E - learning geometry
The Lab@Future project is developing a prototype e-learning tool for supporting secondary school laboratory education. The platform's architecture consists of a set of distributed user workstations interconnected to a WAN network. It also has mobile user workstations and a set of distributed servers including a multi-user virtual reality server and experiments specific servers. The platform supports e-learning application experiments in fluid dynamics, geometry and in the arts and humanities. For the geometry experiment in particular, a system called Construct 3D capable of teaching descriptive geometry using collaborative augmented reality was developed. Students use laptops and desktops, head mounted displays, a projection table and virtual gloves. Four scenarios were created in order to access Construct 3D's performance. The classic scenario starts in an ordinary school class. The teacher chooses a mathematical problem in descriptive geometry and explains it thoroughly to her students in class. Then they move on to the laboratory to perform the Lab@Future experiment. In the mobile scenario, a mobile augmented reality is added to the scenery of the classic scenario. In this way, students and teacher do not have to move to a laboratory. In the class a large projection screen may also be added, allowing more students to attend experiment demonstrations. Finally the desktop scenario uses a desktop-based augmented reality system. Teaching and learning geometry in the Lab@Future environment enables students to recognize and apply geometry as a language, learn educational software, develop creativity, apply fundamental geometric knowledge in scientific and technical problems and finally better prepare for the professional world.