FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2001

For further information:
Sheila Hoffmeyer/Ann Kilhoffer-Reichert
+1.312.644.6610 x5811
+1.312.245.1083 fax
media-s2001@siggraph.org


Announcing the SIGGRAPH 2001 Educators Program....Focus on Physical and Virtual Computer-Supportive Collaborative-Learning Environments

(Chicago, IL) - ACM SIGGRAPH today announced the content of the Educators Program for SIGGRAPH 2001, the 28th International Conference on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques, being held 12-17 August, 2001 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in California. This year's content emphasizes innovative and creative uses of Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques for learning that focus on physical and virtual computer-supportive collaborative-learning environments.

"The traditional Native American saying, 'Tell me and I may forget. Show me and I may not remember. Involve me and I will understand and learn.' applies to this year's Educators Program. Our presentations emphasize collaboration, cooperation, and engaging the learner," said Colleen Case, of Schoolcraft College, SIGGRAPH 2001 Educators Program Chair. "In addition, this year's program responds to the need to engineer new physical and virtual learning spaces that use computer graphics for enhancing and expanding visual communications."

For the first time, the SIGGRAPH 2001 Educators Program offers Open Forums where attendees can meet with presenters, exchange ideas, and discuss in depth the topics introduced during presentations. Forum topics include: The Promise of the Web for Learning, The Emerging Computer Graphics Discipline, Games and Education, Explorations in Visual Communications and Meaning, Studio Views on Demo Tapes, and The Teaching of Computer Graphics in a Computer Science Curriculum. In addition to Open Forums, the SIGGRAPH 2001 Educators Program includes 22 panels, papers, workshops, and demonstrations.

Program highlights include:

Adventures in Modeling: Building Systems With StarLogo
Vanessa Colella , Eric Klopfer, Mitchel Resnick, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
In the Adventures in Modeling project, learners use StarLogo to design, create, and analyze their own models of complex, dynamic systems. Off-screen activities provide another way to connect abstract scientific systems to personal experience.

Internet Studios: Teaching Architectural Design Online in the United States and Latin America
Alfredo Andia, Florida International University
A summary of the pedagogical use of high-end computer graphics and low- and high-bandwidth Internet technology for international architectural education collaboration among seven universities in the Americas.

Speeder Reader: An Experiment in the Future of Reading
Maribeth Back, Jonathan Cohen, Rich Gold, Matt Gorbet, Steve Harrison, Scott Minneman, Xerox PARC
Speeder Reader is a speed-reading protocol (RSVP) combined with a speed-racing videogame interface for interactive reading. Designed as part of XFR: Experiments in the Future of Reading, Speeder Reader was displayed at the Tech Museum of Innovation.

21st Century Literacy: Media and Meaning
Anthony Chapman, Thirteen/WNET New York, Sarah Feldman, Faith Rogow, Insighters Educational Consulting Inc. and Oxygen Media, Elana Rosen, JustThink Inc.
What does literacy in the 21st century look like? What should it look like? In today's media-pervasive society, both makers and consumers of media should examine how we make, and make use of, online and video content.

Internet2 Applications and Infrastructure
Ted Hanss, Internet2
An overview of the effort by more than 180 universities to establish the next-generation Internet to support advanced applications in research, teaching, and learning environments.

Life Drawing and 3D Figure Modeling with Maya
Greg Garvey, Yale University
A participatory hands-on workshop based on human-figure-modeling sessions at the Yale University Digital Media Center for the Arts.

Webtanks: Tools for Learning by Design
Zann Gill, NASA Ames Research Center
Webtanks are collaborative Web environments that can be used as project frameworks and knowledge-management repositories to support students as designers and inventors.

Hands-On Classical Animation Workshop
Clifford Cohen, AnimAction Inc.
The language of animation is universal. It transcends cultural barriers and bridges the great divide between art and technology. This hands-on experiential workshop in classical animation offers a solid foundation in the art of animation that can be translated into digital productions.

Teaching Computer Animation for Results!
Craig Caldwell, University of Arizona, Kevin Geiger, California Institute of the Arts, Jim McCampbell, Ringling School of Art & Design
Learning (or teaching) computer animation depends on knowing what to emphasize and what to put on the back burner. This session shares solid approaches at three levels (foundation, undergraduate, and graduate) for teaching animation along with examples of successful student results.

Studio Views on Demo Tapes
Glenn Campbell, Area 51, Art Durinski, Otis College of Art and Design, Tom Lesser, Rhythm & Hues, Doug Nichols, Disney Feature Animation and Brad Renecke, Cinesite Visual Effects
Attendees and panelists discuss how to prepare for professional roles in digital production studios.

If you would like more information on the SIGGRAPH 2001 Educators Program and abstracts for all sessions, see www.siggraph.org/s2001. Or contact Ann Kilhoffer-Reichert, SIGGRAPH 2001 Marketing and Media, phone +1.858.581.3330, email: ann_reichert@siggraph.org.

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SIGGRAPH 2001 will bring over 40,000 computer graphics and interactive technology professionals from six continents to Los Angeles for the week-long conference. A comprehensive technical program and special events focusing on research, art, animation, and interactive technologies are planned. SIGGRAPH 2001 includes a three-day exhibition of products and services for the computer graphics and interactive marketplace from 14-16 August 2001. ACM SIGGRAPH, the leading professional society for computer graphics and interactive techniques, sponsors SIGGRAPH 2001. Information on ACM SIGGRAPH membership and other conferences and activities can be found at www.siggraph.org.