Geography Learning Technology Based on 3D CG with Geology Data Archives I would like to talk about　題名 Daisuke Yoshino, ◎Satoshi Kishira, Miyuki Shimizu, Kensei Tsuchida, Shin-ya Uehara, Takeo Yaku

１ 　　　　　　Introduction First, I will speak about Introduction and background of this research

Background and Purpose We present a next generation learning technology using 3D systems We present a next generation learning technology using 3D systems 2D maps or 2D figures learning directly from 3D data

Background We developed the WBT system for Geography education VRML, and stereographic manipulating systems A large dome-type stereographic system But such systems require Expensive Large-scale equipment and contain information only on fragmentary subjects

Purpose We will introduce the system structure of the learning system using 3D systems and describing how the system was developed from digital elevation map data It’s an inexpensive polarized light stereographic system (stereogram) using popular crystal projectors Including a Geography courseware that comprehensively supports Geography

Purpose We investigate the effectiveness of our system using statistical methods We test the system by providing content so users can view 3D Geography, learning directly from 3D data A questionnaire was used to ask about the content of the system and about 3D landforms

2 I would like to talk about system Overview System Overview

Our system consists of one server system and two types of client system. The server system includes VRML and HTML content on a Web server One client system, called the full learning client system, can use HTML and VRML content and stereographic content using a polarized light system The other client system, called the simple learning system, can only use HTML and VRML content on a normal VDT

Full learning client system VRML-to-polarized light One client system, called the full learning client system, can use HTML and VRML content and stereographic content using a polarized light system VRML and HTML content Internet This figure shows a diagram of the layout of our system Full learning client system Video screen VDT Polarized light projector Polarized light projector Keyboard PC VRML viewer + VRML-to-polarized light data converter

The other client system, called the simple learning system, can only use HTML and VRML content on a normal VDT VRML and HTML content Internet This figure shows a diagram of the layout of our system Simple learning system VDT PC VRML viewer Keyboard

The full learning client system VRML in a video screen 2 polarized light projectors a real-time VRML-to-polarized light data converter This picture shows a student using the learning system It includes a keyboard and monitor, 2 polarized light projectors, a video screen and the PC with VRML viewer and a real-time VRML-to-polarized light data converter

The simple mode of our system The simple mode of our system includes only the VRML viewer The simple mode is suitable for students’ home computer systems without 3D stereographic instruments. Figure 3 is a picture of a client system in a usually terminal room

Simple learning system Name Spec. Misc PC PC with VRML viewer Needs to run on the VRML data Simple learning system PC 2GB memory 2 channel RGB output   VRML–to-polarized light data converter Flexight (SGI, Silicon studio) Real-time conversion 2 polarized light projectors 2000 lumens Portable type Video screen 80“ Full learning client system This figure shows system spec

3 I would like to talk about development process Development Process

Development Process Our system uses and converts data from the following data archives DEM 50M , DEM 250M , and DEM NASA GTOPO30. We convert this to 30-second mesh (900 M) Pictures from NASA satellites The system also requires the following software tools and documents during development Japanese governmental geography education guidelines Converters between DEMs and VRML through H7code files

4 I would like to talk about teaching materials Teaching Materials

Teaching Materials This system consists of each contents Explanation of VRMLViewer Geography CAI Geology CAI 3D Inou-Map Time Series 3D Map Shimotakaido 3D Map Volcanoe, Volcanic Lake, Volcanic Island Character Extraction 3D Silkroad

System start page We made 3Dcontents such as topographical maps by three-dimensional indication. System start page

The learner's display The frame on the left shows selection and control menus. The frame on the right shows content. The VRML data are usually displayed in the right frame. VRML content　of　TOYOKAWA　３D　Topographical　Map

3D landforms This is a example of 3D landforms A VRML content　of　Mt.Nantai

5 I would like to talk about estimation Estimation

Purpose We evaluated our system with the aim of using the results to refine the system We investigated users’ impressions of the design and usability of the system and surveyed A questionnaire about the content of the system and about 3D landforms

Questionnaire We interviewed three people and asked about their knowledge of terms used in the system in order to make this questionnaire Their interest in the content The clarity of term explanation The difficulty of the content The system’s promotion of science Interviewees provided information about usability of the viewer and quality, size and reality of motion pictures. The information was used for making items of questionnrie

Questionnaire We applied the KJ method to the interview answers and selected 30 items for the questionnaire Questionnaire used a five-point scale rating system The questionnaire had 25 questions, each scored from 0 to 4

Participants 35 students participated in our experiment Average age of 19.2 years We excluded data from two participants because of data loss, finally using 33 participants’ data for analysis

Factor analysis Unweighted least squares and varimax rotation Extracted five factors from the analysis Eigenvalues is used in order to identify a number of factor The eigenvalues 9.19 for the first factor 3.59 for the second factor 2.44 for the third factor 1.91 for the fourth factor 1.61 for the fifth factor Users evaluated the system from five viewpoints. We grouped into five factors and named them.

Results We evaluated our system with the aim of using the results to refine the system We investigated users’ impressions of the design and usability of the system and surveyed A questionnaire about the content of the system and about 3D landforms.

Results Factor 1 “interest and attraction” Average scores were 2.49 Factor 2 “evaluation of 3D maps” Average scores were 2.31 Factor 3 “usability” Average scores were 2.75 Factor 4 “design” Average scores were 2.06 Factor 5 “promotion of learning effect” Average scores were 3.03 ※Max score is 4 Factor ~ we named ~ Average score were ~ where the top score is 4

Factor Analysis Five Factor interview answers KJ method ① interest and attraction ② evaluation of 3D maps ③ usability ④ design ⑤ promotion of learning effect Factor Analysis KJ method selected 30 items for the questionnaire

Results The system promotes interest in Geography and geology, since the score for “promotion of learning effect” is rather high (3.03). We found that users were interested in studying landform maps and mechanisms of landform formation. All factors scored higher than 2, meaning that the system is effective.

6 Conclusion

Conclusion Our evaluation showed the effectiveness and advantages of stereographic displays over contemporary VDT. We found that users were interested in studying landform maps and mechanisms of landform formation, areas in which users had not previously been interested.

Future study We need to construct a system in which the control page is displayed to the user’s desk monitor and the stereographic system frames the control page into the stereographic screen. All factors scored higher than 2, meaning that the system is effective. We will refine the user interface of the system in order to increase user comfort, since the “design” factor scored rather low (2.06)