Interactive learning of CG in networked virtual environments

Nowadays, computer graphics courses are usually taught with traditional teaching methodologies and tools, which have several limitations. In this paper, we present an online interactive computer graphics (CG) tutorial, which supports the collaborative learning of the concepts and algorithms of computer graphics in a networked virtual environment. The practical part of the tutorial consists of example programs for users to test the theoretical concepts and to obtain their own experiments. The integration of the different theoretical and practical parts of the course is realized through a common Web-based interface to the system. The main objectives are to (1) allow the users to learn and practice with the algorithms of computer graphics in a virtual environment, (2) support avatar-based collaborative learning based on avatars involving, several users connected through the Internet. Two versions of the system in Chinese and English language, respectively, have been implemented and are described in the paper. (c) 2005 Published by Elsevier Ltd.