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Cyberweeds: The Virtual Dandelion Department of Plant Pathology,
Physiology, and Weed Science, the Center for Excellence in Undergraduate
Teaching Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Project Contacts: Peter Sforza and Dr. Kriton Hatzios |
| The Virtual Dandelion is a teaching application for the visualization
of several key aspects of plant biology using the CAVE™ technology at Virginia Tech and VRML for the web. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) was chosen for
this project because of its widespread recognition as a common weed in urban landscapes,
the unique structural form, and its specialized adaptations to an intensively managed
environment. The CAVEtm (Cave Automated Virtual Environment) provides an immersive environment for visualization, which may enhance a viewer’s perception and retention of the information presented. This may be particularly important in teaching scientific or technical material containing complex concepts and a highly specialized vocabulary. In addition to being immersive, the CAVE is interactive. An electromagnetic sensor updates the scene according to the position and movements of the user. The user interacts with the virtual environment using various control devices including a wand controller, gloves, and LCD stereo glasses. |
(temporarily out of order, but you can try it anyway) Click here for the Virtual Farm (vrml) |
| VRML, pronounced
either "vee-are-em-ell" or "VER-mul", is an abbreviation for Virtual
Reality Modeling Language. VRML is the standard for interactive 3D objects on the
internet. VRML worlds are viewed with a VRML browser, which is built into some of the
standard internet browsers or it can be added as a plug-in for older browsers. A detailed
description of VRML can be found at the VRML
Repository.
Take a look at the setting for the Virtual Dandelion: the (temporarily out of order, but you can try it anyway)Virtual Farm (vrml), based on the Randolf Aigner farm in Henrico County, Virginia. To view this, a VRML browser such as is needed.
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