Effects of Seating Location and Stereoscopic Display on Learning Outcomes in an Introductory Physical Geography Class

• Published in: Journal of geoscience education 2014-02, Vol.62 (1), p.126-137
• Main Authors: Hirmas, Daniel R., Slocum, Terry, Halfen, Alan F., White, Travis, Zautner, Eric, Atchley, Paul, Liu, Huan, Johnson, William C., Egbert, Stephen, McDermott, Dave
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Audience Response Systems; Class Organization; Classroom Environment; Computer Peripherals; Control Groups; Design; Education; Formative Evaluation; GeoWall; Introductory Courses; Outcomes of Education; Physical Geography; Projection Equipment; Proximity; Scientific Concepts; Scores; seating angle; seating distance; Spatial Ability; Student Evaluation; Summative Evaluation; Undergraduate Students; viewing angle; Visual Aids
• ISSN: 1089-9995; 2158-1428
• DOI: 10.5408/12-362.1

Recently, the use of stereoscopic three-dimensional (3-D) projection displays has increased in geoscience education. One concern in employing 3-D projection systems in large lecture halls, however, is that the 3-D effect is reported to diminish with increased angle and distance from the stereoscopic display. The goal of this work was to study that effect in a classroom "real-world" lecture environment where such technology would actually be employed. Introductory physical geography concepts were taught to undergraduate students at the University of Kansas through a GeoWall (passive 3-D projection system) display with either static diagrams or interactive globe imagery (Google Earth). Student learning was gauged using both formative (in-class clicker questions) and summative (exam) assessments. We evaluated the spatial structure of students' formative and summative scores for two concepts: Earth-Sun geometries, taught with static images only, and arid landscapes and aeolian processes, taught with Google Earth only. Three significant results were observed: (1) students' ability to accurately observe the 3-D effect was not restricted to the recommended seating angles when using static images, (2) no spatial patterns of improved learning were observed when using static images only; and (3) a significant difference in learning was observed based on seating angles when using Google Earth. Although this study did not compare learning outcomes against a control group, as would be done in a tightly controlled experimental setting, our findings imply that seating angle should be considered in the design of a new classroom equipped with a stereoscopic display or when choosing an existing classroom to retrofit with this technology, particularly, if interactive, globe imagery, such as Google Earth, is used as a primary teaching tool.