Friday, March 2, 2012

Anatomy and Art at your fingertips, Apps# 10 and 11: Google Body Browser and Art Project

Google Body Browser: http://www.zygotebody.com/
Google Art Project: http://www.googleartproject.com/

(Both of these applications are still in lab stages; however, it appears that it will stay around longer.)

Google Body Browser:



 Synopsis: First of all, you have to have Chrome installed to use this application. And, with the recent revelations about Google's privacy settings, it's further incentive to use Chrome (you can browse incognito with Chrome). This great tool gives viewers 3D views of the human body. And, viewers can view the body (male or female) as the naked eyes sees the body or with one or all of the following: muscles, veins, heart, brain, and several others. Using the indicators in the bottom of the green toolbar, viewers can select the individual (oval with one dash) view or multiple (oval with multiple dashes) views. Note: the oval is called the slider. It can be selected to lock it in either the individual view mode or the multiple view mode OR it can slide. When a viewer slides the bar up and down (when the individual--one dash--slider is selected), more/less features become visible. The slider can be moved left and right as well when the multiple view--multiple dashes--is select. When the slider is moved to the right, the view is activated. When it is in the left position, that view is hidden. Then, in the green toolbar, users can select a male or female body and the various views (from one view to multiple views). In the top right, viewers can select a specific body part to examine (ex: tibia). Using the mouse or the arrows (on screen), viewers can move the body/organ/bone 360 degrees. Using the plus and minus signs and the scrolling bar on the mouse, users can zoom in and zoom out. When different body parts are clicked on, their name appears along with a pin/thumb tack and an 'x.' If you click on the pin/thumb tack, it will keep the part selected while you search for other features. If you click on the background or the 'x,' it will deselect it.

Tips from Google:

Quick guide ('?' to toggle) 

Navigation

  • Click+drag with the mouse to rotate, scroll to zoom.



  • Or use the buttons in the upper left. The Home button resets the view.



  • Or use the arrow keys and Page Up / Page Down. The Home key resets the view. 

    Slider



  • Use the opacity slider on the left to reveal layers.



  • Click on the toggle below the slider to control layers individually. 

    Selection



  • Use the searchbox at the upper right to search, or click on entities to select them.



  • Click on the background or on a label to undo selection.



  • Ctrl+click on entities or labels to hide entities. (Cmd+click on mac.)



  • Shift+click on entities or labels (or click on the 'pin' icon in a label) to pin an entity. This will keep it selected while you select more.



  • Some entities can be expanded by clicking on the 'plus' on a label. 

    Models



  • Use the model button at the top of the slider to switch models (if others available).




  • Integration: Now, everyone can have 3D interaction with the human anatomy. Students can work one-on-one with the different body part and enable different views. Students can view how the bones connect and interact. This is very useful for visual learners and those needing a hands-on environment. With the use of projectors and interactive white boards in the classroom, teachers can project the site to an entire class and allow students to come up and interact with the human body in a way that was never before available. Unlike the molds that have filled classrooms in the past, these give students and teachers the ability to view multiple shots at ones and for no cost and no additional equipment. With screencasting tools, a teacher can even record the process as he or she goes through the human body. That cast can be uploaded onto a class Website.

    Google Art Project: According to Google, "Explore museums from around the world, discover and view hundreds of artworks at incredible zoom levels, and even create and share your own collection of masterpieces."



    Synopsis: This lab project combines the technologies of street view, city tours, and Picasa and blends them into one great project. Now, students and teachers can take virtual field trips to nearly any museum in the world and walk through it (via street view) as if they are actually there. They can look at the paintings as they sit in the actual museums and gather information about each. When you first get to the Website, you have the option to "View Artwork" or "Explore the museum." If you select "View Artwork," you will just see the artwork and the write-ups, but if you choose "Explore the museum," you can walk through it and interact with the art pieces. For instance, you can go to the Palace of Versailles. When you select to explore the museum, you will find the similar viewing options as you do in street view. You can also click on the link to navigate the floor plan (as you would with a map at the museum). You can also use the search bar to type in the specific exhibit you want to see at the museum and it will navigate you to the room and you can view it in street view. When you click on navigate, you can view the specific information on each room. It goes through the history. It also gives the write-ups about each piece of art that you would find at the museum itself. Even better, when you are in the navigation page, you can choose to share the page. So, that page can be sent out to students or teachers. Here is a brief video on its features:



    Integration: This lab project is not just for the art classroom. History, English, Science, etc. all have connections to the museums and art within the museums. It's cultural literacy at its finest. And, now, students and teachers can go to the exhibits at no cost and tour it as if they are there. Plus, pages can be shared and embedded within Websites so students can do Webquests at the specific museums. The possibilities continue to grow. Check it out!!

     

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