Stereopsis to Support Discovery-Based Learning
Stephanie A. Smullen, Clinton Wills Smullen IV · E-Learn: World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education · 2005
Abstract: Stereopsis is an important part of scientific visualization in some areas, such as the geosciences, physics, mathematics, medicine and chemistry. Its use is increasing in many others such as architecture, land management, and homeland security and in workforce training programs. It is important that students studying these subjects be trained in the use of such visualization tools. The use of stereopsis can also benefit non-specialist students by encouraging discovery-based learning and enabling a student to manipulate the data presentation to uncover relationships and to build insight. This paper discusses the technologies used to display stereoscopic 3D images. Affordable hardware solutions are discussed for a variety of viewing techniques: GeoWall, shutter glasses, and anaglyphs. Special software is needed for stereoscopic viewing. Two viewing programs, Stereoviewer and StereoFunctions, are presented with applications. Introduction The widespread use of computers in education has developed only over the last twenty-five years. Early computers presented information using a one-dimensional line-based interface. In the last fifteen years two-dimensional presentations, such as the graphical user interface using windows, icons, menus and mice, have become standard. On the web, pages largely use the two-dimensional document model. In the last decade three-dimensional technology has advanced, driven by improvements in computing and display power. Sophisticated graphical displays are rapidly becoming the norm in several professional fields. The current student generation has grown up with TV, multimedia computer games and sophisticated animated movies. Leading edge graphics technology can be used to engage their interest and deepen their learning experience.