Shared Virtual Worlds For Education: The Explorenet Experiment

    Authors

    C. E. Hughes;J. M. Moshell

    Comments

    Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Multimedia Syst.

    Keywords

    constructionism; distributed interactive simulation; distributed; objects; graphical MUDs; object-oriented simulation; situated cognition; virtual communities; virtual worlds; Computer Science, Information Systems; Computer Science, Theory &; Methods

    Abstract

    ExploreNet is an experimental environment for creating and delivering networked ''virtual worlds.'' This system's style of user interaction was inspired by the concept of a ''habitat'' as first articulated in the LucasFilm's Habitat system. Players enter and interact in a habitat via their animated alter egos, called ''avatars.'' Habitats may be created for many purposes, including social interaction, entertainment and education. Our focus has been to facilitate the creation of habitats in which virtual communities of learners and mentors interact. This paper presents details of the current ExploreNet system, including its user interface, the means it provides for creating complex behaviors, details of its implementation, the outcomes of several experiments using this system, and our plans for its natural migration to a World Wide Web-based system.

    Journal Title

    Multimedia Systems

    Volume

    5

    Issue/Number

    2

    Publication Date

    1-1-1997

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    145

    Last Page

    154

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:A1997WW10500008

    ISSN

    0942-4962

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