During much of the year 2009, a study of SchoolSims feasibility was completed in partner with Auckland Grammar School. Specifically, we authors have ran five pilot projects in each of the subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Business, Mathematics(with Diocesan) and History.
Positive feedback were received from the students who participated and from 80% to 100% of the students wanted to see more simulations of the kind we offer in the future of their educations. There were also marked improvement in test results among students who trialled the sims showing a great increase in learning. The results supported the benefits in which we knew simulations could enhance education in schools. We are really excited to be a part of the success of simulation learning and helping the next generation to be the best they can be.
Following the success of the pilots, we decided to expand the coverage of our simulations to 50% of year 12 curriculum in NCEA and CIE by February 2010. To accommodate for the creation of this large amount of contents, we are looking to take on board 10 to 20 new authors during the holiday period. So far the offer has generated an enormous amount of interest, as we have received almost 100 applications to date. The selection period is not due to be finished until late November.
-Robert Wang
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This is the progress on our sims to date:
Physics (Target: 80% NCEA)
* Mechanics – completed with videos
* Waves – completed, creating videos
* Electricity – due to complete next week, no videos yet
Chemistry (Target: 50% NCEA)
* Titration – completed, overview video
* Organic chemistry – due to complete early next week
* Redox – due to complete this week, creating videos
Biology (Target: 50% NCEA)
* Ecology – completed with videos
* Cells – due to complete next week
* Genetics – completed, creating videos
Math (Target: 100% NCEA, 50% CIE)
* Series CIE – completed, no videos yet
* Sequences – completed with all videos
* Algebra – completed, creating videos
* Quadratics – completed, more polishing possibly needed
* Quadratics CIE – completed
* Differetiation and Integration – completed, creating videos
* Probability – completed, creating videos
* Functions CIE – completed, creating videos
* Numerical Analysis CIE – completed, creating videos
* Coordinate Geometry – completed with all videos
* Trigonometry – completed, no videos yet
History (Target: 80% of popular topics)
* Six-day war (sim used in pilot program) – completed with videos
* The rise of Hitler – completed, overview video
* The cold war – completed, no videos yet
* Origin of WW1 – due to complete next week
* Russia 1890-1922 (Bolsheviks & Lenin, the rise of communism) due to complete next week
Accounting (Target: 50% CIE)
* Costing – completed with all videos
* Principles – completed, testing needed
* Equity – due to complete next week
* Control Systems – due to complete this week
* Ratio – completed, creating videos
Economics (Target: 80% NCEA)
* International trade – completed with all videos
* Goverment policies – completed, additional questions needed
* Economic growth – completed, creating videos
* Inflation – due to complete next week