VIRTUAL VIEWS OF THE SOUTHWEST IN THE CLASSROOM

Geology is a visual, three- and four-dimensional science. Since we live in a three-dimensional world, it seems only natural that we should develop instructional materials and tools that help students organize and perceive information in the same context. Computer-based, geoeducation materials typically are the electronic equivalent of textbooks, where students passively flip (click) from one page to the next, without interacting deeply with the material in either a physical or intellectual sense. Advances in computer hardware, software, and the Internet now allow us to develop materials that engage the students in a three-dimensional realm.

We have created a variety of virtual views of the Southwest, most involving draping of some type of image over digital topography. Images we have draped over digital topography include the new Geologic Map of Arizona (in 1 X 1 degree squares), quadrangle-scale geologic maps of classic localities, satellite images, and topographic contours. For each of these, we have used the program Corel Bryce4 to create 3D perspectives that are combined into QuickTime Virtual Reality (QTVR) object movies, which permit the user to spin the terrain to view it from any perspective. Depending on the movie, the user may also be able to gain a higher or lower perspective, change the orientation of layers within the terrain, make the terrain more transparent to reveal the internal structural geometry, or successively flood topography with water to explore the significance of contours.

The benefits of these materials are many. QTVR movies are not “click once and watch” animations – the student must interact with the movies to get anything to happen. The nonlinear nature of the movies allows students to freely explore, asking and answering questions. Directly manipulating the movies and gaining different perspectives of the terrain allow the 3D visualization of information, and therefore must impact how a student thinks, learns, and interprets geologic terrains and environments. Virtual views may also increase spatial-visualization skills and help students absorb, process, and synthesize information, allowing for higher order thinking and concept construction.

See http://geology.asu.edu/~reynolds/home.htm