3D Virtual environments: Innovative technology to improve meaningful learning

Computer simulations of real situations can allow people to create their own meaningful pathway towards learning. Here we describe a project in which a 3D virtual reality model of the university serves as an information kiosk. The purpose of the Interactive Information Kiosk of the Technical University of Panama (KINFO-UTP) is to provide visitors and the university community with fast and dynamic information on the location of University laboratories, classrooms, administrative and faculty offices. Virtual world’s technologies, graphics engines and web programming languages were using to develop KINFO-UTP and create interoperability between a 3D design and the web interface of the application. KINFO-UTP runs under a Microsoft Windows operating system and mobile devices that support a graphical library for handling 3D graphics at all levels. To evaluate of the graphical user interface, was used a survey. Further development might allow the Kiosk to improve its own interface based on data it obtains from the users experience