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Peer-reviewed article

The DeepTree Exhibit: Visualizing the Tree of Life to Facilitate Informal Learning

October 14, 2012 | Media and Technology, Exhibitions
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.

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  • REVISE logo
    Author
    Harvard University
  • REVISE logo
    Author
    Northwestern University
  • Brenda Caldwell Phillips
    Author
    Harvard University
  •   Judy Diamond
    Author
    University of Nebraska State Museum
  • REVISE logo
    Author
    University of Michigan
  • 2013 08 19 chia
    Author
    Harvard University
  • Citation

    ISSN : 1077-2626
    Publication Name: IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics (TVCG)
    Volume: 18
    Number: 12
    Page Number: 2789
    Resource Type: Research Products
    Discipline: Ecology, forestry, and agriculture | Life science
    Audience: Elementary School Children (6-10) | Middle School Children (11-13) | Youth/Teen (up to 17) | Adults | Families | General Public | Museum/ISE Professionals | Scientists | Evaluators
    Environment Type: Media and Technology | Games, Simulations, and Interactives | Exhibitions | Museum and Science Center Exhibits

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