Disputation Mikhail Fominykh - Department of Computer and ...

Introduction
C1: Typology of 3D Content and Visualization Means
This characterization framework suggests describing a 3D construction
along two dimensions: virtual exhibits (types of content) and visual shell
(content presentation form). Virtual exhibits have three main categories:
text, 2D graphics and multimedia, and 3D visual symbols. An additional
dynamic category considers how the virtual exhibits are presented to the
viewer, for example by role-playing. Visual shell can be described using
three dimensions: aesthetics, functionality, and expressed meaning. The
typology was developed based on the results of three exploratory studies
conducted within this PhD work in the virtual campus of NTNU. Other
relevant studies previously conducted at NTNU were used to a minor
degree.
C2: Methodology for learning with educational visualizations in 3D CVEs
The methodology provides guidance on the use of collaborative 3D
visualizations in educational context. It consists of six phases, which are
given with descriptions of their goals, how much time they usually take,
what virtual places and tools are required, and what assistance students
need. Suggested guidance helps to structure and plan the educational
activity. The methodology was developed based on the results of three
exploratory studies conducted within this PhD work in the virtual campus
of NTNU.
Contributions towards tools and environments (Topic 2)
The following contributions provide practical guidelines for designing tools and
environments within 3D CVEs.
C3: Creative Virtual Workshop framework (CVW)
The framework describes how to design tools for virtual environments,
including virtual campus and virtual city. The main feature of the
framework is the integration of four virtual places and corresponding
functions: virtual workplace to support manipulating 3D content, virtual
library of resources to provide building blocks, virtual stage to support
presenting projects and virtual gallery to store and exhibit constructions.
The first version of this framework was described in the research proposal
for this PhD work. It had been improved based on the results of three
exploratory studies conducted in the virtual campus of NTNU. A CVW
prototype was developed and further elaborated based on the results of
each study.
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