The DeepTree Exhibit: Visualizing the Tree of Life to Facilitate Informal Learning.
IEEE Trans Vis Comput Graph
; 18(12): 2789-98, 2012 Dec.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-26357188
ABSTRACT
In this paper, we present the DeepTree exhibit, a multi-user, multi-touch interactive visualization of the Tree of Life. We developed DeepTree to facilitate collaborative learning of evolutionary concepts. We will describe an iterative process in which a team of computer scientists, learning scientists, biologists, and museum curators worked together throughout design, development, and evaluation. We present the importance of designing the interactions and the visualization hand-in-hand in order to facilitate active learning. The outcome of this process is a fractal-based tree layout that reduces visual complexity while being able to capture all life on earth; a custom rendering and navigation engine that prioritizes visual appeal and smooth fly-through; and a multi-user interface that encourages collaborative exploration while offering guided discovery. We present an evaluation showing that the large dataset encouraged free exploration, triggers emotional responses, and facilitates visitor engagement and informal learning.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Phylogeny
/
Biology
/
Computer Graphics
/
Information Dissemination
/
Exhibitions as Topic
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
America do norte
Language:
En
Journal:
IEEE Trans Vis Comput Graph
Journal subject:
INFORMATICA MEDICA
Year:
2012
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States