ReW: Reality Windows for Virtual Worlds

Abstract

In this paper, we present the ReW system, a two-way bridge connecting Virtual and Real worlds, aiming at improving the virtual world extension of classical classroom didactic, facilitating the diffusion of blackboard content in virtual environments. The system adopts low cost hardware and is not intrusive in common lecture practices since its classroom front-end is controlled by a virtual button on the blackboard that results really usable for the teacher and does not require to alter his/her didactic habits. In this way, the system aims also at affording one of the obstacles against the adoption and diffusion of virtual worlds, the effort required to control the didactic and collaborative actions. The system has to be intended as a support to already available presentation systems and was specifically created for quickly distributing hand-written content produced during lectures. The prototypes have been developed for two diffuse 3D virtual worlds, with some slight differences due to different technological support offered by the underlying technologies.