Lesson Plan 3

Introduction to Virtual Reality

Lesson Title	Introduction to Virtual Reality
Duration	1 class (1.5 hours)
Synopsis	This class provides a high-level overview of the technical topics which will be covered in depth throughout the course. Specific topics which are covered include stereopsis and 3D stereographic displays, the fundamentals of animation, computer rendering, virtual reality and the DAFFIE software system.
Description of Class	This lesson is intended to expose the students to the concepts and capabilities which will be taught throughout the course. While most of the topics are only covered at a very high-level, the students should come away with a sense of the kinds of elements that they will be learning and able to incorporate into their final project for the course. The students should attain a clear understanding of stereopsis, the perception of depth resulting from binocular vision. This is one of the primary mechanisms used in the Deep Vision Display wall to achieve a 3D effect. The students should also gain an understanding of how animation is achieved from a sequence of still images. Lastly the students should gain a basic understanding of the process whereby a computer renders a graphical image from a numerical model.
Primary Educational Objective	Stereopsis and binocular vision. Principles of animation. Basic concepts underlying the representation of 3D objects by mathematical/numeric models. Projection and perspective. Basic properties of computer rendering.
Additional Concepts and Skills	Visual perception of depth and motion Light as an electromagnetic wave Mathematical and simulation modeling
Assessment	Class discussions
Classroom Activities	This class consists of lecture materials plus a demonstration of a virtual world of the type the students will construct in the class. A set of PowerPoint slides with the lecture materials is provided. After a brief introduction the students are shown a virtual world using the DVD Wall and other related equipment. The students are shown how to “navigate” in the world using the joystick/game controller. Attention is called to visual elements in the world which will be explored further in the lecture. To illustrate polarization, two pieces of polarizing materials are distributed (the stereo glasses can be used for this). The students rotate the materials to demonstrate light blocking when the materials are rotated at 90 degrees to each other.
Homework Assignments	None
Lecture Materials	Lecture materials are available as a Power Point presentation
Reference Materials	TBD
Prerequisites (this course)	Introduction/demonstration of virtual worlds
Related topics (other classes)	Polarization of light Perspective representation in drawing in painting Properties of cameras and photography Geometric projection
Technology Requirements	DVD Wall system DAFFIE software DAFFIE demonstration world