Application for Student Computer and Technology Fee
Distance Education Innovative Project Proposal, Winter 20051

Unit. College/School/Department:

College of Technology and Computer Science, Department of Computer Science

In Cooperation with (Optional):
	(Name of Cooperating Unit)

Name of Project Director:

Mohammad H. N. Tabrizi

Campus Address:

C-110 Science and Technology

Phone Number:

3289691

E-Mail:

tabrizim@mail.ecu.edu

Total Funding Request:

$ 58,419.81

Project Title:

Agent-based Virtual Reality/3D System for Real-time Delivery of the DE Courses

Please obtain the appropriate authorization to submit this proposal (unit head), which includes acknowledging the conditions specified below. Identify the person authorizing submission of the proposal. That person will be contacted to confirm the authorization.

The unit accepts the following responsibilities and obligations if full or partial funding of its Student Computer and Technology Fee proposal is awarded:

1. The Student Computer and Technology Fee monies fund proposals which are for departmental facilities for student use in instructional settings. Any faculty use must be incidental, such as in a student laboratory setting.

2. The project or items of a project cannot be substantively changed once the award is made.

3. The unit is to provide insurance for the hardware or technological equipment.

4. The unit is responsible for repairs to hardware or technological equipment that are beyond the warranty period.

5. The unit is to provide security and adequate supervision for the hardware or technological equipment and software.

6. The unit is to maintain the hardware or technological equipment and software in the area described by the proposal.

7. No unit is permitted to submit more than one proposal during this second round.

Name of Unit Head:

~~Robert Bernhardt~~Ralph Rogers

Campus Address:

C-124 Science & Tech.

Phone Number:

3289682

Goal Statement

Agent-based Virtual Reality/3D (AVR) worlds consists an emerging medium whose efficiency has been demonstrated in many areas such as computer games, entertainment systems, and visualization. The proposed AVR system will achieve the synergetic fusion of different technological elements that includes a 3-dimensional VR platform, a course management system, a multimedia-based communication environment, electronic whiteboard, motion-capture and tracking with a communication architecture that optimizes the bandwidth usage. The integrative design approach will ensure that development of an application environment that provides a virtual classroom resembling a face-to-face (FTF) classroom setting. Using AVR system the instructors’ facial expression, voice, and motion will be broadcasted to the students’ computers along with other course materials. Animated characters, using 3D VR representing the instructor and tracking its movements will be created within an interface on the students’ machines. The students can interrupt the teacher and are given opportunity to ask questions, AVR can archive the lectures for the future usage. AVR promotes the awareness of the effective use of the DE course delivery systems; and it will help to increase numbers of high quality teachers and students in DE programs. Moreover, AVR system will provide a lecture and laboratory environment for the PI’s DE courses in Networking and Mobile Communications, where students can remotely access the lecture and the lab develop software and perform networking projects. The AVR will also be used in our entry level CS courses, allowing us to teach problem solving and programming concepts before coding. The successful implementation of the AVR system is feasible as it uses existing and tested technologies; similar systems have already been successfully implemented in computer gaming, entertainment, and visualization. More importantly, we have already prototyped the front end (students’ interface) of AVR System, where we are able to present a 3D classroom with integrated whiteboard and slides presentation. The requested funds will be used to complete this task and also to implement the backend (motion trackers etc.) PI has extensive experience in developing DE tools and software including Virtual ECU, E-Class, and Webtalk, developed during past 7 years. The Webtalk and E-class provided an environment for the instructor’s video, audio, hand writing/drawing, and slide presentation to be synchronized and streamed at the same time, the students can view the lectures online and can ask questions. In a recent study, we used a questionnaire concerning perceptions and experiences related to DE for both students and faculty. The questions ask about DE resources, tools, and perceived effectiveness. Responses favoring the multimedia and VR-based DE course delivery systems were analyzed.

