A New Stereoscopic (3D) Media Database and Teaching Strategy for Use in Large-Lecture Introductory Geoscience Courses

ABSTRACT

Stereoscopic displays provide geoscience instructors with the ability to teach students the fundamental, and inherently three-dimensional, components of landforms and landscapes; yet the prevalence of such displays in higher education is limited. As costs of these systems continue to decrease, more instructors may wish to take advantage of stereoscopic display systems in their classroom. This paper serves as a guide for instructors who wish to install and use their own stereoscopic display systems using a case study conducted at the University of Kansas. The operational aspects covered include: creating stereo images, displaying stereoscopic images, selecting a stereoscopic display, and developing a new teaching strategy that incorporates the stereo system into the classroom environment. Additionally, a new database of stereoscopic media is provided to help promote the implementation of stereoscopic displays and free and open distribution of 3D teaching material.

Key words: :

• stereopsis
• GeoWall
• 3D programs
• Google Earth

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the University of Kansas Information Technology department for providing funds for our stereo system at the University of Kansas and the University of Kansas Department of Geography for purchasing the 3D glasses necessary to use the system. We also thank Erin Hamilton and The EyeDoctors Optometrists for their generous support of our research. This work was supported by the National Science Foundation's Geoscience Education program under Award No. GEO-1035035. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.