New Technologies in Teaching Grant
Underwater Imaging

Steve Clauesch

Nature of the Request

The ability to capture and transmit images for research and instruction purposes has taken a major leap forward with the refinement of digital technology in recent years. This technology is becoming one of the standard tools of the scientific diver whether as a student, teacher or researcher. The ability to train students early-on in this technology will enhance their ability to collect data for the following courses: Coastal Ecology Field Methods (Biol 160L/260L), Kelp Forest Ecology (Biol 161/161L), Marine Ecology Field Quarter (Biol 162; a 19 unit immersion course), and Ichthyology (Biol 137/137L). This technology will also be beneficial to the UCSC Scientific Diving Program, which assists students with their senior theses (Biol 195), undergraduate independent studies (Biol 193), and graduate research projects. Moreover, it will contribute to the Scientific Diving course (was Ocean Science 71, and now moving to Biology), which involves training and certification required for all students and faculty who conduct scuba diving under the auspices of the University. The funds will be used to purchase the following equipment: 1) two Digital-8 video cameras, 2) two underwater video housing systems with lights, 3) one Nikonos underwater 35mm still-camera systems with strobe unit, 4) two 3-megapixel digital still cameras, 5) two digital still camera underwater housings with strobe units, 6) one 35mm slide scanner, and 7) one iMac DV-SE computer for editing and compiling both still and video images. Total funding requested is $13,035.00 (plus tax and shipping).

Background and Rationale

Underwater imaging courses have been offered through OPERS for the last 5 years. Underwater Photography (PHYE 005U-01F) is offered during Winter quarter and Underwater Videography (PHYE 005U-01G) is offered during Spring quarter. The limiting factor in teaching these courses has always been equipment. For the Underwater Photography course we have had to borrow equipment from the various research labs on campus. However, this source is not always reliable since the equipment may be in use in the field. For the Underwater Videography course we use video equipment that was donated to our program 10 years ago and which is now outdated and produces poor quality images. This video equipment, while still functional, is not reliable and replacement parts are no longer available. In both of our underwater imaging classes we cover the history, mechanics and techniques of the media, but most of the time the practical application of the learning is limited due to equipment constraints. While we talk about the new digital media we do not have any of the equipment, video or still, to demonstrate or to use. Many of the students who have completed our courses have gone on to apply what they have learned to their classes in marine related disciplines as well as to their senior theses. We have also integrated these courses into several marine ecology classes to enable the students to utilize these imaging techniques during their course of study. For example, the Kelp Forest Ecology (Biol 160/260) has one underwater video system and a 35mm Nikonos still system. As guest lectures, OPERS personnel teach about the capabilities and proper use and care of these systems, but there is an insufficient number of units to do this very effectively. We also receive requests from students to offer these classes on a quarterly basis and to include the digital technology.

We have chosen the requested equipment with the following rationales: 1) Digital-8 format over mini DV format — Digital-8 offers the same quality as mini DV at half the price in terms of video cameras and video tapes. This format is also backward compatible with the Hi-8mm analog format that we and others at the University currently use. We have selected a “generic” underwater video housing, which is compatible with most all Sony video cameras, while providing us with a reliable, easy to use system. 2) Nikonos camera system — the Nikonos system is the standard of the world in terms of basic underwater 35mm photography, both in recreational and scientific diving. Slide film is the preferred medium for capturing underwater images because of its true color reproduction. The ability to digitize these images via the slide scanner allows students to share their images on flora and fauna identification web sites and to use them in their theses or project reports. 3) Digital still camera — we sought out an underwater housing that provided reliability and complete use of the functionality of a 3-megapixel digital still camera. A 3-megapixel camera rivals the resolution of slide film while allowing instant viewing of each captured image. If the image is not satisfactory, you can delete it, make adjustments and retake it. Because of the ability to edit on the fly, digital cameras will become the standard of underwater imaging in the near future. 4) iMac DV-SE — this version of the popular iMac comes ready, out of the box, to edit both still and video images. The value of digital images (still or video) becomes apparent when immediately after a dive, images can be viewed, transmitted and shared with an entire class. 5) Both the Nikonos and the underwater video systems we propose to purchase are identical to the few systems used in other courses, and therefore are cross-compatible with respect to training and maintenance. In fact, if funded, our intentions are to develop a maintenance program that would include existing systems purchased through previous Instructional Improvement Grants (e.g., Kelp Forest Ecology).

Impact on Teaching and Learning

The ability to immediately display an image after an intense learning experience like a scuba dive will reinforce the goal of the experience, whether it be mastering imagining skills, properly identifying organisms, or permanently enumerating a speciesÕ abundance and habitat. Through the OPERS courses students will learn and develop their skills in capturing, editing and transmitting digital images. Students will then be able to concentrate on the academic sections of their field courses since they will have already mastered the technical imaging skills.

We currently are able to train only 16 students per year in the use of analog underwater imaging techniques. The equipment purchased with this grant would allow OPERS to provide an Underwater Photography and an Underwater Videography class to students each quarter, increasing the number of students trained by threefold. Instruction in the use of digital imaging techniques would be emphasized in all of these courses. The Underwater Photography course would include training in the use of the standard underwater imaging tool of today (the Nikonos underwater camera system) and what is fast becoming the future in underwater imaging (a digital camera in an underwater housing). Techniques to digitize analog images, using the slide scanner, and to edit and catalog digital images, using the iMac would also be covered. The Underwater Videography course would include training in the use of a digital video camera enclosed in an underwater housing as well as editing techniques using the iMac with iMovie. At the completion of these courses, students would have the knowledge necessary to incorporate underwater imaging into their course work and research while here at the university. Students who have completed these courses would be able to checkout this equipment for work on underwater projects or to further develop their imaging techniques. Importantly, the training provided to students through these courses will also increase the longevity of such equipment previously purchased for other courses.

Plan for Continued Funding

The only recurring cost will be for the annual maintenance of the Nikonos camera and the flood insurance for all cameras. There is a local company that will provide the annual maintenance at a reduced cost in support of our program. All of the equipment will be housed at OPERS and will be maintained by the OPERS Scuba staff. The flood insurance costs ($250 per year) and maintenance costs ($100 per year) will be addressed by charging students a minimal fee for use of the equipment. If the introduction of this new equipment increases interest to the level where we need more equipment we will approach manufacturers to support our program by providing/replacing equipment as needed. As can be seen in the Budget Detail we already have support from one local vendor who is providing some of the equipment below retail cost in support of expanding our current training program.

BUDGET DETAIL

This entry was posted on February 26, 2010 at 1:14 am. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Posted in Featured by admin No Comments Yet