GEOPOD: Geoscience Probe of Discovery

这一研究项目(GEOPOD)的重点是开发一个软件模块，该模块实现了一个交互式、直观的界面--“GEOpod”，允许用户探索真实地球物理数据的3D沉浸世界，驱动虚拟设备收集数据和记录观测，同时遵循为本科生定制的教学设计策略。由于数据将包括真实的观测和图像，以及基于实际物理的数值模型的模拟数据，因此探测环境自然表现出技术精度、科学可靠性、物理一致性、真实性和高保真度；这些属性对于教育目标的合成模拟来说是巨大的挑战和昂贵的。GEOpod将使用户能够驾驶船只同时探测，例如飓风眼，并体验感兴趣的点，同时沉浸在真实的风暴模拟中。该软件模块将扩展Unidata的综合数据查看器(IDV)，并利用其协作实用程序使用户能够同时参与小组学习活动和实时共享信息。拟议项目的广泛影响包括提供免费、开源的IDV扩展；开发学习模块，通过评估规则、关键外部评估和教学技术专家了解和改进教学策略；以及吸引来自地球科学和计算机科学界的学生和大学教育工作者参与。S可通过网络访问的、基于JAVA的软件将跨操作系统运行。NSF在Unidata和用于大气发现的链接环境(LEAD)方面的投资将得到大量利用。最后，这一努力的成果将通过关于地球科学技术和教育、图形和虚拟现实的会议、Unidata已建立的社区门户网站和研讨会以及美国气象学会、美国地球物理联盟和计算机械协会等国家科学场所广泛传播。据估计，GEOPOD有可能通过地球科学专业的课程整合和非专业的大招生入门课程，为美国和其他国家近200所高等教育机构的2万名本科生提供丰富的学习环境。

This research project (GEOPOD) focuses on the development of a software module that implements an interactive, intuitive interface - the "GEOpod", that allows users to probe a 3D immersion world of authentic geophysical data, actuate virtual devices to collect data and record observations, while guided by instructional design strategies that are customized for undergraduate learners. Because the data will consist of real observations and imagery, and simulated data from numerical models based on actual physics, the exploration environment naturally exhibits technical accuracy, scientific soundness, physical consistency, authenticity, and high fidelity; attributes that are otherwise enormously challenging and costly for synthetic simulations targeted for education. GEOpod will enable a user to pilot a vessel to simultaneously probe, the eye of a hurricane for example, and experience points of interest while immersed in an authentic storm simulation. The software module will extend Unidata's Integrated Data Viewer (IDV), and utilize its collaborative utility to allow simultaneous users to engage in group learning activities and share information in real time.Broader impacts of the proposed project include the delivery of a free, open-source IDV extension; development of learning modules with instructional strategies informed and improved by assessment rubrics, critical external evaluation, and experts in instructional technology; and engagement of students and university educators from the geosciences and computer science communities. GEOPOD?s Web-accessible, Java-based software will operate across operating systems. NSF investments in Unidata and Linked Environments for Atmospheric Discovery (LEAD) will be heavily leveraged. Finally, the products of this effort will be widely disseminated through conferences on geosciences technology and education, graphics, and virtual reality; Unidata's established community portal and workshops; and national scientific venues such as the American Meteorological Society, American Geophysical Union, and the Association for Computing Machinery. It is estimated that GEOPOD has the potential to enrich the learning environment for 20,000 undergraduates in the nearly 200 higher education institutions in the U.S. and other countries through course integrations for geosciences majors and large-enrollment introductory courses for non-majors.