Here is a beginning list of the functionality that the student interface needs to contain.

Functionality:

• navigation between data sets - should this be implicit or explicit?
• interface to Visualization Functions
• access to Tools
• logging features
• access to virtual encyclopedia
• access to tools use
• access to tool tutorials
• integration of the narrative
• a hints function (part of narrative?)
• description of Data Set
• comunication with other students/instructor
• a way to evaluate student progress (perhaps coupled with narrative, communication issues and hints?)