimensional presentation of educational
material, virtual reality technology allows the

DOI: 10.4018/978-1-61692-822-3.ch010