Visual immersive mathematics in 3D web

Existing methods for cyber learning mathematics and geometry are restricted to a limited class of geometric objects, most of which are predefined in the system. Besides, no existing methods emphasize the geometric meaning of mathematic functions. Our research aims at improving learners' three-dimensional spatial abilities by providing an intuitive and efficient environment for learning mathematics and geometry, specifically, the geometric meaning of mathematic functions. We propose a new 3D web learning environment that does not restrict to a list of predefined primitive geometric objects, allows the learner to interactively create objects by defining their properties using analytical functions, and immerses the learner into the environment. The object properties, including geometry, visual appearance and physical properties, are created in their own coordinate domains and then assembled together to define a virtual shape. The shape definition is eventually a function scripts that can be rendered on any suitable graphics system. We have implemented our software using the function-based extension of the Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) and Extensible 3D (X3D).