OpenWebTalk: a 3D High-Performance Framework to Support Collaborative Learning

Nowadays the term "eLearning" is used interchangeably in so many contexts that it is critical to be clear what one means when one speaks of it, and it is gaining increasing momentum as a teaching approach, both for education and training. In the field of e-learning we focalize our research on the "collaborative learning" paradigm. In this paper, we advocate the necessity to intermingle the present e-Learning approach, mainly based on bi-dimensional multimedia presentation of the contents, with new types of eLearning, based on the exploitation of high-defined 3D representation, thus adding one dimension to the current way of thinking eLearning. To this end, we chose to start our research creating a 3D CVE system, based on a rendering engine borrowed by the serious game world. This class of engines brings up high-definition rendering features with an high engagement level during the game experience. To use this kind of applications in eLearning scenarios, we need to add specific multiuser capabilities (to enhance user-user collaboration) and the possibility to simply configure the learning session. To this end we present OpenWebTalk, a framework to support high performances and high resolution 3D collaborative experiences, that is based on the experience we have done with WebTalk, a 3D CVE system mainly used for collaborative educational aims, to support, in a flexible way, high performances real-time collaboration. The paper will show the framework's capabilities to configure itself on the basis of an XML meta-model declaration language representing not only workspace, but also interaction rules shared within the 3D users during the collaborative experiences. This would allow the fast prototyping of a large number of 3D learning session in an easy way without spending much time in reprogramming the system. Moreover the use of photo-realistic graphics should enhance the level of engagement during the collaborative learning experiences conveying these virtual environments a high sense of virtual presence. The OpenWebTalk photo-realistic rendering capabilities will allow us to use this architecture in a large range of eLearning applications. After the in-detail framework description, we present the results of an early experimentation performed by two teams of students. This results will show how the framework's performances scale with the scene complexity, and with the number of users concurrently connected.