Our suite of simulations will illustrate a variety of phenomena, including the `flickering' of red blood cells, the `crumpling' transition in polymerized membranes, and string theory. We are using Java, supported by text, still images, video, and interactive simulation-on-demand. Java simulations of small systems provide the most interactive experience for the student. However, Java is currently comparatively slow, and client systems are not up to supercomputing standards. Thus we will also use simulation-on-demand for larger systems. Even here, Java is an excellent tool for building client-side user interfaces.
The term `edutainment' has been coined to describe the idea of adding entertainment to an education application to enhance the learning experience. In essence, the old idea of making learning fun -- taking medicine with sugar. However, we must recognize just how challenging it may be to entertain; students are unimpressed by last year's video games. It is a tall order to produce physics education material that will be considered `cool' and thus interesting. While we cannot compete with the latest video games on presentation, we must not become complacent and assume content will be enough.
In spite of the need to be `cool', we think simplicity is very important. Most students will use each applet for only a short time, and so time spent learning to use the applet is largely time wasted. We are not trying to teach people how to `drive' an applet, we are trying to teach physics. So we want to leverage as much as possible from the students' experience with other computer interfaces (games, for example). Can we make the applets seem intuitive? If we can, then the learning experience will be less stressful and hopefully more productive. It is thus important not to fall into the `gizmo trap.' Functionality should be added only where it doesn't make the basic functions more difficult to use. There can always be a second version with more complex features. Also important is screen real estate; adding redundant functionality often wastes this precious resource.