User centred virtual actor technology

ABSTRACT

This paper argues that the development of virtual actor technology must be guided by application and end user needs. Two objectives drive the development of the 'Senet' project described in this paper: to develop a set of design guidelines for the use of virtual actors in Collaborative Virtual Environments (CVEs) for learning, and to inform the development of the underlying virtual actor technology following a user centred approach. The methodological approach followed involves the development of prototype virtual learning environments in a series of distinct phases. These are based on an ancient Egyptian game (senet) and are aimed at children at Key Stage Level 2 of the National Curriculum for education in England. Two-dimensional multimedia technology has been used to develop robust prototypes, which were then observed in use by children. The result of this study derived a set of design guidelines, which were then used to guide the implementation of a 3D CVE using the Deva CVE technology.

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Index Terms

• Applied computing

  • Computers in other domains

    • Digital libraries and archives

• Computing methodologies

  • Artificial intelligence

    • Computer vision

      • Image and video acquisition

        • 3D imaging

  • Computer graphics

    • Graphics systems and interfaces

      • Virtual reality

• Information systems

  • Information systems applications

    • Digital libraries and archives

    • Multimedia information systems