Ronan Querrec

Professor at Brest National School of Engineering (ENIB)

Director of the European Center of Virtual Reality (CERV)

Vice President of the French Association of Virtual Reality, Augmented, Mixed and 3D Interaction (AFRV)

Member of the IHSEV team in the Lab-STICC Labs UMR 6285 - CNRS

Resume

Habilitation Thesis

Apprentissage de Procédures en Environnements Virtuels (2010).

Procedure Learning in Virtual Environment.

PhD Thesis

Les Systèmes Multi-Agents pour les Environnements Virtuels de Formation : Application à la Sécurité Civile (2002).

Multi-Agents Systems for Virtual Learning Environments : Application to fire-fighting.

Research Domain

Virtual Reality, Knowledge Representaion, Embodied Conversational Agent, Pegagogical Scenario, Augmented Reality, Virtual Environment for Learning.

Developper

Main developer of MASCARET plateform. Get it on GitHub

Knowledge Representation for Virtual and Augmented Reality : MASCARET

MASCARET is a metamodel for informed (intelligent) virtual environment. It is defined as an extension of UML 2. It permits to model semantics, structurals, geometrics and topologics properties of the entities in the virtual environment and their behaviors. In MASCARET we also define the notion of Agent by their behaviors, their communications (ACL Messages) and their organisations. MASCARET also permits to describes human activities in the virtual envirnonment by using UML 2 activities.

Pedagogical Scenario

We defined a generic model for pedagogical scenarion for Virtual Environment for Learning. This model permits to create the configuration of the virtual environment where the exercice take place, the roles and the pedagogical activities. This model is base on MASCARET. The trainer create the environment by instanciting a domain model (defined with MASCARET). The pedagogical organisation is defined as a MASCARET organisation. The pedagogical scenarion is defined througth a UML 2 activities. All those concepts are also considered as a knowledge base for the agents.

Embodied Conversational Agent

Our aim is to improve embodied conversational agents with tutor behavior by endowing them with the capability to generate feedback in pedagogical interactions with learners. The virtual agent feedback and the interpretation of the user’s feedback are based on the knowledge of the environment (informed virtual environment defined using MASCARET), the interaction and the pedagogical strategies structured around classical intelligent tutoring system models.

Evaluation

The main goal of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a virtual environment (VE) for learning complex procedures. The first experiment we made is to validate the effectiveness of using a VE in the process of learning a new procedure (internal validity). The second one tested external validity of the VE, which is the participants’ ability to reproduce the acquired skills in a real context. We find that internal and external validity must be evaluated before using a virtual environment in long-term procedure learning. The results of such evaluations are a basis for future experiments aiming to optimize learning conditions in a VE and transferring the acquired skills in a real context

PhD Thesis Main Supervisor

Taoum, J.: Modèle de feedback cognitifs s’appuyant sur un modèle de représentation des connaissances pour les agents conversationnels animés (expected in 2018).

Nakhal, B.: Comportement naturel de tuteur virtuel en environnement virtuel informé (expected in 2017).

Haidar, H.: Modèle générique de représentation des connaissances pour la distribution des environnements virtuels utilisant DDS (2015).

Lecorre, F.: Utilisation de la réalité virtuelle pour l’apprentissage (2013).

PhD Thesis Co-Supervisor

Abiven, M.M.: Humanités numériques : patrimoine et réalité virtuelle (expected in 2019).

Hoareau, C.: Elaboration et évaluation de recommandations ergonomiques pour le guidage de l’apprenant en EVAH : application à l’apprentissage de procédure dans le domaine biomédical (2016).

Polceanu, M.: ORPHEUS : raisonnement et prédiction avec des représentations hétérogènes en utilisant la simulation (2015).

Trinh, T.H.: Modèle de contraintes spatiotemporelles en environnement virtuel (2012).

Marion, N.: Modélisation de scénarios pédagogiques pour les environnements de réalité virtuelle d’apprentissage humain (2010).

Buche, C.: Un système tutoriel intelligent et adaptatif pour l'apprentissage de compétences en environnement virtuel de formation (2005).

EVAL-EVAH

This project is funded by Thales on the study of the use of virtual reality for training (2016-Present).

Cultural Heritage

This project is a collaboration with Centre François Viète to apply MASCARET to cultural heritage (2016-Present).

