Over the past decade, there has been an explosion of interest in the use of COTS Augmented (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies in training (cf. Clark et al., 2016; Zendejas et al., 2013). These technologies allow learners to interact with the environment using naturalistic gestures, thereby allowing them to focus on the training content rather than on the user interface. Similarly, they allow instructional designers to embed critical resources – such as task checklists – within the training environment to enhance the learning experience. Unfortunately, the development of ARVR training involves significant resource investment. For example, training developers first need access to realistic 3D models of the technology with which the learners must interact. If these models do not already exist, they must generate them with the aid of reference photos, videos, or Computer-Aided Design (CAD) files (USAF Scientific Advisory Board, 2019). Asset repositories are standard practice across numerous domains, including game development (GrabCraft) and 3D printing (Thingiverse). Bringing this capability to the USAF will align it with the rest of the ARVR industry and will minimize the need to “reinvent the wheel” on every new training application. In this paper, we describe the Air Force Research Laboratory’s multi-year effort to design and develop a secure, web-based Community of Practice (COP) that will allow USAF instructional designers to quickly and easily share 3D models, reference photos and videos, and CAD models, among others. In addition to the asset repository, the system will help users to learn from one another via discussion groups, monthly webinars, and community-developed knowledge products. This paper will describe the results of our needs assessment process, our high-level system design principles, screen captures of the actual software, user feedback data from our evolving system designs, and lessons learned regarding the development of online COPs
Keywords
AUGMENTED AND VIRTUAL REALITY (AR/VR),TRAINING
Additional Keywords
asset repository, 3D models,