EDUSIM

[|EDUSIM]

EDUSIM is an amazing tool for classrooms that is sure to evoke a large amount of enthusiasm for learning among all students! EDUSIM is a "3D multi-user virtual world platform and authoring toolkit for classroom interactive whiteboards". It is a version that was slimmed down from the [|Open Cobalt Metaverse Project.]Edusim can also be used on student laptops and desktop computers. This awesome tool is extendable allowing multiple classrooms to connect their interactive whiteboards for collaborative learning session. WOW!

Resources


 * [|5 ways to use Cobalt EDUSIM on your interactive whiteboard]
 * [|Quick Start Tutorials]
 * [|Cobalt EDUSIM updates on Twitter]
 * [|K-12 Cobalt Classrooms]
 * [|Improvement Survey]
 * [|EDUSIM Ning Community]
 * Eduism on Wikipedia
 * [|Overview of Eduism by MIT Press Journal]
 * A case study on engaging students in science using virtual learning environments
 * []

SWOT Analysis

Strengths


 * Requires a classroom with a whiteboard
 * FREE
 * Can be used on student laptops and desktop computers
 * Allows full classroom participation
 * Interactive
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Dynamic
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Exciting
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Allows students to explore various environments from the classroom.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Allows visual learners to have views of 3D topics
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Direct immersion- students directly manipulate the objects with a simple touch
 * Works on Smartboard, Activeboard, Interwriter, Polyvision, Mimio, eBeam, and even the Wiimote Whiteboard.
 * May encourage active involvement in learning
 * Studies show that it can increase engage of low achievers in learning science ( Ang and Wang, 2006).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Weaknesses


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Requires teacher understanding of how to use program
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Requires a projector
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Must be downloaded
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">May take up a lot of classroom time

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Opportunities
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Virtual field trips
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Allows multiple classroom learning sessions.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Threats
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Visibility – I wonder if students will find it difficult to view, or if eye sight would be strained from using this technology in the classroom. In order for students to be able to view the 3-D projection, the lights must be turned off. Thus, students are viewing a brightly colored whiteboard in a dark classroom (similar to a movie theatre).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Ideas for the classroom


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Practice counting
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Practice sorting/matching
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Practice identifying shapes and colors
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Older students can learn geography
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Discover habitats
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Attend virtual field trips to the solar system
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Attend virtual field trips to famous landmarks
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Models of organs for an anatomy lesson
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Model day and night or the path of the Moon
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Storytelling

Examples of Use in the Classroom Anatomy World Day/Night and Earth/Moon video Butterfly lesson