EAST

It is an e-education project of the national program of future investments. The objectif of this project is to develop 3D interactive environments for the learning of concepts, technical gestures and procedures in the field of renewable energies. Some partners: the Cesi, Insa de Rouen, Afpa, Dassault Systèmes, etc. (2013-Present).

Virtual Lab

I am participating to this european project of the TEMPUS program through the UBO. The objective is to provide simulation tools for biology and medicine-related learning for some universities in the Caucasus. Other partners: University of Westminster (United Kingdom), BioAnim (Slovenia), University of Tbilisi (2013-Present).

Gaspar II

It is a subcontracting project for the company CERVVAL on works resulting from the Gaspar project. The ENIB is transferring skills to CERVVAL (2013-2014).

SIFORAS

It is a FUI 11 project. This project, involving large industrialists (Alsthom, Dcns, Nexter, Renault, Sncf), aims to propose tools and methods for rapidly designing learning situations in virtual environments using PLM tools (2011-2014).

IVET

This project is financed by the company Diagnostica Stago. Its objective is to create a virtual environment for learning how the automata in the company operate. MASCARET is used for designing the virtual environment (2010-2014).

Gaspar

This project was the purpose of contract with DCNS. The goal was to simulate aircraft activities on an aircraft carrier. It has since been renewed for other types of vessels (2004-2013).

Securevi

The goal of this project is to simulate SEVESO sites in virtual environnments to train fire fighters. This project gave rise to some thirty industrial agreements. This work also led to the creation of Inovadys in 2005, which designs virtual reality backup plans (2000-2008).

Teaching

Brest National School of Engineering (ENIB)

Android

Object Oriented Programming

Augmented Reality

Arts Sciences and Technology University in Lebanon (AUL)

Introduction to Virtual Reality

Publications

International Journals

Hoareau, C.,  Querrec, R., Buche, C., and Ganier, F. (2017)  Evaluation of internal and external validity of a virtual environment for learning a long procedure., in:  International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction. To be publish. 

Saunier, J. Barange, M. Blandin, B., and  Querrec, R. (2016)  A methodology for the design of pedagogically adaptable learning environments. in:  The International Journal of Virtual Reality, 16 (01): 15--21. 

Ganier F., and Querrec, R. (2012)  TIP-EXE: A Software Tool for Studying the Use and Understanding of Procedural Documents. in:  IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication. 55(2):106--121 .

 Querrec, R., Buche C., Lecorre F. and Harrouet F. (2011)  Agent metamodel for virtual reality applications. in:  Studies in Computational Intelligence. 369:81--90. 

Buche C. and  Querrec, R. (2011)  An expert system manipulating knowledge to help learners into virtual environment. in:  Expert systems with applications. 38(7):8446--8457. 

Trinh T-H., Buche C.,  Querrec, R. and Tisseau J. (2009)  Modeling of Errors Realized by a Human Learner in Virtual Environment for Training. in:  International Journal of Computers, Communications and Control. 4(1):73–81. 

Popovici M., Gerval J-P., Hamza-Lup F.,  Querrec, R., Polceanu M., Popovici N. and Zagan R. (2009)  3D virtual spaces supporting engineering learning activities. in:  International Journal of Computers, Communications and Control. 4(4):401–414. 

Buche C.,  Querrec, R., Chevaillier P. and Kermarrec G. (2005).  Apports des systèmes tutoriaux intelligents et de la réalité virtuelle à l’apprentissage de compétences.  In:  In Cognito – Cahiers Romans de Sciences Cognitives (CRSC), 2(2):53–87. 

Buche C.,  Querrec, R., De Loor P. and Chevaillier P. (2004).  MASCARET : A pedagogical multi-agent system for virtual environment for training. In: International Journal of Distance Education Technologies (JDET), 2(4):41–61. 

 Querrec, R., Buche C., Maffre E. and Chevaillier P. (2004).  Multiagents systems for virtual environment for training. application to fire-fighting. In:  International Journal of Computers and Applications (IJCA), 1(1):25–34. 

International Conferences

Taoum, J., Nakhal, B., Bevacqua, E., and  Querrec, R.. (2016)  A Design Proposition for Interactive Virtual Tutors in an Informed Environment. In;  16th International Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents, (IVA’16) Los Angeles, California. 

