mkent@dewey.soe.berkeley.edu (Marty Kent) (06/26/89)
We're involved in the development of a geometric optics simulation
microworld to be used as part of high school physics classes. The
software is a graphical-interface, direct-manipulation style system
which simulates an optical bench setup (featuring such elements as
lenses, mirrors, screens, etc.) The main point is for the user to be able
to trace the paths of light rays and examine phenomena of reflection,
refraction and image formation. We provide the users the ability to go
between "realistic," 3-dimensional views of things and "diagrammatic,"
2-dimensional views.
This system will include a "presentation manager" which will enable
the users to produce annotated "movies" documenting their
experiments. We also anticipate interfacing to a multi-media database
including video recordings of experiments on a physical optical bench,
detailed background information about the various elements and
concepts in use in the system, etc.
We're looking for a skilled programmer to come in and work on the
implementation of the software. Currently we have a kernel written
in Common Lisp and Allegro Object Lisp, running on a Mac II, which is
our development and target machine.
You should be familiar with Common Lisp and at least some object-
oriented extension, such as Object Lisp or CLOS. Implementation
experience in any of the following areas is also desirable:
o geometry or 3-D object modelling systems
o ray-tracing or other optical simulation
o graphical, direct-manipulation interfaces
o multi-media (CD ROM, videotape, text/graphics) presentation
software
o educational or other software intended for use by computer
novices
The project is underway at the Institute for Research on Learning, a
small, non-profit lab in Palo Alto, California. If you're interested,
drop me a line at
MKent@dewey.soe.berkeley.edu OR
{uwvax, decvax, inhp4}!ucbvax!mkent%dewey.soe.berkeley.edu
or send physical mail to
Marty Kent
1914A Haste St.
Berkeley, Ca. 94704