STTR Phase I: Lifelike Virtual Tutors to Support Authentic Learning

STTR 第一阶段：逼真的虚拟导师支持真实学习

• 批准号: 0441586
• 负责人: Edward Sims
• 金额: $ 10万
• 依托单位: VCOM3D, INC.
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2005
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2005-01-01 至 2005-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0441586&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: STTR; Phase; Lifelike; Virtual; Tutors

This Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I project will develop a proof-of-concept Web-delivered Virtual Reality (VR) simulation that incorporates lifelike virtual tutors capable of manipulating simulated objects and communicating in written or spoken English or sign language into TERC's Marble Roll--an online challenge for Grades 4-8. This research builds on Vcom3D's and TERC's use of avatars for communication of scientific concepts to Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing students. However, it extends the current capabilities from being communication aids to being mentors, participants, and/or interpreters who support all students in developing standards-based abilities of scientific inquiry and understanding of fundamental concepts related to forces and motion. The result will include (1) ?developing a proof-of -concept VR simulation that challenges students to solve a problem and integrates the publication, comparison and analysis of their data; (2) ?evaluating the simulation's effectiveness in supporting all students' understanding of standards-based science content and process and attitude toward it, including those with special needs; and (3) ?identifying requirements for an authoring tool to create a group of VR simulations. Successful proof-of-concept will lead to cost-effective, high quality, and more accessible authentic learning experiences for all students.This project provides an opportunity through the development and testing of new universal access and design features to broaden participation of underrepresented groups in authentic learning experiences. These features include the ability for students to select an avatar according to race, gender, or ethnicity; low bandwidth modem requirements for use in areas without a technology infrastructure; and sign language interpretation for deaf/hard-of-hearing students. A Virtual Tutor provides constant attention to students' actions and ideas, using verbal and visual modes of communication appropriate for that student--a benefit rarely realized in most classroom settings and one that advances discovery and scientific understanding and promotes learning that can continue over a lifetime. Additionally, learning with a VR simulation dramatically increases access to age-appropriate standards-based learning for students in classrooms without laboratories, in hospitals, and for those with mobility disorders or special learning needs including dyslexia and attention deficit disorder. By publishing the Virtual Marble Roll and commercializing an authoring tool for creation of new, universally designed VR simulations, and by licensing the virtual tutoring technology, the partners will promote widespread use of the proposed research and development that will support future enhancement and application.

这个小企业技术转让第一阶段项目将开发一个概念验证网络交付的虚拟现实（VR）模拟，其中包含逼真的虚拟导师能够操纵模拟对象，并以书面或口头英语或手语进行交流TERC的大理石滚-一个在线挑战4-8年级。这项研究建立在Vcom 3D和TERC使用化身向聋人和听力障碍学生传达科学概念的基础上。 然而，它扩展了当前的能力，从沟通辅助工具到导师，参与者和/或口译员，他们支持所有学生发展基于标准的科学探究能力和对与力和运动相关的基本概念的理解。 结果将包括（1）？开发一个概念验证的虚拟现实模拟，挑战学生解决一个问题，并整合他们的数据的出版，比较和分析;（2）？评估模拟的有效性，以支持所有学生的理解标准为基础的科学内容和过程，并对它的态度，包括那些有特殊需要的人;和（3）？识别用于创建一组VR模拟的创作工具的需求。 成功的概念验证将为所有学生带来具有成本效益、高质量和更容易获得的真实学习体验，该项目通过开发和测试新的普遍获得和设计功能提供了一个机会，以扩大代表性不足的群体对真实学习体验的参与。 这些功能包括学生根据种族、性别或民族选择化身的能力;在没有技术基础设施的地区使用的低带宽调制解调器要求;以及聋人/听力困难学生的手语翻译。 虚拟导师提供持续关注学生的行动和想法，使用适合该学生的口头和视觉交流模式-在大多数课堂环境中很少实现的好处，以及一个推进发现和科学理解，并促进学习，可以持续一生。 此外，使用VR模拟学习大大增加了学生在没有实验室的教室，医院，以及那些有行动障碍或特殊学习需求的学生（包括阅读障碍和注意力缺陷障碍）的年龄适当的标准学习机会。 通过发布Virtual Marble Roll并将用于创建新的通用设计的VR模拟的创作工具商业化，以及通过许可虚拟辅导技术，合作伙伴将促进拟议研究和开发的广泛使用，以支持未来的增强和应用。