Inteli-Giga-Pixel-Palooza Creating and Assessing Effective Uses of Digital Outcrop Models in Geoscience Education Cari Johnson and Ian Semple University of Utah Salt Lake City, USA US-NSF-DUE: Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvements (CCLI) Johnson and Semple, 2009

The Challenge: Earth Science Visualization - Mental Models - Mental Tasks 2D-3D conversions; 4D (deep time)2D-3D conversions; 4D (deep time) Dynamic processes in ‘static’ outcropsDynamic processes in ‘static’ outcrops Interactive scalingInteractive scaling Complex rotationsComplex rotations Perspective shiftingPerspective shifting Extrapolation/visual penetrationExtrapolation/visual penetration Visual recallVisual recall Pattern/shape recognitionPattern/shape recognition Johnson and Semple, 2009

Possible Solutions: U-DOM project (Utah Digital Outcrop Models) How to go from this to this and does this help? from this to this and does this help?  Series of freely available labs and exercises  Current emphasis on intro and undergraduate level  Basic visuo-spatial thinking skills  Sedimentary geology applications  Using: gigapans and photorealistic terrestrial lidar (intelipixels) with Google Earth platform Johnson and Semple, 2009

U-DOM project: Gigapans ( – search for UU_Geo) You program the field of view, it takes 100s of photos and stitches them (free software).You program the field of view, it takes 100s of photos and stitches them (free software). Result is a smart and seamless photopanorama utility.Result is a smart and seamless photopanorama utility. Easy to share with others.Easy to share with others. Not georeferenced/spatially corrected.Not georeferenced/spatially corrected. Tripod-mounted robotic attachment for digital cameras ($300-$450*).Tripod-mounted robotic attachment for digital cameras ($300-$450*). Johnson and Semple, 2009

U-DOM project: Gigapans ( – search for UU_Geo) Johnson and Semple, 2009

U-DOM project: terrestrial lidar Intelipixels: New solutions to old problems? Software and hardware solution – currently retrofitting Riegl, Optech, other scanners.Software and hardware solution – currently retrofitting Riegl, Optech, other scanners. Photorealistic 3D/spatially correct picture – each digital datapoint contains: XYZ, RGB, and d-GPS information.Photorealistic 3D/spatially correct picture – each digital datapoint contains: XYZ, RGB, and d-GPS information. Real-world data interaction, no meshing or draping.Real-world data interaction, no meshing or draping. Johnson and Semple, 2009

U-DOM project: terrestrial lidar Cretaceous Straight Cliffs Formation: GSENM, southern Utah Johnson and Semple, 2009

U-DOM project: terrestrial lidar Intelipixels: New solutions to old problems? New generation of ground based lidar has solved many of the old problems with meshing and photodraping…New generation of ground based lidar has solved many of the old problems with meshing and photodraping… But file size and memory/ graphics requirements are still an issue.But file size and memory/ graphics requirements are still an issue. Google Earth is a possible sharing venue via ENVI export.Google Earth is a possible sharing venue via ENVI export. Johnson and Semple, 2009

U-DOM project The next step: Testing DOMs as an educational resource. Create a series of training exercises based on DOMs, measured sections, field GR, cross sections, etc.Create a series of training exercises based on DOMs, measured sections, field GR, cross sections, etc. Cretaceous Straight Cliffs Formation, southern Utah Johnson and Semple, 2009

Example Modules: Understanding spatial scaling and photo distortion Pretest: what are the approximate dimensions of features A, B, C and how do you know? -Additional information given: sizes of certain nearby features, height of cliffs, etc. (interactive displays) Post-test: do these additional clues help with this and future scaling estimate tasks? ~20 cm ~3 m Johnson and Semple, 2009

Example Modules: Rotation and Perspective Shifting Can students recognize the same outcrops shown from different perspectives? Or the same geologic features shown on different (but related) outcrops?Can students recognize the same outcrops shown from different perspectives? Or the same geologic features shown on different (but related) outcrops? Integrate fully interactive 3D lidar dataset – does having access to this ‘training’ set improve these skills?Integrate fully interactive 3D lidar dataset – does having access to this ‘training’ set improve these skills? Johnson and Semple, 2009

Example Modules: ‘Forest for the Trees’ – interpretation of sedimentary features from complex outcrop information Create a series of outcrop ‘maps’ that discern basic observations (i.e., what is original to the depositional system versus what is post- depositional)Create a series of outcrop ‘maps’ that discern basic observations (i.e., what is original to the depositional system versus what is post- depositional) Incrementally add more information: measured sections, detailed photos of sed structures, etc.Incrementally add more information: measured sections, detailed photos of sed structures, etc. Johnson and Semple, 2009

Summary, U-DOM project Stage 1: Initial Lessons Learned GigaPans = photopans extraordinairre! Easy to make and share, but not explicitly georeferenced GigaPans = photopans extraordinairre! Easy to make and share, but not explicitly georeferenced Terrestrial lidar is getting easier Terrestrial lidar is getting easier Sharing, file size, and format are still challenges Sharing, file size, and format are still challenges Johnson and Semple, 2009

Summary, U-DOM project, Stage 2 The next step: Testing DOMs as an educational resource. Create a series of training exercises based on DOMs, measured sections, field GR, cross sections, etc. Create a series of training exercises based on DOMs, measured sections, field GR, cross sections, etc. -Working with cognitive psychologist and computer science visualization experts -Rigorous testing of learning outcomes -Preserve interactivity; Use multimedia formats -Ease-of-use and global sharing on common platform Coming in 2010: Johnson and Semple, 2009

Conclusions Earth Science Visualization: Seeing is believing? Our science requires complex spatial perception and visualization tasks; Individuals show enormous range in their abilities to accomplish these tasks.Our science requires complex spatial perception and visualization tasks; Individuals show enormous range in their abilities to accomplish these tasks. More research is needed to really define what works to create accurate and effective mental models.More research is needed to really define what works to create accurate and effective mental models. If guidelines for effective visualizations and pedagogy are followed carefully, it seems promising that we can add DOMs to the arsenal of geoscience education tools.If guidelines for effective visualizations and pedagogy are followed carefully, it seems promising that we can add DOMs to the arsenal of geoscience education tools. Johnson and Semple, 2009