Digital-EE II: RV-Augmented Interface Design for Networked Collaborative Environmental Learning

Abstract

DigitalEE 11 (Digitally Enhanced Experience) is an online digital platform for networked collaborative environmental learning through multiple discussions among diverse people. The platform interconnects real and virtual worlds via a photo-realistic 3D spatial metaphor, and supports video- and voice-based interaction between real participants (participants in real nature) and virtual participants (participants at distant locations). Both participants share time, space, vision, experiences, and emotion between the two different worlds. We conducted experiments on DigitalEE 11 to verify voluntary environmental learning through interactive communication. The experiments found that the desire to fill information gap between real and virtual worlds stimulated various interactive communication and voluntary environmental observation. DigitalEE 11 made contribution toward raising participants' interests in the environment and their awareness to nature. The platform provided the participants with opportunities of considering environmental preservation. This research introduced diverse computational technologies in environmental learning, and enlarged the field of application of CSCL techniques. PU - SPRINGER PI - DORDRECHT PA - PO BOX 17, 3300 AA DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS