The Future:

1. Advanced Communications & Information Tech Center (ACITC)
2. ACITC University Visualization and Animation Group (UVAG)
3. Scientific Modeling and Visualization Classroom (SMVC)
4. Computing Across the Curriculum ( CAC)

Advanced Communications & Information Technology Center ACITC

Virginia Tech is committed to building an Advanced Communications and Information Technology Center (ACITC) building which is presently in the planning stages. To the right is a picture of a tentative model showing how the ACITC building connects with the current library. One of the ACITC activities is the Library Information Systems with Joanne Eustis as the author. The link between information technology and the library is the bridge spanning the present mall in front of the VT War Memorial.

Preliminary plans include the creation of nine activities that support the development or use of information and communications technologies. The ACITC Building will house nine activities or centers which are listed below along with the respective "ACITC authors".

1. Human Computer Interactions, John Carroll
2. Fiber Optics, Rick Claus
3. Wireless Communications/Mobile and Portable Radio Group, Ted Rappaport,
4. Parallel Computing, Cal Ribbens
5. Computer Visualization and Animation, Ron Kriz and Chema de la Garza
6. Computer Networking, Judy Lilly
7. Multimedia and Learning Resources, John Moore
8. High Technology Classrooms, Susan Brooker-Gross
9. Library Information Systems, Joanne Eustis

• John D. Fulton, Vice-Provost for Academic Affairs, fultonj@vt.edu, 112 Burruss Hall
• University Architect, Robert Livingston, Office of the University Architect, 326 Burruss Hall, Blacksburg, Virginia.

A group of ACITC "authors", Virginia Tech administrators and key faculty planned a trip to NCSA to discuss possible collaborations with NCSA that might benefit our respective programs. As a result of our visit to NCSA we submitted a proposal to NCSA to become a partner with NCSA in our future activities related to supercomputing, computer communications and visualization. Our proposal was accepted and Virginia Tech is now part of the NCSA-SGI Power Grid Alliance. As a result of this alliance NCSA provides training and offers substantial discounts on SGI equipment.

The ACITC University Visualization and Animation Group (UVAG)

In collaboration with NCSA the ACITC University Visualization and Animation Group (UVAG) will house a "CAVE". We plan on using the CAVE not only as a research tool but also as a classroom for key lectures that can benefit from access to these resources. We plan on working closely with the newly formed University Center for Human Computer Interaction (E). These and other activities, shown in the figure to the Left, in a top view showing the flow information from the Parallel Computations Group (A) into the Visualization and Animation Group (B,C). The flow of information can continue into the Multimedia Lab (D) and the Learning Resources Lab (F) and the Learning Resources Classroom (G). Together, from this experience, we will develop appropriate and useful interfaces that will benefit the variety of educational and research programs both on and off campus. A vision statement explains how CAVE(tm) technology will be used to build a bridge between research and education programs at Virginia Tech: Artists will work with 3D objects just like Biochemists ,who work with complex 3D chemical structures, Fluid Dynamists, who work with 3D volumes, and Architects, who walk through 3D structures. Such a center will serve all Colleges and Departments on campus. A recent addition to the Visualization Group is the Animation Group. A proposal has been submitted to combine the Visualization and Animation Groups into one.

Presently we are in the process of creating a Universtiy Cost Center that can be used by off-campus companies and on-campus researchers and faculty to recover CAVE operating costs. The Research Division is currently creating advisory committees for CAVE activities and a Business Plan is being created with staff from the College of Business that will provide quidelines for both off- and on-campus CAVE projects. The Research Division has started an information page related to Areas of Expertise: Virtual Reality

University Visualization Core Team Members:

• Ron Kriz, Author, Engr. Sci. and Mechanics and Matl. Sci. and Engr.
• Chema de la Garza, Civil Engr.
• Chris Beattie, Math
• Cal Ribbens, Computer Science (also ACITC Author of Parallel Computing)

• Peter Athanas, Electrical Engineering
• Jan Helge Bohn, Mechanical Engineering
• Yvan Beliveau, Dept. of Building and Construction, Architecture
• David Bevan, Biochemistry
• Lay Nam Chang, Physics
• Bob Fields, Arts and Art History
• Richard Gandour, Chemistry
• Charles Knight, Mechanical Engineering
• Cliff Shaffer, Computer Science
• Bob West, Mechanical Engineering
• Joan McLain-Kark, Interior Design

Proposals related to ACITC and the Computer Visualization and Animation Group:

• DARPA: Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (White Paper) not funded.
• NCSA SGI Power Grid Alliance (proposal) accepted.
• NSF: Academic Research Infrastructure (White Paper) (Final Proposal) funded.
  
