The ability to move from the flat, two dimensional world to an immersive, three-dimensional world is one of the advantages to incorporating QuickTime panoramas into web curriculum. Panoramas allow the viewer to actually experience and explore a place or thing by viewing objects in three dimensions rather than just viewing a flat, two-dimensional image.

Several web designers are taking advantage of this "immersive" technology to add dimension to their web creations. The following examples include parks, nature centers, gardens, museums, wildlife preserves and virtual field trips. The following site listings and links should help you to determine ways in which QuickTime VR can be a valuable educational tool in your own classroom.

Educational Uses

This QuickTime VR panorama affords the viewer an opportunity to visit the inside of one of the great pyramids and experience the sensation of moving down into the massive structure. A choice of high resolution or low resolution is available depending on the speed of your computer.

The Dino Inquiry site uses QuickTime VR to examine dinosaur bones to determine function based on visual observations.

  • Dino Inquiry

http://www.ncsu.edu/sciencejunction/terminal/lessons/dino/index.html

The following site uses QuickTime VR and topographic maps to help students learn about location by comparing the maps and the QuickTime VR panoramas.

  • Which Way is North?

http://www.ncsu.edu/sciencejunction/terminal/lessons/wwn/index.html

The QuickTime VR panorama from National Geographic shows how a dinosaurs may have appeared and behaved many years ago.

  • Dinorama

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/dinorama/feathered.html

Visit the Miami Museum of Science to view the exhibit on reptiles.

  • Reptiles: Real and Robotic

http://www.miamisci.org/reptiles/reptilevr.html

http://www.miamisci.org/reptiles/reptilevrrobotic.html

This collection of QuickTime VR panoramas demonstrates an ideal way for students to experience the holocaust by virtually visiting the concentration camps and extermination camps used to contain and execute prisoners.

  • A Teacher's Guide to the Holocaust

http://fcit.coedu.usf.edu/holocaust/resource/VR.htm

NASA maintains an archive of QuickTime VR panoramas and movies which can be utilized to enhance your earth/space curriculum.

  • Virtual Reality Archive

http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/vr/vr.html

  • Apollo 11 Moon Landing Panorama

http://www.pgd.hawaii.edu/prpdc/vr/apollo/ap11stn4.html

Take your students on a virtual tour of the Louvre Museum.

  • The Louvre Museum

http://www.louvre.or.jp/louvre/QTVR/anglais/index.htm

Go on PBS's Hidden New York QuickTime VR journey and visit all of the five boroughs virtually.

  • New York: An Online Documentary.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/newyork/hidden/index.html

Natural Areas

Both of these Quick VR panoramas include the sounds of a waterfall to enhance the experience.

  • Silver Falls

http://www.virtualenvironments.com/SilverFalls.html

  • Cathrin Creek Trail

http://www.virtualenvironments.com/CathrinCreek.html

This example is enhanced with the sounds of geese and other wildlife.

  • Coldwater Lake

http://www.virtualenvironments.com/cclake.html

This QuickTime VR panorama experience is intensified with the sound of birds chirping. You can almost smell the fragrance of blossoming flowers as you walk down the path and cross the bridge.

  • The Moon Bridge at the Japanese Gardens

http://www.virtualenvironments.com/moonbridge.html

This panoramic experience is heightened with the sounds of wildlife which are native to the area.

  • Mt. St. Helens and the Toutle River

http://www.virtualenvironments.com/sthelens.html

This QuickTime VR panorama depicts the 4-H garden at the Michigan State University.

  • Science Discovery Garden

http://4hgarden.msu.edu/tour/33vr.html

©2000-2002 April A. Cleveland for Science Junction, NC State University.
All rights reserved.
URL: http://www.ncsu.edu/sciencejunction/route/usetech/panoramapc/samplepanopc.html
Last updated 07/28/02

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