by Mr Andrew Brown, IT/Multimedia Officer
Department of Psychology, Monash University (Gippsland)
The Virtual Laboratories replace traditional laboratories by providing
a computer based experiment environment for the students. As there are
many of these VR labs to be developed, a rapid development strategy
has been adopted to meet the demand.
This is where the template system comes into play. Over 18 months ago it was noted that our prototype VR labs possessed
common navigational, visual design and functional features. One system
was developed over the last 9 months to build multiple VR labs from.
The template system enables rapid development, consistency of function
and design, longer shelf life and a wider audience availability of
multimedia teaching software. Each VR lab may require some customised
code to be included into the template system, but in the most part
only uses an external database and digital media.
Each VR lab can be delivered via the Web, CDROM or LAN and can
centralise data to a web server via small CGI scripts. It is proposed
that the template system become advanced enough to allow the novice
user to construct new VR labs.
There is no need for coding; it will simply provide a WYSIWYG method of
editing text and interaction properties as well as importing visual and
audio digital media.
The template system also allows for questionnaires/multiple choice tests
to be built. This allows it to be used for more than just Psychology
Virtual laboratories. An example of a virtual laboratory produced with
this technique can be seen here
Mr Andrew Brown is the Multimedia Officer for the department of
Psychology. His role in the department is to develop and coordinate
multimedia projects that include Virtual Laboratories.
For further contact, e-mail the HEPCIT administration office.
Copyright © Monash University 1998
