GE3D: A virtual campus for technology-enhanced learning

There are many learning management systems all over the world. But these conventional E-learning platforms aim at students who are used to work on their own. Our students are young (19 years old - 22 years old), and in their first year at the university. Following extensive interviews with our students, we have designed GE3D, an E-learning platform, according to their expectations and our criteria. In this paper, we describe the students´ demands, resulting from the interviews. Then, we present our virtual campus. Even if our platform uses some elements coming from the 3D games world, it is always a pedagogical tool. Using this technology, we developed a 3D representation of the real world. We also propose a process of a lecture on the Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC´s) in this new universe. GE3D is a multi-users tool, with a synchronous technology, an intuitive interface for end-users and an embedded Intelligent Tutoring System to support learners.