Collaborative Non-linear Storytelling Around 3D Objects

In informal learning settings, storytelling is a mean towards acquiring and sharing knowledge. On the Web, user generated content and digital representations of real-world artifacts contribute to the story's expressiveness. 3D objects are a good example of such representations, as they capture and distribute rich and complex information. We present an approach for the collaborative creation of non-linear stories in near real-time, centered around 3D objects. We use a metamodel, which acts as a basis for collaborative story creation. Stories are directly linked to 3D objects being attached to camera views and perspectives on a certain object. We instantiate story viewers from the collaboratively authored stories and use text and multimedia to annotate and browse the 3D objects. Our conducted evaluation proves the feasibility of the approach and promises good results in applying collaborative storytelling for 3D object browsing in order to scaffold informal learning.