Design of hypertext based courseware with the integrated Java and VRML modules

Computer supported simulation and visualization of natural phenomena gives to the teachers of sciences new means and methods, which lead to deeper understanding of phenomena they teach. Current technology of Java enabled browsers permits the integration of interactive simulations into hypertext. On the other side the VRML technology permits a better 3D visualization of represented models. In the paper the concept of the interaction of Java applets and VRML worlds is extended in the domain of computer supported simulation of experiments. The fundamental rules are expressed as algorithms in Java. The 3D visualization of the simulated experiment can be achieved through VRML description, which should be generated, and controlled from applets. The concepts are illustrated with some typical examples from the domain of robotics and physics