Exploring OpenCobalt

   I have a particular interest in Collaborative 3D Virtual Environments as a platform for the implementation of Educational Simulations, because I believe that the creation of virtual worlds to simulate physical phenomena, can be an excellent tool for learning and experimentation.

   Recently, a project coordinated by the virtual worlds research group at Duke University has developed an open source platform called OpenCobalt, which promotes the creation of virtual worlds on a distributed communication model (P2P), this makes all connected users, are both clients and servers of content.

   Here is one of the tests I've done with OpenCobalt. This video shows two users, represented by their avatars,  that they are connected and shares a virtual world, in which a gravitational simulation, created by David A. Smith, is running. If you look closely you will see that despite the absence of a central server, the actions of both users are perfectly synchronized.

   OpenCobalt, a new universe to explore...

      

A world to explore, many experiences to share

   Most of acquired knowledge are closely linked to our own experiences. The more vivid are these experiences, more firmer will remain this knowledge  in our mind.

   Nowadays, virtual environments are a powerful tool for experimenting, and make hypotheses, as a mean to acquire new knowledge and sharing it, in a dynamic and collaborative way.

  Without doubt, one of the best-known collaborative virtual environments, is  Second Life, where you can visit different places, change the appearance of our representation (avatar), create buildings, provide services, buy and sell online, etc. However, because it is a commercial enterprise not all of these options are free.

   But there are many alternatives such as OpenCroquet, OpenCobalt, Openqwaq, OpenSim, etc. that I'll try to comment in future posts.

How it all began ?

   I'm not sure how it all started, but in a gradual, almost imperceptible to me, slowly I was entering in the educational world. A truly fascinating world with more questions than answers and endless possibilities to explore.
   Perhaps the need to find some answers, was what led me to the engineering world and then to the computing world. Fortunately, now I have the possibility to combine the acquired knowledge on both worlds and apply them to a new project.
  Apply simulation techniques in 3D Collaborative Environments to generate a more meaningful learning of concepts related to Physics and Engineering.