Interactive Physics: Algodoo, the educational version of Phun, optimized for the Classmate PC

Via Kenneth, Emil, and Fredrik, of Alogryx:

Algoryx, a software company, has announced an educational version of Phun Physics, called "Algodoo". It is on display Classmate PC at BETT 2009 in London this week (January 14-17).

"Algodoo is a 2D-simulation environment for creating interactive scenes in a playful, cartoony manner, making use of the physics that we use to explain our real world. Algodoo is designed to encourage young people’s own creativity, ability and motivation to construct knowledge. The synergy of science and art makes Algodoo as educational as it is entertaining. Algodoo applies a constructionistic learning paradigm - learning by designing, constructing and exploring physical systems."

"Algodoo has been optimized for the Intel-powered convertible classmate PC and makes innovative use of many of its features including the webcam for creating physical models from live photos, the touch screen and digital pen input for drawing objects, and the accelerometer for virtual experiments and very direct interaction with the physical simulation. We are quite amazed by the performance, features and look and feel of this little notebook. Learn more about it here: http://www.classmatepc.com/"

Intel's Classmate PC

The origional version, Phun, continues to be available for free, for non-commercial use. It can be downloaded from the Phunland wiki.

Phun Videoclip: Theo Jansen Mechanism

Interacting and Communicating with HP TouchSmart Notes: Photo, Video, Audio, and More

The HP TouchSmart Notes application can be used in a variety of interesting ways. I have an HP TouchSmart PC, and I like how easy it is to slide the notes about the screen using this multi-modal application. It allows the user to take capture pictures, video, or audio to create notes, as well as traditional "stickies" that allow for typing or finger-writing input. You can even draw or write over photos. It is an application that has many accessibility features. It also supports many of the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

The various notes can be put together in a variety of ways, and allow for video or photo storytelling and interesting ways of leaving messages- even a song or two.

I did some hunting and found the more information about some non-verbal students with autism who are learning verbal skills through this technology at Hope Technology School in Palo Alto, California.

Video of student using the HP TouchSmart Notes application at Hope Technology School:






Here are a few "How Two" videos that demonstrate the TouchSmart Notes features and interactions:

HP TouchSmart Voice Notes


TouchSmart Text Notes


The pictures below are from the HP TouchSmart Notes Application Review , by Peter Redmer 11/14/08



Text/Drawing Note Creation Panel


Icons for selecting input method for notes



Photo notes input panel:



You can draw on your photo-notes:

HP TouchSmart PC Supports Communication for Students with Autism

Autism Tech | Consumer Health Video Library - Heath Video

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Hope Technology School

Usability, Accessibility, and User Experience in a Win7 Environment

Microsoft's newest operating system, Win7 (beta), allows for multi-touch interaction and application development. From what I can tell from the news from the Consumer Electronic Show (CES 2009), touch and gesture interaction holds quite a bit of interest among consumers and application developers alike.

Hopefully people will think carefully about user experience and usability factors when developing the applications we'll be using in the not too distant future!

Because of my background as a school psychologist, I’m interested how touch/gesture applications can address accessibility and universal usability issues.

I wasn't able to locate user experience or usability information for Win7. Here are a few links from the Microsoft website that I think are worth reading:

Touch Interaction Guidelines

How to Design a Great User Experience

Designing with Windows Presentation Foundation

Accessibility

According to the research from Microsoft, ”more than half of all computer users experience difficulties or impairments related to accessibility, and are likely to benefit from the use of accessible technology. Moreover, approaching software design with the flexibility and inclusiveness that are the hallmarks of accessibility often results in overall improved usability and customer satisfaction.”

Regarding touch/gesture interaction, know that “19% (24.4 million) of computer users have a mild dexterity difficulty or impairment, and 5% (6.8 million) of computer users have a severe dexterity difficulty or impairment.”

Christian Moore, from the NUI-Group, shared this nice graphic that depicts the various fields that intersect or converge with interface design, which I think is useful when thinking about how we will design, develop, and use emerging technologies:



Concepts such as accessibility and universal usability can fit into this design!

For more information regarding multi-touch, see my previous post, "For Techies and the Tech-Curious: Multi-touch/Gesture from the NUI Group"

Interactive Multimedia and Multi-touch at CES

I received couple of interesting links about interactive multimedia applications from Anthony Uhrick, of NextWindow, who is attending CES (Consumer Electronics Show). (NextWindow is the company who produces large touch-screen displays that have duo and multi-touch capabilities.)

Kevin Kennedy and his team at InterKnowlogy partnered with Zygote 3D Human Anatomy and Intermountain Health Care to develop a health care application developed in Windows Presentation Foundation to run on Microsoft's multi-touch Surface computing table.

The application supports collaboration between health care professionals and could also support collaboration between patients and doctors as well. Aspects of the application could be useful for patient education.

I really liked the part that demonstrates how you can zoom deeply into the 3D heart and look at things from various angles.


http://silverlight.interknowlogy.com/Videos/VitruView/default.html

Best of InterKnowlogy Surface:



The above video demos an application that might be useful for teaching history with an interesting timeline interface dial.

Visit InterKnowlogy for more videos and information about what they are doing with Windows Presentation & Silverlight as partners with Microsoft's Surface team.

If you are interested in more 3D anatomy, visit Zygote's 3D Human Anatomy site and 3D Science. If you are an educator, you'll see that 3D interaction has potential for creating more engaging science and health education lessons!

Another interesting link is to TouchTV Networks, which has partnered with companies such as Vectorform, who are also working with multi-touch applications using Windows Presentation Foundation.

Video from TouchTV Networks of CES 2009 Demo:


Vectorform's Virtual Drum Kit application:


Vectorform's Surface at School - demonstrates how this can be used in a classroom:


Vectorform's Surface DJ


Does anyone want to give me a multi-touch table?

I wish I was at the Consumer Electronics Show! (Links to CES info and updates, also MacWorld)

There are plenty of people reporting and blogging about CES 2009, and I won't have time to digest it all for a while. I've embeded the CNET overview video below, which includes a demonstration of some interesting interactive technologies and applications.

If you want the latest scoop, your first stop should be CNET's CES 2009 website. It is almost as good as being there, and you won't have to deal with the crowds.



Here is the overview video from the site:

Lots of cool stuff, like 3DVU's Way2Go 3D mobile mapping and GPS system:



3DVU's Way2Go Website

(By the way, if you are interested, here is a link to CNET's MacWorld site.)