----------
> From: a colleague
> a simulation environment for children
> that requires no written programming language. Here's the announcement
of
> its release from Apple. The demo was phenomenal; I don't know how the
> product is yet.
> >From: Kurt Schmucker <kurts@research.apple.com>
> >Subject: Cocoa released
> >
> > Thank you for your interest in KidSim and/or Cocoa.
> >
> > Cocoa, the Apple product based on the KidSim research, has just
> >been released on the Apple Web site.
> >
> > This version of Cocoa is publicly available and free of charge.
> >You can get it by pointing your web browser to:
> >
> > http://cocoa.apple.com
> >
> > On this web site you will find the Cocoa software itself, sample
> >worlds, tutorials for both kids and adults, QuickTime movies about
Cocoa,
> >suggestions for teachers and parents, as well as pages designed
especially
> >for kids.
> >
> > Currently, the only way to get this version of Cocoa is from the
> >Apple web site. There is no floppy or CD distribution at this time.
> >
> > Apple plans to release versions of Cocoa in the future. The
best
> >person to communicate with about these future releases is the Cocoa
> >marketing manager, Karl May (may1@apple.com).
> >
> >
> > Kurt Schmucker
> > Cocoa Project Manager
> > Apple Research Labs
> >
> >
> >
> > From the Apple Press Release:
> >
> > Cocoa is an interactive media authoring tool for children 10 years and
> >above, as well as non-technical adults Cocoa and its accompanying
Netscape
> >Navigator plug-in allow children to build simulations, games and
> >interactive worlds into web pages quickly and easily.
> >
> > "Just as Sun Microsystems' Java and Macromedia's Shockwave have
provided
> >custom, media-rich web content for technically savvy developers, Cocoa
> >brings this technology into the reach of kids and non-technical adults,"
> >said Larry Tesler, vice president, Internet platforms, Apple Computer.
> >"Cocoa generates ready-to-publish Web pages automatically, so users can
> >build interactive multimedia web sites just by pointing and clicking."
> >
> >Internet Authoring for Kids
> >
> > Kids can create simulations, games, animations, nonlinear stories, and
> >interactive worlds with Cocoa. In Cocoa Worlds, users create objects,
each
> >of which can have independent behaviors assigned to them. As the
simulation
> >is run, the objects find themselves in different environments, which the
> >user can program them to react to. Their reactions can involve movement,
> >animation, playing sounds, and creating or deleting other objects.
> >
> > Cocoa offers a friendly, familiar Macintosh interface, incorporating
drag
> >and drop functionality and a built-in painting tool. The programming is
> >accomplished by simply demonstrating an object's desired reactions. The
> >system then writes all the code automatically and is transparent to the
> >user. An element of randomness can be added to the simulations, making
them
> >run differently every time. When these worlds are embedded in Web pages,
> >every time the Web page is visited, a completely novel experience can be
> >generated.
> >
> > Using this technology, children can leverage the World Wide Web to
build a
> >huge, ever-evolving adventure game, completely designed and implemented
by
> >them, playing differently every time through.
> >
> >Cocoa: Ideal Learning Tool
> >
> > Cocoa is the product of many years of research conducted by Apple's
> >Advanced Technology Group. Over 75 schools and institutions in North
> >America and Europe were involved in extensive user testing with hundreds
of
> >children. Most of the testers have learned to use the basic features of
> >Cocoa in less than 20 minutes. Cocoa is offered as a visual,
> >demonstrational alternative to Logo, Basic or HyperTalk for teaching
> >problem solving and introductory programming.
> >
> > "Motivation is very important in learning," said Augusto Chioccariello
of
> >the Institute of Learning Technology in Genoa, Italy. "Once you have a
> >simulation that the child likes, it is possible to use it as an object
to
> >think with. Only when you start engaging in this process does learning
> >happen. Cocoa facilitates this."