A few years ago, I came across "Phun", a free, hands-on application designed for use in science education. I was impressed, and had the chance to use it with a few students. Phun was Emil Ernerfeldt's MSc Computer Science project, created at the VR lab at Umeå Universityin Sweden, under the supervision of Kenneth Bodin.
Phun is now known as Algodoo, and is part of the family of applications offered by Algoryx, a company that develops multi-physics and 3D simulation software. As you can see from the recent video below, it has improved over the years. The most recent news is that the application was transformed for use on the SMART Board 800 series, and supports multi-touch and multi-user interaction.
One of the reasons that I like Algodoo is that it supports social interaction during learning activities, something that can enhance deeper learning among students. It allows students to move and work in a "hands-on" fashion. In schools that have invested stimulus money on technology and now have limited funds for upgrading traditional science equipment, applications such as Algodoo will most likely provide a good "bang for the buck".
Algodoo: Science education for a new generation
"Algodoo is a totally unique program. A program that gives you the opportunity to play with physics - using your own hands. Apply a constructionists learning paradigm, learning by doing. Use simple drawing tools to design, construct and explore with. Sounds like an interesting idea? Watch this video and learn how!" -Algoryx
Algodoo demonstration on a SMART Board 800 multi-touch/multiuser interactive whiteboards:
RELATED
Alogryx Simulation integrates Algodoo application with the SMART Board 800 series Smart Technologies
Algodoo website
Algoryx Multiphsyics and 3D Simulation website
Information about Phun, an earlier version of Algodoo:
Video of original version: Phun - 2D physics sandbox:
Interactive Physics: Algodoo, the educational version of Phun, optimized for the Classmate PC (Interactive Multimedia Technology, 1/16/09)
Engaged Learning and Social Physics: Phun, an Interactive 2D Physics Sandbox
Interactive Multimedia Technology, 6/08/08
Phun is now known as Algodoo, and is part of the family of applications offered by Algoryx, a company that develops multi-physics and 3D simulation software. As you can see from the recent video below, it has improved over the years. The most recent news is that the application was transformed for use on the SMART Board 800 series, and supports multi-touch and multi-user interaction.
One of the reasons that I like Algodoo is that it supports social interaction during learning activities, something that can enhance deeper learning among students. It allows students to move and work in a "hands-on" fashion. In schools that have invested stimulus money on technology and now have limited funds for upgrading traditional science equipment, applications such as Algodoo will most likely provide a good "bang for the buck".
Algodoo: Science education for a new generation
"Algodoo is a totally unique program. A program that gives you the opportunity to play with physics - using your own hands. Apply a constructionists learning paradigm, learning by doing. Use simple drawing tools to design, construct and explore with. Sounds like an interesting idea? Watch this video and learn how!" -Algoryx
Algodoo demonstration on a SMART Board 800 multi-touch/multiuser interactive whiteboards:
RELATED
Alogryx Simulation integrates Algodoo application with the SMART Board 800 series Smart Technologies
Algodoo website
Algoryx Multiphsyics and 3D Simulation website
Information about Phun, an earlier version of Algodoo:
You can download the music used in the videos and the Phun application from the following URL: http://www.phunland.com/download/Phun_theme.mp3
Video of original version: Phun - 2D physics sandbox:
Interactive Physics: Algodoo, the educational version of Phun, optimized for the Classmate PC (Interactive Multimedia Technology, 1/16/09)
Engaged Learning and Social Physics: Phun, an Interactive 2D Physics Sandbox
Interactive Multimedia Technology, 6/08/08