Nakhal, B., Bevacqua, E., Said, B. and  Querrec, R. (2016)  Cognitive Architecture for Embodied Conversational Agent: Application on Virtual Learning Environment. In:  8th International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies, Barcelona, Spain. 

Saunier, J. Barange, M. Blandin, B.  Querrec, R. and Taoum, J. (2016)  Designing Adaptable Virtual Reality Learning Environments. In:  Virtual Reality International Conference, At Laval, France .

Haidar, H., Kalakech, A., Hamie, A., and  Querrec, R. (2015)  A Control Layer for a Peer-to-Peer Middleware Using Behavior Semantics. In:  The 11th IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Computer Communication and Processing (ICCP 2015) (pp."In Press"). Cluj-Napoca, Romania, Europe .

Haidar, H., Kalakech, A., Hamie, A., and  Querrec, R. (2015)  Reusability of DDS Information-Model for Distributed VRE. In:  The 21st International Conference on Parallel and Distributed Processing Techniques and Applications(PDPTA'15) (pp.198-204). Las Vegas, Nevada, USA .

Taoum, J., and Querrec, R. (2015)  Meta-Modeling for Procedural Learning in Virtual Environment. In:  The 21st International Conference of the Lebanese Association for the Advancement of the Science, (LAAS). Saint Joseph University (USJ), Beirut, Lebanon. 

Haidar, H., Kalakech, A., Hamie, A., and  Querrec, R. (2015)  Re-usability of Data Distribution Service for Virtual Reality Environment. In:  The 21st International Conference of the Lebanese Association for the Advancement of the Science, (LAAS), (pp.454-455). Saint Joseph University (USJ), Beirut, Lebanon. 

Le Corre F., Hoareau C., Ganier F., Buche C. and  Querrec, R.(2014)  A Pedagogical Scenario Language for Virtual Environment for Learning based on UML Meta-model. Application to Blood Analysis Instrument. In:  CSEDU , Barcelone, Espagne. 

Hoareau C., Le Corre F., Buche C.,  Querrec, R. and Franck Ganier (2013)  Evolution of cognitive load when learning a procedure in a Virtual Environment for Training In:  6th International Cognitive Load Theory Conference, 2013, Toulouse. 

 Querrec, R., Vallejo P., and Buche C. (2013)  MASCARET: create virtual learning environments from system modelling. In:  Engineering Reality of Virtual Reality (SPIE Electronic Imaging Conference), San Francisco, USA. 

Richir S., Fuchs P., Lourdeaux D.,  Querrec, R. and Buche C. (2013)  An industrial approach to design compelling VR and AR experience. In:  Engineering Reality of Virtual Reality (SPIE Electronic Imaging Conference), San Francisco, USA. 

Le Corre F., Fauvel c., Hoareau C.,  Querrec, R. and Buche C. (2012)  CHRYSAOR : an agent-based intelligent tutoring system in virtual environment. In:  International Conference on Virtual Learning, Roumanie. 

Barange M., De loor P., Louis V.,  Querrec, R., Soler J., Trinh T.H., Maisel E., and Chevaillier P. (2011)  Get involved in an interactive virtual tour of brest harbour: Follow the guide and participate. In:  11th International Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents, IVA11, Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence, 6895:93--99, Iceland. 

Trinh, T.-H., Chevaillier, P., Barange, M., Soler, J., De Loor, P. and  Querrec, R. (2011)  Integrating Semantic Directional Relationships into Virtual Environments: A Meta-modelling Approach. In:  Proceedings of the Joint Virtual Reality Conference of EGVE - EuroVR, JVRC'11, 67—74. 

Chevaillier P., Trinh T.H., Barange M., Devillers F., Soler J., De Loor P., and  Querrec, R. (2011)  Semantic modelling of virtual environments using MASCARET. In:  Proceedings of the Fourth Workshop on Software Engineering and Architectures for Realtime Interactive Systems, IEEE VR, Singapore. 

Trinh T.H.,  Querrec, R., De Loor P. and Chevaillier P. (2010)  Ensuring semantic spatial constraints in virtual environments using Uml/Ocl. In:  VRST 2010, Proceedings of the 2010 ACM symposium on Virtual Reality Software and Technology, pages 219–226, Hong Kong, Chine. 

Marion N.,  Querrec, R. and Chevaillier P. (2009)  Integrating knowledge from virtual reality environments to learning scenario models. A meta-modeling approach In:  International conference of Computer Supported Education, pages 254–259, Lisbonne, Portugal. 

