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Revelation: Pioneering International Education Using Hominid Remains
and High-Fidelity Digital Models
James
Devine, Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery
Malcolm
Atkinson, University of Glasgow
Revelation, a major new SHEFC funded initiative, will provide a high-performance
network infrastructure at the University of Glasgow, providing high-capacity
servers, enabling high-fidelity information transfer and sophisticated
presentation systems at the forefront of technology. The Revelation
platform will enable pioneering new models of communication, a quantum
leap beyond the present Internet facilities, providing a leading edge
resource for electronic publication, network technology and computer-assisted
consultation, collaboration and distance learning. The first pilot project
for Revelation is already under way. The Hunterian Museum with the Department
of Computing Science are developing a fully interactive online course
in Hominid Evolution for delivery to the UK schools science curriculum,
and, with the collaboration of the Smithsonian Institution, the US/Canadian
K-12 curriculum.
Initially we employ QuickTime Virtual Reality and 3-D modelling
techniques to present on screen rotational and morphing images of
a range of hominid skulls in the Hunterian collections, and incorporating
computer based techniques developed in the University's Department
of Forensic Medicine, Facial Identification Centre, to reconstruct
the facial features of a selection of these early hominids. We are
developing multi-camera photogrammetric techniques to enable rapid
and economic capture of 3-D models precise enough for diagnostic measurement.
The repository will be organised to hold a wide range of source data
and individual progress data concerning interpretation of 3-D rendered
models. The interface for students and teachers will allow access
and analysis of this data. We will explore how best to organise and
guide their use of this information and to enable efficient support
of remote learners in groups as well as individual use. This depends
heavily on Java to avoid requirements for sophisticated computing
skills in our users and the schools.
Last modified: January 12, 1998. This file can be found below http://www.archimuse.com/mw98/
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