VizClass

This project involves the development of a new interactive learning environment —incorporating both a specially designed lecture room and laboratory —called VizClass. VizClassintegrates 2- and 3-dimensional spatial learning by coupling a series of interactive projection display boards (2D white boards) and a semi-immersive (3D stereo equipped) wall display controlled by a dedicated visualization server. Each of these spaces (devices) will be connected to a numerical solver. Active white board screens providing either an input or output workspace will be linked to each other and to the numerical solver via a high-speed (large storage capacity) server. The solver will receive feedback from the input or ‘working’ screen in the form chosen by the user. If the input-mode is of type equation, the solver will manipulate the equations and output the solution as either a 2- or 3-dimensional visual object to the selected output device in either mono- or stereoscopic form. Visual output can be for example, a distorted or contoured mesh with stresses, strains or flow distribution, or figures annotating important engineering parameters.