Web3D in ocean science learning environments

摘要

The Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML), Java 3D software development packages, and World Wide Web (the Web) offer great potential for delivering three-dimensional, collaborative virtual environments to broad, on-line audiences. These capabilities have significant potential in ocean sciences, so a visualization environment was developed to explore these possibilities. The University of Washington's Virtual Big Beef Creek (VBBC) project has been continuously refined since its initial implementation in April 1999. VBBC affords users the ability to navigate through a data-rich representation of a physical world estuary on Washington State's Olympic Peninsula. One important project goal is to give users a better sense of the overall watershed before they venture out to experience it in person. A second significant goal is to provide a single on-line repository for geo-referenced data obtained through fieldwork (both quantitative and qualitative). The research team has gained insight into application improvements through the participation of Ocean Sciences graduate students, video game enthusiasts, and the general public. In this paper, research challenges, project successes, and project shortcomings are discussed that may inform the larger Web3D community.