What
will attract visitors?
The front
end of the exhibit (the web interface)
has interactive "wow" factors. This includes panoramas
of today's landscape (that users can manipulate) and
these landscapes merge into past landscape art reconstructions
of the same areas. Participants will be able to experience
a virtual tour with interactivity that allows them to "pick
up" objects and enter virtual worlds not found
elsewhere. There are many images of fossils including
bones, footprints, and teeth as well as stories about
paleontologists and park rangers who have made astounding
discoveries in the park. The web site will be promoted
to teachers, educators, and to the public through the
park.
What
will engage them in the exhibit
or display?
This exhibit presents a mystery
and then helps visitors solve
it. The mystery? What animal
made these tracks, had these
teeth, had feet like these,
etc.? Interactive questions
stimulate curiosity about the
objects of the exhibit.
What
will enliven prior knowledge
or experiences relevant to
the exhibit or display?
Visitors
will be encouraged to investigate
the past by comparing clues
to past life to what they know
about the present. The web page
will show current landscapes
and allow visitors to compare
them to past sites. It will
connect current animals to
past animals of similar structure
to make conclusions about
their behavioróeating,
walking, running, etc.
How will
we present new information?
New information will be presented
through images and text, and
through visual objects that
visitors can manipulate online.
Will
visitors have an opportunity
to apply their new feelings
or understanding? To write,
to draw, etc.?
Visitors can write to park rangers
and paleontologists to clarify
questions. A weblog or bulletin
board will also let them record
impressions to the park as well
as responses to the site.
What will prompt visitors to think or feel and/or discuss?
The great difference between today's Anza-Borrego and
that of the past will create discussion and wonder among
visitors. In addition, it will cause them to think and
discuss, how could this have been? What conditions created
the world we see in this window to the past?
What
physical interaction might
stimulate thought and/or discussion?
Visitors can manipulate objects,
answer questions and pull up
information from several information
sources on the site. In addition,
answering questions and solving
the mystery of what animal could have made these footprints,
have a tooth like this, a jaw, etc. will stimulate thinking.
How will
we facilitate further exploration?
We will connect them to the
exhibits and resources at the
park, as well as let them know
of upcoming field trips and
events. In addition we will
encourage classes to request
video conferences with park
rangers and paleontologists.
