Distributed Virtual Reality Learning Environments

Abstract

In this chapter we discuss the emerging technologies of collaborative virtual environments (CVEs), and outline their suitability for improving the pedagogical support provided by online learning environments. We provide a critique of current approaches to online learning (ranging from Web-based to video-conferencing), and argue that they are generally poor with regard to support for complex task-based interactions, as required by modern approaches to collaborative learning, as well as being weak in