Stereopsis to Support Discovery-Based learning

Stereopsis is an important part of scientific visualization in some areas, such as the geosciences, physics, mathematics, medicine and chemistry. Its use is increasing in many others such as architecture, land management, and homeland security and in workforce training programs. It is important that students studying these subjects be trained in the use of such visualization tools. The use of stereopsis can also benefit non-specialist students by encouraging discovery-based learning and enabling a student to manipulate the data presentation to uncover relationships and to build insight. This paper discusses the technologies used to display stereoscopic 3D images. Affordable hardware solutions are discussed for a variety of viewing techniques: GeoWall, shutter glasses, and anaglyphs. Special software is needed for stereoscopic viewing. Two viewing programs, Stereoviewer and StereoFunctions, are presented with applications.