The end is (almost) in sight for the chalkboard with hand-drawn diagrams of the way the world around us works. Thanks to Flash, a fairly simple to use Adobe product, quality interactive simulations are becoming more readily available on the internet that are well suited to classroom teaching.

Pearson Education and ForgeFX have teamed up to create simulation based learning applications that allow learners to become active participants in the classroom. I checked out some of their free web-based simulations to get an idea of what it’s all about.

Most of the simulations are quite interactive and give the learner an option of various different scenarios that provide different end results which is great for comparison and testing.

Here is an overview of the top 6 simulations:

Design and Test Simulator

This interactive 3D simulation allows students to work on the development of a piece of virtual machinery, capable of launching giant paintballs into the air. Using the Design and Test Methodology, students must create their hurling machine so that it is capable of hitting the multiple targets within the virtual world.

In order to hit all of the targets in the virtual environment, students must design their device so it is capable of launching for distance, height, and strength. Students are able to customize the arm length, spring strength, ball weight, angle of release, and tension in order to hit each target.

Students are given a budget that they must complete the project within, each shot at the target will cost the student part of their budget, so the fewer shots required the better the student does. Launchers must be designed for the assigned task, tested, modified, tested again, and repeated until the student has hit each target.

Topographical Map Simulator

This real-time 3D simulation illustrates how topographic maps are created and used to depict changes in elevation. A topographic map is characterized by large-scale detail and quantitative representation of relief using contour lines. Rendered in real-time 3D, it is easy to understand how topographic maps are created since the simulation shows the same virtual environment in both a 3D mesh and 2D map format.

Students are able to sculpt mountains and valleys in real-time and see the changes to the corresponding topographic map as well as the 3D environment. To represent elevation, relief, and slope on the topographic map the simulation uses contour lines and elevation level indicators, while it simultaneously renders the scene in 3D.

On a topographic map, a contour line connects points of equal elevation. Select the Raise or Lower tool, and then start digging into the 3D terrain. See how the changes you make to the mountain affect the topographic map and 3D terrain.

Seismic Waves Simulator

What happens to the ground during an earthquake? Find out by creating your own earthquake using this interactive 3D simulation. An actual earthquake will always create Primary, Secondary, and Surface waves, using this 3D simulation students can isolate waves to understand the different types of seismic activity.

Select the type of wave, the strength of the waves, the angle, and the zoom levels for the simulation to run. Waves can be played forward and backwards through time, in textured or wire-frame 3D models, all controlled by the user of the simulation.

During an earthquake the exact speed of P and S waves varies depending on the material they are traveling through. The ratio between the speeds of the two waves will remain relatively. P waves generally travel 1.7 times faster than S waves. Using this ratio, scientists can calculate the distance between any point on the earth’s surface and the earthquake’s focus.

3D Plant and Animal Cells Simulator

Cells are the basic unit of structure and function in living things. If you look inside cells, there are even smaller structures called organelles. Each organelle has a different function within a cell. Learn about plant and animal cell organelles in this interactive 3D simulation. View the cells from any angle by clicking and dragging, select a plant structure to learn more about its function.

Students are able to examine cells by dragging and dropping the cell to view it from any angle. Individual structures can be selected to view them in more detail.

4-Stroke Engine Simulator

Most automobiles use four-stroke heat engines. These four-strokes occur repeatedly in each cylinder in the engine. This is a real-time 3D simulation which allows the student to explore how a four stroke engine works and to gain an understanding of the different strokes involved.

The simulation gives students access to a running 4 cylinder engine, in a safe and risk-free environment. Students can use the simulation to learn how a piston works independently, and within a four-stroke engine. The simulation allows students to watch 3D animations of the four-stroke engine from any angle or distance, speed-up and slow-down the engine, as well as pause and show engine labels – all in real-time 3D. A complex mechanical process, like a four-stroke engine, is an easily understood lesson when delivered as an interactive 3D training simulation.

Biomes of the Earth Simulation

This online e-learning application helps students visualize how biomes are climatically and geographically defined as similar climatic conditions on the Earth, such as communities of plants, animals, and soil organisms, and are often referred to as ecosystems.

The simulation lets you take part in an around-the-world scientific expedition researching Earth’s biomes. A biome is a group of land ecosystems with similar climates and organisms. It is mostly the climate—temperature and precipitation—in an area that determines its biome. Interact with the 3D globe to see the worldwide distribution of the biomes on our planet.

Click and drag anywhere on the 3D globe to spin and view it from any direction. Select one of the nine biomes to see where they occur on Earth, or show all locations at once to see where biomes occur in relation to each other. Click on the stars to get photographs and detailed climate information, including average temperature and precipitation levels, for cities located within each biome.

Summary

If you’re charged with educating and training students, you’re aware of the challenges associated with keeping them engaged with educational material. Using highly-realistic 3D simulations, that are web-based, allows you to provide students with immersive content that keep them engaged for longer periods of time. You can see all the simulations here.

Past exam papers are normally a mission to find. TestGrab, a new service launched recently by EvaluNet, offers past exam papers for download from their web site, all based on the grade 12 matric exams for South Africa.

Subjects included are:

• Accounting
• Afrikaans
• Business Studies
• CAT
• Consumer Studies
• Economics
• English
• Geography
• History
• Hospitality Studies
• IT
• Life Science
• Mathematics
• Maths Literacy
• Physical Science
• Tourism

These past papers are based on the 2010 March and November matric exams. The past papers can be accessed from the Free Stuff section of the TestGrab web site.

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