| Students around the world are experimenting with physics in playful, educational ways thanks to the Algodoo application by Algoryx Simulation in Umeå, Sweden. Algodoo is a unique physics simulation software that engages students in science by enabling them to easily create interactive scenes and physical experiments that are fun, creative and visual. Algodoo was originally developed in 2007–2008 by Emil Ernerfeldt as part of his thesis project in Computer Science at Umeå University. In 2008, Ernerfeldt joined Algoryx Simulation, and the company continued to develop and sell the product. Algoryx Simulation had an opportunity to learn more about SMART Board interactive whiteboards at the BETT education show in 2010. Both companies immediately saw possibilities for collaboration. Later that year, Algoryx Simulation began integrating the Algodoo application with the SMART Board 800 series interactive whiteboard, which features touch gesture and multitouch capabilities that enable two people to work together anywhere on the surface at the same time. |
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When Algoryx Simulation began their integration project, the 800 series was in prerelease stage. “It was exciting to be at the edge, showing the potential of what you could do on the 800 series interactive whiteboards,” says Joel Carlquist, who handled the integration project at Algoryx Simulation.
Before Algoryx Simulation began development work for the integration, they researched the SMART Board software development kit (SDK) and other SMART products. “We were very impressed. And then once we started working with SMART, we were happy with how quickly we could get feedback and sort out small details,” explains Carlquist.
“It was very easy to get rolling with the SDK. In a very short time we were able to start working with the input from the interactive whiteboard and focus on the application of the SDK. It was easier than most SDKs that I’ve worked with because it’s very clear cut and well documented,” Carlquist continues. “In a world where there can be horrible SDKs, this was not one of them! The SMART Board SDK was very pleasant to work with. We were impressed by how little effort was required to integrate with all of the new features.”
The Algodoo application was awarded Elite accreditation from SMART. Algoryx Simulation was invited to demonstrate the application in the SMART booth at the 2011 BETT conference.
“All of the extra public awareness that has been created by the Algodoo demonstrations at exhibitions has been great for us.” says Carlquist. “At the demonstrations, people are very impressed with the combination of the interactive whiteboard and our Algodoo application. It’s such a unique way to display our software, and now people connect Algodoo with the SMART Board interactive whiteboard. It’s been a great collaboration for us.”
Algoryx Simulation has already won two prestigious awards for innovation and future potential. And whenever its developers talk with the SMART Ecosystem team, Carlquist says, they get more ideas for the future.“[We] feel inspired by all of the possibilities, and we just wish that we had more time to do it all!”
Lucia Jonsson, sales and marketing manager at Algoryx Simulation, says that working with SMART has been a major success. “Teachers have been fascinated by Algodoo and the ability to use it on the SMART Board interactive whiteboard,” she says. “We’ve had enormous interest from SMART resellers all around the world to resell Algodoo and demonstrate it to their customers.”
Related resources
View our promotional videos for the SMART Board 800 series interactive whiteboard, featuring the Algodoo application: