Virtualized Collaborative Learning Environment In The Process of Teaching People with Disabilities

At the Department of Computers and Informatics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics TU Kosice (DCI FEEI TU Košice) students can study virtual reality technologies and computer graphics. This subject in education process is relatively young. The study is focused on the acquirement of theoretical knowledge and practical experiences about 3D computer graphics, virtual reality and its technologies including natural and bioadaptive user interfaces and computer games. Students work in our laboratory (LIRKIS) with the latest virtual reality technologies (e.g. augmented/mixed reality, data helmets including Microsoft Hololens, 3D scanning or 3D printing) during practical exercises and they create content for them (such as applications or virtual models and scenes). Currently we also have a new self-developed technology known as CAVE (Cave Automatic Virtual Environment). For education purposes it is also important to know what students know about virtual reality and its technologies to correctly adjust lessons to the students' knowledge and to the needs of practice. The main focus is the usage of these technologies for handicapped people education. This paper presents our experiences in education of virtual reality in both ways: as subject of study and also as tool for studying.