Students and Courses Affected

The following DE courses CSCI 4530 (Computer Networking and Internet), CSCI 6130 (Networking and Communication), CSCI 6905 (Mobile Communications) developed and offered by PI will be affected. It is anticipated that other faculties from different disciplines including Dr. Erol Ozan from Industry and Technology who will use AVR in his DE courses in Project management. The AVR system will be used to teach problem solving and programming concepts (before teaching how to code) in entry level (CSCI 2300) computer science courses (both online and FTF). About 150 students will be affected. In addition, PI’s participation in development of the ECU’s proposed MS degree in DE Software Engineering degree will directly be affected by this proposal. Moreover, the PI is planning to create DE courses in computer gaming, the proposed AVR will help in development of such courses.

Current Facilities

The system will be installed and housed in 234 Science and Technology Building. We will have access to servers installed in this lab and several desktop PCs. The lab is equipped with all furniture and network infrastructures. The lab has space to install motion trackers to detect the instructor’s motion while teaching. We have all the support software already in place.

Equipment and Software Requested

MO-BS-WI: MOCAP Single Device – Alias Motion capture management software.
MOAD-BS-WI: MOCAP - Each Additional Device, - needed for optical tracker.
Gypsy - 4 motion capture: Electro-mechanical motion capture system.
AVSOFT – Optical: Real time performance for character animation
Optical Trackers: Set of 20 Optical Trackers.
2-IBM PC: Computer for running the AVSoft face tracker, networked into the computer that will be handling MoCap. The Gypsy can feed in to the computer running MoCap, or an extra PC.
MC-BS-WI-PL: Maya, Integrated 3D modeling, animation effects, and renderin.
DGTech Data Golves: Data capture gloves
LACIE 1TB: BIGGER DISK FW400/800 USB LAC-300875
ATI FIREGL V3100 128MB PCI-E VIDADPT ATI-100-505082
ACER C303 TABLET 9/1.7 735 80GB CRW.

Support for the Project

Dr. Said Said (Mathematics): Evaluation and assessment of the AVR system and performing data analysis.

Dr. Linda Allred (Psychology): Perform data analysis and Investigate behavioral and psychological issues related to AVR system in teaching DE courses.

Dr. Tabrizi (Computer Science): Architect of the AVR system. He will teach several courses using AVR system

Dr. Ozan (Industry and Technology): Will assist with implementation and he will also use AVR in his teaching

Dr. Kishore (Computer Science): Design questionnaires, help in installation of AVR and will act as supervisor.

Dr. Shahnaz Aziz (Psychology): Design questionnaires and help in data collection related to AVR in teaching.

Mr. Brian Manning, (Computer Science, System administrator): will help in maintenance and installation.

Graduate students: Will help in installation, design of lectures, and assessment.

Ms. Carol Collins (Computer Science): Will use AVR to teach her entry-level CS courses.

Assessment of the Educational Impact of the Project

By comparing existing systems to the perceptions of students and instructors about what aspects of DE are not as effective as FTF learning, we can identify where the changes are needed. The survey that primarily identifies attitudes about DE and FTF instruction and about what features of AVR were especially useful. Some students will be asked to complete questionnaire about their learning styles and other personality traits. Data analyses of the surveys and questionnaire will address the following research hypotheses: 1) Traditional DE systems are not perceived by students or instructors as providing effective learning compared to FTF environments. 2) Integrating multimedia and VR in DE course delivery systems will address the primary disadvantages instructors and students see in DE courses and will thereby enhance learning and increase student motivation.

Longitudinal Study: Follow up assessments related to: 1) the students’ retention in the undergraduate programs, 2) student performance in the classes using AVR and in the subsequent courses, 3) student employability and job performance, 4) attraction and retention of minority students and females. The informed consent process will be more stringent with this aspect of the study.

Budget: Submit quotes for the materials requested, using as much space as needed, starting on page 4 of this form.

Deliver one electronic copy of the application as an attachment to email to: FacultySenate@mail.ecu.edu. In the subject line of the email enter “DE2Innovative Project Proposal from <name of unit, name of director>.”