Detecting eye blinking of a real-world student and introducing to the virtual e-Learning environment

Abstract

The approach of e-Learning has become a powerful way to deliver knowledge considering the increase in on-line users. Virtual classes that utilize the method of synchronous e-Learning have an Avatar to represent the human user. However, the Avatar in virtual class acts like a puppet, and it has a very small connection with the real user. All of the participants of the virtual class are represented by a naturalistic Avatar without any expressions. Non-verbal communication is a very essential element in the educational process, and it increases the student’s performance. One of the main non-verbal communications is by facial expressions, which have been introduced to the virtual world previously. This paper discusses the method of introducing students' Eye Blinking (EB) into the Avatar in the virtual world because EB is one of the major non-verbal communication methods, and it can be used to identify the student’s status during the e-Learning sessions. Therefore, an Eye Blinking Visualization System (EBVS) is constructed to establish a rich connection between the Avatar and the real user, as an implementation of non-verbal communication in a class of virtual e-Learning. A system of EB detection in the real world was constructed in which eye blinks are represented through the animations of furry Avatar in the virtual world. The real world and the virtual world are connected by an external server to transfer the EB from the real world to the virtual world. Ultimately, the EB pattern of the real user is visualized in the virtual e-Learning environment through the furry Avatar. When the system is implemented, it takes an average of 2.5 seconds to transfer the information, which is a comparatively short time. When the real user is blinking his/her eyes, the eye blink appears in the virtual e-Learning environment within a very short period of time. Students can communicate more smoothly, friendly, effectively and they feel as a real world classroom environment even though they are engaging with e-Learning through the EBVS. This system can be supplied eye contact and non-verbal communications which are very essential elements in the learning field.