Download Review Article 44

Review Article 44
Song, K. S. and W. Y. Lee. 2002. A virtual reality application for geometry classes.
Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 18 (2), 149-156.
This article describes the use of the Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) to
visualize 3-D objects for middle school geometry classes in a networked environment. It
also shows its usefulness for both teacher and students. VRML is the file format standard
for 3-D multimedia and shared virtual worlds on the Internet. In class, the teachers use
VRML objects retrieved from their server and students are allowed to explore these
objects accessing the teachers’ server via the world-wide web. To evaluate the
effectiveness of a VRML-based geometry class, two groups of classes were created: one
using networked VRML materials, and the other taught in the conventional way. Results
of the study show that the application of VRML-based 3-D objects have a positive affect
on students’ learning for geometric topics. VRML-based geometry classes provide a
virtual reality of figures and objects that cannot easily be described verbally. Any
geometry figure can be easily modeled into VRML drawings making it a good visual aid
toll of the geometry class.
Keywords: Elementary education; 3D objects; Geometry; Mathematics; School;
Virtual reality; VRML; World wide web; South Korea.