Teaching visual aspects in an introductory computer graphics course

Abstract

Computer science students contemplating a career in graphics need to develop a visual sense, but traditional course topics do not meet this need. Visual analysis is a teaching technique developed for computer science instructors that helps impart this ability. Requiring a minimal amount of classroom time, visual analysis imparts a broad knowledge of visual effects not covered in a traditional introductory course. Through the use of a few visual cues, students learn to visually identify surface algorithms, shaders and lighting techniques. An interactive software package called TERA (Tool for Exploring Rendering Algorithms) provides nearly a million image combinations that students can use to practice their visual identification skills. As a result, students gain a broader knowledge of graphics and become better program developers.