Overview

Immersive 3D Games

This technology immerses the student in a virtual 3D world where the subject at hand is immediately applicable within that world. This has been shown to be crucial in the retention of information: the mind subconsciously filters information for relevancy. If the information is not seen as important, the information is put in short-term memory forgotten soon after. If the information can be applied, it will be retained. Keep in mind that this is not some trivial "edutainment" game that "might promote learning", but is a full, structured curriculum within a 3D game environment.

Dynamic Review System

It's not enough to merely present material. If the student has not retained the material, his study time has been wasted. This system is designed to dynamically retest the student on previously studied material and provide reviews as needed. This is a proficiency-based system, where you can have confidence that the student has truly learned the material. It's important that a student not only works with the material, but can also get help when he has difficulties. Our technology has the ability to present helps customized to the student response.

Selection Of Games

The Games are separate modules from the Subjects: you can use all Subjects with any Game and can use all Games with any Subject. It's the maximum of flexibility! There is a rich variety of Games from which to choose: from a patriotic environment where you play Uncle Sam and rescue Lady Liberty, to a tropical reef scene where you are a fish feeding on knowledge, to a minimal environment where you can work with the Subject without distractions. The record keeping is unified across the system, so the student can switch between environments without disturbing his progress in a subject.

Academic Powerhouse With Simple Subject Scripting

The Subjects are implemented in a simple text-based script. Authors can be easily trained in using this scripting system which requires no special technology. Simply create a text file in this format and you have a Subject. However, it is in no way limited to text! It provides for a rich variety of multimedia including graphical images (.jpg), audio (WAV and MP3), video (avi, mpeg), and slide shows. The author can utilize as much or as little multimedia as he/she wishes. The structure of this scripting system has been designed to guide the author into creating educationally sound material where the student is required to comprehend as well as memorize the material. We recognize that some activities are better done off the computer, and have made provisions for the system to include off-line assignments, suggestions for further study, and reference material.

Special Needs

Many students have difficulty reading, contaminating the rest of their education with frustration and discouragement. To aid these students, we have included text-to-speech technology to allow the student to have the computer read the text to him. We have also incorporated a "large text" mode for the visually impaired.

The New Technology Standard

This technology is the next generation beyond any existing learning technology. With our open scripting policy in which independent authors can develop subjects without interference, there is sure to be a rich variety of elective subjects in addition to the core curriculum. Academics 3D is sure to become the learning technology standard of the future.