Bringing 3D Environments to your Promethean Board

[Richwhite]

We have been experimenting with bring a 3D experience to the smartboard. If you are interested here is our prof of concept video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etBpUcNGVlU

+wave+

Rich

[LisaD]

Well, that was strange.

I don't get the educational purpose of this.

It also was demonstrated on an Activboard, not a Smartboard (while the title of the video said Smartboard.)

I also noticed that when Activpen was moved around on the Activboard WITHOUT clicking on the board, the rabbit's head would move. So it would then support rollovers?

Would there be any advantage to using an Activboard, then vs a Smartboard? My understanding is that the Smartboard does not have true rollover functionality-- meaning you have to click somewhere, you cannot move the cursor without clicking.

Lisa

[Richwhite]

We certainly don't expect everyone to understand the educational purpose of this initially.... its certainly a more futuristic prof of concept of how this technology could be used with a virtual 3D environment and is aimed really more at the very early adopters at this point.... the prototype was demonstrated on a Activboard but we do have a teacher using the prototype on a Smartboard



Rich
---
"When you innovate, you've got to be prepared for everyone telling you you're nuts." : Larry Ellison

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[markrobinson]

Thanks Rich for posting this...

If you can build up 'virtual narratives' and model social situations I can see many applications for this... I 'love' the way you can drag images and assets into the 3D space..that is great.. Can it handle video files too?

You could ask the kids to do a photography project around the school - e.g. 'Images of the Fall' and then make a virtual gallery in seconds to show them...

Also is a copy of the software available for Promethean Planet teachers to try? I say that because I want a play!


BTW: There are some experiments to make activboards work in Second Life too!

http://metalab.blogspot.com/

I was at a Microsoft conference today - and the statistics around the nature and amount of student digital interaction outside school is amazing. Millions of teens inhabit and interact in massive multiuser environments and games like THE SIMS. Bridging that gap is a perfect way of maximising a Promethean Activboard investment.

[markrobinson]

I like that...

"When you innovate, you've got to be prepared for everyone telling you you're nuts." : Larry Ellison


Sad thing is - it is not innovative for kids it is completely expected computer behaviour! At least the activboard can get it out of the kids bedroom and into the classroom.

[Peter_Kent]

Hi Rich,

I am a fan. [clap] I undoubtable will try and contact you to try and get it up and running in here. Students have been creating virtual worlds in Australia for a while using Kahootz, the problem is that Kahootz creates only a single user environment.

Ideally would like to use 2nd Life, but there is no way that our political masters would allow wholesale access to 2nd Life for students.

Lots of educational potential here.

Cheer

Peter

[markrobinson]

I'm using it now on my MAC......

Cool stuff! Be better connected with others...

[Peter_Kent]

Yes, Hmmmm.....The mac thing is a bit of an issue for me, as I am part of the great unwashed.

Is there a way to get it working on a PC?

Peter

[Richwhite]

Thank you so much for your feedback !

We will soon have a PC version --- as well as video of our 6th & 7th graders interacting with it --- as you all know I am sure, the kids are amazingly creative with this stuff ! If they remember their parental consent forms we will post the videos of them creating on the board... its amazing stuff !

If you have any further questions don't hesitate to let me know !

The PC version should be available within the next week or so at http://edusim.greenbush.us

Best Regards,
Rich
:-/
==========

[Richwhite]

I Forgot to mention -- you can in fact bring in video (Mpg format) and audio (wav - mp3) files... as well as .obj files for those proficient with Blender (http://www.blender.org - open source 3D modeling software)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9txgyhz1sDo



Best regards,
Rich

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[Richwhite]

Thank you all very much for your interest in this .... this evening Mashable.com did a nice review of the application.

http://mashable.com/2007/10/02/edusim

Thank you again !

[saha]

I can see a great application of the 3D environment in Chemistry:

-Molecular Modeling
-Building a lab scenario before the students actually do the lab

[Richwhite]

Thats a fantastic idea !

[Richwhite]

Here is a video of our MS kids exploring on Edusim today:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKxxzu00zx8


Best Regards:
Rich
@ http://edusim.greenbush.us

[Richwhite]

Edusim's "Water World" sim is ready for download for those interested !
at -- http://www.edusim3D.com

Regards,
Rich

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[Laura OHalloran]

Wow!

I do like this a lot Rich. I've always been a fan of interactive 3D environments starting with games consoles, series like Myst and Second Life. I know that there are issues around schools using Second Life and I can understand the arguments around this but this seems like a fantastic idea. I'd love to hear more people's ideas of how this could be used in an educational context.

Great stuff [clap]

Laura +wave+

I've now watched the students using this program and I'm even more enthused! I can see this being used in primary schools as well - each child creating their own characters in a 3D environment is fantastic!

[Richwhite]

Another Edusim prototype video for those interested
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVFsxev-2sk


Rich
http://edusim3D.com
:-/

[Richwhite]

A few quick tips for changing block textures & dissectable objects in this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fqwnj0pC5-4

http://edusim3d.com


Cheers!
+wave+
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[jamoore]

Hi Everyone,

I have just been on the net watching Edusim videos and am interested in investigating this further.
Can anyone give me some feedback on how this went in their classroom?
Did you use it in a way to support your curriculum or was it presented as an interesting activity to teach some IT skills?


Jacki

[DavidFhu]

Thanks Rich for posting this...

BTW: There are some experiments to make Activboards work in Second Life too!

http://metalab.blogspot.com/

I was at a Microsoft conference today - and the statistics around the nature and amount of student digital interaction outside school is amazing. Millions of teens inhabit and interact in massive multiuser environments and games like THE SIMS. Bridging that gap is a perfect way of maximising a Promethean Activboard investment.

Second Life. Been there, done that with Activboard in famous local university, National University of Singapore. Better than any other IWB.

[Richwhite]

Quick Update on the project - Alpha 08 has been released - one more until the first Beta version. Alpha 08 includes a 2D flap for typical IWB useage (digital ink) .. then the Edusim flaps for the 3D scenes.

App is here: http://edusim3d.com (http://edusim3d.com)
Video of the new features are here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lScgh68Cz0E (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lScgh68Cz0E)

Also supports Google Sketchup and Google 3D warehouse kmz models.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3086/3128344705_3985261368.jpg

Cheers,
Rich


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[cleerb]

Now we need a Wii remote-type input device to navigate and control objects so you don't have to stand at the board obscuring the view. :)

[markrobinson]

You can use the Promethean Activslate to do that. These softwares are mouse driven generally at the moment.

In fact I know at least one University where digital media students are using the Activslate to remote control and do peer review of their 3D digital space work

Some notes about it here:
http://ddmcollective.blogspot.com/2007/12/using-second-life-with-whiteboard.html

The whole DDM collective site is full of cool stuff about education/3D worlds