GeoWall 3D projection system is a critical tool to understand the complex spatial relationships, espetially in the earth science education and research. Traditional teaching methods have strongly relied on the 2D representations through maps and profiles that are occasionally augmented by physical models. Students often find it difficult to master 3D spatial phenomana with these classic tools. GeoWall 3D projection system can serve as a bridge to increase students' perception of maps, images and aerial views, or allow students to interactively manipulate 3D, time-dependent visualizations of research data sets and mathematical models that move well beyond traditional education materials.
The GeoWall Project is an initiative to build low-cost, high-quality stereo projection systems at a number of research and education institutions. By standardizing the technical design of these systems, materials developed by one institution can be used by any of the other member institutions. This allows institutions to easily adopt materials that they could not produce in-house and fosters a community capable of generating curriculum materials that take advantage of stereo projection technology. Although not universally applicable across earth science education, stereo projection systems have the potential to transform the way that we teach many earth science concepts.
The GeoWall mission in the center is to broaden the use of scientific visualization tools for Earth Science research and education by the use of low cost virtual reality visualization devices. |