e-Experiments in geometry
The Lab@Future project uses state of the art technologies to develop e-learning technological tools to facilitate new approaches in teaching and learning in high schools. The project develops an advanced e-learning platform that supports virtual and interactive environments for laboratory experiments in arts and sciences. For the experiment in geometry a system called Construct3D has been developed that incorporates personal computers, head-mounted displays, trackers for obtaining head and hand position, a projection table and virtual gloves. Integration with the Lab@Future platform is realized through connection with an experiment specific server (ESS). This is a server that stores all the data and applications that relate to an experiment, in this case the ESS of the Mathematics experiment. Two high school groups with the aid of a teacher and a technician had a one week test run with the Construct3D set up. The tests were run in two computer labs located in different floors. In one of the labs students using Construct3D solved a task, while in the other lab students served as observers and advisors. Students working with the immersive set-up at the first lab wore head-mounted displays and interacted with the system through tracked pens and personal interaction panels. They also wore headphones and a microphone and thus were able to communicate with the advisor students in the second lab. The use of voice chat could provide active help to the students solving the problem in the first lab. Additionally with a shared whiteboard module they could also share notes. The teacher, present only in the Construct3D lab, monitored students' progress on a control screen appearing on a projection table, a BARCO table. On another BARCO table at the second lab the same control screen appeared. During the experiment all communication and collaboration tools provided by the Lab@Future platform were used and tested thoroughly along with the active use of the Mathematics experiment specific server and the successful results of the demonstration trials are available.