Title

Shared Virtual Worlds For Education: The Explorenet Experiment

Authors

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

Share

COinS