Introduction to VRMath (1.0)

Introduction to VRMath (1.0)

VRMath stands for Virtual Reality Mathematics.

VRMath is a project that utilises the potential of Virtual Reality Technology to facilitate the knowledge construction of mathematics (e.g., 3D geometry).

If you know about Logo language, the turtle graphics, then you can think that VRMath is pretty much like 3D Logo, a 3D turtle that can move, turn around freely in 3D space.

, this is the 3D turtle.

If you didn't hear anything about Logo turtle graphics, please just imagine that a turtle in a 3D virtual space.  You can command the turtle to move FORWARD or BACKWARD, turn LEFT or RIGHT, ROLLUP or ROLLDOWN, and TILTLEFT or TILTRIGHT. (You can find more commands in Command Library page)

If you specify the command PENDOWN, then turn and move the turtle, there will be turtle tracks drawn in 3D space.

So you can draw a cube like this:

Or even a tree like this:

Also, there are some primitives of 3D shapes for easy use such as BALL or SPHERE, CAN or CYLINDER, BOX or CUBE, CONE, and LABEL etc.  You can change colours of them and even make them transparent. Of course, you can SCALE them to reshape them. An example of a virtual world is like this:

These pictures show a still image of the virtual worlds built in VRMath. In fact, you can freely walk around in the 3D virtual worlds and look at things from any perspectives you want.

VRMath has three important components: the VR interface, the programming interface, and the online discussion forum. To learn more about the interface of VRMath, please visit the interface tour page.

The advent of VRMath is informed first by Constructionist's notions of learning from designing and doing. It is also informed by mathematics philosophy and many other theories in the field of mathematics education, learning and cognition, semiotics and technology etc. These underpinning theoretical grounds can be found in the research papers section in the document page.

If you are interested in the technologies used in this project, please also visit the document page.

Happy VRMathing!