VIEW – A Virtual Interactive Web-based Learning Environment for Engineering

Introduction Engineering programs throughout the country face similar challenges: student learning, student success and retention . In addition, more and more adults participate in online education and distance learning programs for various reasons and the demand for such programs is growing . In order to address these issues, educators have developed and implemented several pedagogical approaches to teaching and learning including project-based learning, student-centered learning, and computer-based learning, etc., that are well grounded in the scholarship of education and instructional techniques . Furthermore, more and more computer-aided and web-based educational technologies are used in the classroom. This includes so-called Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) . One example of such a web-based Virtual Learning Environment is Virtual Interactive Engineering on the Web (VIEW), which is a set of 3D web-based laboratories and modules based on the Extensible 3D (X3D) standard. X3D can be used to develop applications that enhance student learning across a broad range of applications including computer-aided design (CAD), visual simulation, medical visualization, and geographic information system (GIS).