Evochron for Education Purposes

haloterm · Post by **haloterm** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 8:05 am

Hello,

as some of you know, I love this game, although I apparently had not much time to be in Multiplayer lately.

Now, this semester I hold a seminar at Rostock University related to simulations and computer games, esp. for learning purposes.

One of the lessons will differentiate games from simulations. In particular, students will compare three approaches with "flying space ships through space":

1. X-Beyond the frontier series (probably the old X-Tension)
2. Evochron Legends (everybody should know this one

)
3. Orbiter 2006 (a very realistic space simulation)

The students should recognize the increasing complexity, regarding the physics embedded in the games/programs, from 1 to 3.

Now, my question is: Has anybody used EL for education purposes, too? I'm interested in any related exchange.

halo

Post by **Marvin** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 4:41 pm

Not me but, in my opinion, you should give an "A" to anyone who can successfully dock in Orbiter. And, if the student does it manually in the space shuttle and then returns to Earth without burning up ... that should count at an "A" for the entire semester.

Mad Mike · Post by **Mad Mike** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 12:10 am

Haloterm,

Well yes I have but not in a way you might expect. I'm the 1st officer on a 250' offshore exploration and construction vessel and while sitting dockside I had to shift my ship to let another ship out, and my deckhands have been watching me play this game, so when I was moving back towards the dock to tie up I let the ship coast into the dock, which is normal. I made the comment to the deckhand over the raido that coasting movements are just like flying my ship in the game. Except that I have a drag factor due to the water. These are up and coming boat drivers so this game is a good tool for teaching momentem and how to predict actions. Albiet without the water and wind factors involved.

You must learn to walk before you can run.

tha_rami · Post by **tha_rami** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 11:03 am

In your case, Mad Mike, I'd say 'you must learn to fly a spaceship before you dock a ship' does sound kind of turned around

.

Lollo1572 · Post by **Lollo1572** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 1:32 pm

Hi Halo!
So you are a Professor and you teach also...... space sims!!
Very Good!
X Beyond the Frontier is the first game of X series, X-Tension is an extension of it with the possibility to pilot different ships and build stations! Then X2, X3, TC.
I came from X Universe!

Lollo

AmuroRei · Post by **AmuroRei** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 3:02 pm

We come from the universe of X!!

[Modificato il 10-22-2009 da AmuroRei]

haloterm · Post by **haloterm** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 6:15 pm

Hey Lollo,

not a professor, just a under-payed research assistant

However, comparing different approaches of space games/sims may seem to be fun, but for students it may be boring as all other kinds of teaching (though I try my best to make it interesting

)

Mad Mike, thanks for your report. It is interesting to read this. Navigating for docking is exactly the thing the students will have to compare -- analysing the human computer / machine interaction involved in the procedures.