Crocodile Clips
Simple Simulation Software
Crocodile Clips launches new teaching tools
1 October 2002
On October 1st 2002, Crocodile Clips launched three new software titles at the Royal Institution.
The new products extend the company's range of secondary-school software, used in over 40 countries, and enhance its reputation for powerful yet user-friendly teaching tools. A leader in educational software worldwide, Crocodile Clips' aim is to fully utilise computer simulation to involve the student, rather than simply delivering printed facts online.
Absorb Chemistry for GCSE is a comprehensive online course. Written by the acclaimed author Lawrie Ryan, it is a collection of lesson-sized units which can be used in a variety of ways. They are ideal for projecting on a whiteboard to teach a whole class; alternatively, the flexible structure allows students to study alone - either as part of a computer-lab lesson, or to revise or catch up on missed work. Kadie Armstrong, Crocodile Clips' Courseware Coordinator, said "We're aiming to bring together the best examples of computer-based learning here. Simulations, investigations, animations, videos and questions are wrapped in a narrative framework, with as much interactivity as possible."
The latest version of Crocodile Physics adds simulation of waves. This virtual physics lab already covers electricity, optics, force and motion and oscillations, and is used in over half of Britain's secondary schools. Now students can model their own wave experiments safely and easily, investigating subjects such as damping, X-rays, water waves, harmonics and interference. Angela McArthur from Crocodile Clips said "The important difference with Crocodile Physics is that settings can be varied during the experiment, and the effects are instantly modelled. This means it can simulate experiments which aren't even possible in a lab."
Crocodile Mathematics now allows mathematical models to be created more simply, by dragging connections between shapes, equations and numbers. This gives even inexperienced users access to a powerful mathematical engine, and offers a new 'experimental mathematics' which is especially useful for more abstract topics. Dominic Sharratt, Crocodile Clips' Marketing Director, said "Many people just don't feel confident with mathematics. We're hoping this will give them new ways of understanding by visually demonstrating concepts that are normally difficult to grasp."
Crocodile Clips' innovative software has been recognised by several awards, including the Queen's Award for Enterprise. The software is used worldwide, with French, German, Spanish, Portuguese and Japanese versions.
The Royal Institution, founded in 1799, is the site of some of the great scientific discoveries of the past 200 years. It was here that Humphry Davy first found the elements sodium and potassium, and that Michael Faraday discovered electro-magnetic induction. It is still a pioneering centre for scientific learning, and is home to the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures, broadcast on Channel 4.