Jallouli, J., Moreau, G. and  Querrec, R. (2008)  Wind turbines landscapes: using virtual reality for assessment of multisensory perception in motion. In:  ACM Virtual Reality Software and Technology, poster, Bordeaux, France. 

Ganier, F. and  Querrec, R. (2008)  TIP-EXE: Editeur d’expériences and d’évaluations de documents procéduraux. In:  De la France au Québec: l’écriture dans tous ses états; Symposium : Technologie et écriture., pages 40–42, Poitiers, France. 

Marion, N., Septseault C., Boudinot A. and  Querrec, R. (2007)  GASPAR: Aviation management on an aircraft carrier using virtual reality. In:  Cyberworlds., pages 15–22, Hanovre, Allemagne. 

Popovici M., Septseault C. and  Querrec, R. (2006)  Motivate them to communicate In:  International Conference Cyberworlds, pages 198–205, Lausanne, Suisse. 

Buche C. and  Querrec, R. (2005).  Intelligent tutoring system for MASCARET. In:  7th virtual reality international conference (VRIC’05), pages 105–108, Laval, France. IEEE Computer Society. 

Buche C. and  Querrec, R. (2005).  Simulate pedagogical reasoning in a virtual environment for training. In:  International Conference on Computers and Advanced Technology for Education (CATE’05), pages 183–187, Aruba. 

Buche C.,  Querrec, R. and De Loor P. (2005).  Système tutoriel intelligent pour l’apprentissage de travail procedural et collaboratif. In:  Troisièmes journées francophones Modèle Formels de l’Interaction (MFI’05), pages 205–210, Caen. Cépaduès. 

Buche C.,  Querrec, R. and Le Gall C. (2005).  Intelligent tutoring system for procedural and collaborative training. In:  8th World Conference on Computers in Education (WCCE’05), University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa. 

Popovici M.,  Querrec, R., Harrouet F. and Le Gall C. (2005).  VirtualDive, a VR-based educational virtual environment. In:  Symposium on symbolic and numeric algorithms for scientific computing, Timisoara, Roumanie. 

Popovici D. M., Buche C.,  Querrec, R. and Harrouet F. (2004).  An interactive agent-based learning environment for children. In:  International Conference on Cyberworlds (CW’04), pages 233–240, Tokyo, Japan. IEEE Computer Society. 

Buche C.,  Querrec, R., De Loor P. and Chevaillier P. (2003).  MASCARET : Pedagogical multi-agents system for virtual environment for training. In:  International Conference on Cyberworlds (CW’03), pages 423–430, Singapore. School of Computer Engeneering, Nanyang Technological Unviversity, IEEE Computer Society. 

Buche C.,  Querrec, R., Maffre E., Chevaillier P. and De Loor P. (2003).  MASCARET: multiagent system for virtual environment for training. In:  5th virtual reality international conference (VRIC’03), pages 159–164, Laval, France. IEEE Computer Society. 

 Querrec, R., Buche C., Maffre E. and Chevaillier P. (2003).  Multiagents systems for virtual environnement for training. In:  International Conference on Computers and Advanced Technology in Education (CATE’03), pages 647–652, Rhodes, Greece. ACTA Press. 

 Querrec, R., Buche C., Maffre E. and Chevaillier P. (2003).  SécuRéVi : virtual environments for fire-fighting training. In:  5th virtual reality international conference (VRIC’03), pages 169–175, Laval, France.IEEE Computer Society. 

 Querrec, R., Chevaillier P. and Tisseau J. (2002) Invited paper  Virtual reality and multiagent systems for fire fighting training in virtual environment. In:  WRV 02, Rio de Janeiro, Brésil. 

 Querrec, R., Reignier P. and Chevaillier P. (2001)  Humans and autonomous agents interactions in a virtual environment for fire-fighting training. In:  Virtual reality international conference (VRIC’01), pages 57–64, Laval, France. 

 Querrec R., De Loor P. and Chevaillier P. (2001)  Environnement virtuel pour la formation des officiers sapeurs-pompiers. In:  Journées francophones sur l’intelligence artificielle distribuée et les systèmes multi-agents (JFIADSMA’01), pages 311–314, Montréal, Québec-Canada. 

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