• NCSA PACI Proposal, pending. Virginia Tech is a partner with NCSA in the renewal as an NSF supercomputing center.

This university classroom would directly meet the needs of courses that depend heavily on sophisticated, hands-on, interactive graphics, scientific visualization, and virtual reality hardware and software to develop and study models of physical phenomena. While the facility could conceivably function in an "open" laboratory, together with the existing Laboratory for Scientific Visual Analysis, mode during off-hours, thereby benefiting other courses and research, the primary purpose of the classroom is to provide a sophisticated instructional environment for regularly scheduled courses. We have submitted an Education Grant Proposal to Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation (SUN) and Visual Numerics Incorporated (VNI) for additional hardware and software. Additional funding was provide to develop a distributed visual computing environment with web based educational tools by combining Sun's Java and VNI's PV-Wave. A recent class project, " Educational Atomic Models Using PV-Wave & Java (a Web Project)" in the Scientific Visual Data Analysis and Multimedia Class (ESM5984) by Arturo Falck, who explored the use of Scientific Applications on the Internet: PV-Wave and Java.

To encourage the development of other Visual Data Analysis (VDA) tool-kits at Virginia Tech, VNI has extended a generous offer to all students, faculty and staff interested in access to VNI's software. If you are interested in this offer and want to request IMSL or PV-Wave software link to this software request form.

In the planning document we discuss the rationale for such a classroom, outline a proposed system of governance, and estimate the resources needed to establish and maintain the facility. A final section of this planning document includes examples of courses which could be taught in the proposed classroom; these examples were contributed by faculty members from 8 different departments who have expressed interest in this proposal. Tim Tomlin our system administrator is working with Ed Conzel of Sun on a plan for seting-up the classroom workstations.

Computing Across the Curriculum (CAC)

Co-chairman: F. William (Bill) Ravlin and Ronald (Ron) D. Kriz

Under the mandate of the University Computing and Communications Resources Committee this web page has been created to explore the needs, requirements and interest of a program that would define and make recommendations to the "University Computing Community" on how to implement and create a program that would foster the use of computing across the curriculum. Readers of this document are encouraged to respond with their thoughts and comments by sending email via hypertext links.

Below we have made a partial list of responses from individuals already involved in defining what will constitute the formation of a Computing Across the Curriculum.

1. Meeting with Leonard Ferrari (Dept. Head EE) and Jack Carroll (Dept. Head of CS): Discussion on Creating a undergraduate minor in computing graphics that would serve both the College of Arts and Science and the College of Engineering.
2. Established dialogue with John (Jan) Lee, undergraduate curriculum of CS, has committed to working with others to create workshops.
3. Meeting between Bill Ravlin and Ron Kriz on what to do next: Virtual Curriculum
4. REPORT TO: The University Computing and Communication Resources Committee, February 20, 1996.
5. Response from Mark Sanders, February 21, 1996, with a summary of software/hardware used in the Communication Technology Lab.
6. Response form Leonard Ferrari, private communication.
7. Last minute dialogue between Ed Fox, Jan Lee and Ron Kriz.

Recommendations:

1. Graphics Minor that can be used by all Departments across campus.
2. An undergraduate minor in multimedia.
3. VPI&SU quidance to entering high schools: computer literacy prior to attending Virginia Tech / a summer training program.
4. Summer CAC workshops to train faculty involved in computing intensive courses.
5. Organize workshops where faculty share modules teaching computing intensive courses.
6. Consulting service to help faculty working on computing develop courseware.

Implementation:

1. Submit a proposal to the University Curriculum Committee to consider a Graphics Minor.
2. University UNIX based classroom: Scientific Modeling and Visualization Classroom available Fall 1996, 334 McBryde.

Your Comments:

Please let us know if you wish to participate or just send us your thought and comments.

Questions, thoughts or comments, please contact ravlin@vt.edu or kriz@wave.esm.vt.edu

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