SBIR Phase I: Virtual Learning Environment for University Physics

这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段的研究项目提出了开发一个先进的基于Web的协作虚拟学习环境（VLE）的大学一年级物理教学。VLE将以交互式模拟和高端多媒体讲座的形式提供自定进度的令人信服和引人入胜的教学。交互式模拟将在类似视频游戏的3D虚拟环境中提供，该环境支持多用户，使用基于物理的模型。该指令将由近照片逼真的智能动画虚拟教师谁可以回答自然语言的问题。多媒体讲座将包括同步语音，文本，声音，电影和2D/3D动画插图。在每个部分结束时，学生将提供测试练习，他/她可以自己做，也可以在虚拟教师的指导下做。VLE将包括大学一年级物理学所涵盖的科目，包括运动学，牛顿力学，固体力学，流体力学，热力学，电磁学，光学，相对论和量子/粒子物理学。在第一阶段，将开发一个原型VLE，其中包括这些科目的一个子集（约为一个典型的第一年物理教科书的20%）。与传统的教科书/课堂学习相比，VLE的交互性和高水平的视觉/音频质量将使学生更快地同化、更深入地理解和更高的记忆保持力。拟议的大学物理VLE有可能从根本上改变物理学的教学方式。由于目前人类科学和技术知识的指数增长率，科学和工程领域的学生需要以更快的速度吸收更多的知识。目前的课堂和教科书教学方法不能满足这些需求，由于各种原因，包括，在非参与性和最低限度的互动方式，使用陈旧的静态图形插图，教师技能的变化，缺乏一对一的教师的注意力，以及学生的学习风格和速度的变化讲座交付。VLE将有助于克服这些限制。特别是，它将提高学习的质量、可及性和速度。它还将提高学生的实验，创造力和解决问题的能力。大一物理被选中在这个项目中，因为它是培养高素质的工程师和科学家谁将确保美国在开发新技术和进行尖端科学研究的持续领导的重要基础之一。VLE框架可以应用于其他领域，包括数学，化学和生物学。它也适用于K-12课程。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I research project proposes developing an advanced web-based collaborative virtual learning environment (VLE) for teaching freshman university physics. The VLE will deliver self-paced compelling and engaging instruction in the form of interactive simulations and high-end multimedia lectures. The interactive simulations will be delivered in a video-game-like 3D virtual environment, that supports multi-users, using physics-based models. The instruction will be delivered by near-photorealistic intelligent animated virtual instructors who can answer natural language questions. The multimedia lectures will include synchronized speech, text, sounds, movies and 2D/3D animated illustrations. At the end of each section, the student will be offered test exercises that he/she can either do on his/her own or with guidance from the virtual instructor. The VLE will include the subjects covered in first year university physics including, kinematics, Newtonian mechanics, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity & magnetism, optics, relativity and quantum/particle physics. In Phase I, a prototype VLE which includes a subset of those subjects (about 20% of a typical first-year physics text book) will be developed. The VLE's interactivity and high level of visual/audio quality will result in faster assimilation, deeper understanding, and higher memory retention by the students than traditional text-book/classroom learning.The proposed university physics VLE has the potential to radically change the way physics is taught. Due to the current exponential rate of increase in human scientific and technical knowledge, there is a need for students in science and engineering fields to assimilate more knowledge at a faster rate. Current classroom and text-book instruction delivery methods cannot satisfy these needs due to a variety of reasons, including, delivery of the lecture in non-engaging and minimally interactive way, use of antiquated static graphical illustrations, variability of teacher skill, lack of one-on-one teacher attention, and variability of student learning styles and speeds. The VLE will help overcome those limitations. Particularly, it will enhance the quality, accessibility, and speed of learning. It will also enhance the student experimentation, creativity and problem-solving capability. Freshman university physics was chosen in this project because it is one of the essential foundations for training high-caliber engineers and scientists who will ensure the continued leadership of the US in developing new technologies and in conducting cutting-edge scientific research. The VLE framework can be applied to other fields including mathematics, chemistry and biology. It can also be applied to K-12 courses.