Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Auburn University and the Poultry Products Safety and Quality Peak of Excellence Program in the Poultry Science Department. Project Objective: Develop a virtual female reproductive system of a chicken. The student will be able to see the oviduct in the context of the larger anatomy, explore the oviduct and its processes both internally and externally, and watch, via time lapse and animation, the formation of an egg. A variety of technologies are to be used to create an anatomically-correct, female reproductive tract that can be dissected and examined. Scientists and scholars will be concerned about the design of the virtual chicken from a teaching point of view, and technical professionals will use technical tools to create the virtual chicken for end-user ease and accuracy. Both groups will collaborate to provide a system for training that is rich in content and flexible in user interaction. A CD/DVD will be the delivery method for this new teaching tool.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
Auburn University and the Poultry Products Safety and Quality Peak of Excellence Program in the Poultry Science Department. Project Objective: Develop a virtual female reproductive system of a chicken. The student will be able to see the oviduct in the context of the larger anatomy, explore the oviduct and its processes both internally and externally, and watch, via time lapse and animation, the formation of an egg. A variety of technologies are to be used to create an anatomically-correct, female reproductive tract that can be dissected and examined. Scientists and scholars will be concerned about the design of the virtual chicken from a teaching point of view, and technical professionals will use technical tools to create the virtual chicken for end-user ease and accuracy. Both groups will collaborate to provide a system for training that is rich in content and flexible in user interaction. A CD/DVD will be the delivery method for this new teaching tool.
Self-contained teaching experiences will include a pre-test, post-test, content equivalent to fifty minutes of lecture, an activity involving use of the virtual chicken, and tools for evaluation and assessment. A varied group of educators, students and individuals will be introduced to a new curriculum tool: a computer based 3-D visualization of the chicken anatomy.
Project Methods
The project will be produced with and employ a variety of technologies to create an anatomically-correct female reproductive tract that can be dissected and examined. Three dimensional scans, wire frame constructions and electronic animations are to be used. Effectively combined, these technologies will produce a set of interactive materials which will be delivered by CD/DVD. The creation and animation of three dimensional figures is expensive and time consuming, but it is essentially simple. Where necessary, hard objects, like an egg, will be three dimensionally scanned by lasers to create an exact rendering; soft objects, like muscles and organs, must be hand-rendered with Computer Assisted Design (CAD) software, as can most physiological systems. Processes, movements and flows will require frame by frame animation. Each of these renderings and animations will be checked by scientists and scholars for accuracy. This project will be focusing on the female reproductive
tract of a virtual chicken, though it is anticipated that this project will grow over time as different elements and features are added. With this long term plan already envisioned, the overall design and analysis of a virtual chicken is to be considered at the beginning of this project. Monthly meetings attended by technical professionals, scientists and scholars, will be scheduled to review and critique design and implementation of the computer graphics and animations. Accuracy of the final product and usability for the classroom and other target audiences will be the role of the scientists and scholars. Technical professionals will be involved to create the virtual chicken for end-user ease and error-free usage. Both groups will collaborate to provide a system for training that is rich in content and flexible in user interaction. Target audiences are currently identified as two public high schools, two extension training locations and a minimum of three universities (Auburn
University plus two universities outside the state of Alabama). Each user of the project materials will assess the effectiveness of the developed materials for the specific target audience. Each self-contained teaching experience will include a pre-test, post-test, content equivalent to fifty minutes of lecture, an activity involving use of the virtual chicken, and tools for evaluation and assessment. Pre-quiz scores will be compared to post-test grades. Classes and sessions will be audited when the virtual chicken is used. Questions, comments, reactions and usage will be documented and included in the final report. Results from all assessments will be analyzed and modifications will be made to the project as deemed necessary from the evaluations.