Hi all,
I’m a computer science instructor who is also interested in video gaming. For many years now, I have been trying to develop a way to integrate 3D gaming into my introduction to Java course.
The result is Env3D (http://env3d.org), a 3D engine that is focused on education. It integrates with BlueJ, a Java IDE for students, and features easy applet creation so students can be deploy their work online very easily (you can deploy your 3D applets directly from the IDE itself).
Along with the engine is a set of lessons (http://env3d.org/beta/lessons) on basic OO concepts, but also touch on game design issues. I have been using these lessons internally in my own classroom for many years, and I feel that it has evolved to a point where both the 3D engine and the lessons are ready for public consumption.
Feel free to poke around the site and let me know if you have any comments or suggestions.