Physics Phun
February 22, 2008 — Daniel LivingstonePhun looks amazing - a 2D physics sandbox game from the Umeå VR Lab. I can imagine just giving this to students to play around with or to integrate into a class - asking students to conduct (design as well?) experiments and share results. A bit reminiscent of Crayon Physics (which I was sure I’d blogged, but it looks like I forgot to!), but with more control over the physics and without the game goals.
Check out the Phun and Crayon Physics Deluxe videos below… then go download ‘em and try ‘em out!
Phun:
Crayon Physics Deluxe (A better, not yet available, version of Crayon Physics!):
February 23, 2008 at 2:46 am
Thanks, really good physics tools
see also linerider and soda constructor
Tony
February 24, 2008 at 8:33 pm
That looks very phun and educational - the youtube has the link to the mp3 backinng track, which I have downloaded. Though does it explain the causes and effects of physics and physical actions and reactions? because the question is, what does the student learn from these activities?
February 25, 2008 at 11:20 am
No Liam, it does not explain the physics - I don’t see either of these as a teacher replacement.
I can imagine creating a set of lab sheets and experiments and exercises for Phun - the simulation appears to be sufficiently detailed and accurate to use it for that purpose.
March 14, 2008 at 9:34 am
[...] - and being discussed by the developers. I have to say that I’d still be more tempted to use Phun based on what can be seen here. Phun looks far more powerful, and based on open-ended play. Newtoon [...]