Sun, Earth, and Moon (S.E.M.) Software Guide

for Software Version 1.4


Introduction:

Welcome to the ORI Applied Computer Simulation Labs' Sun, Earth, and Moon (S.E.M.) software. S.E.M. is an advanced virtual environment simulation program designed to help orthopedically challenged individuals study how the phases of Earth's moon operate. Although the software is designed to be easy to use by orthopedically challenged individuals, it is a unique learning tool for any individual who has a desire to better understand the basic mechanics and physics of of Earth's moon as it relates to the changing phases of the Moon we see from Earth.

The S.E.M. software is part of a research grant funded by US Department of Education that officially ended on October 1, 2000. The goal of this research was to determine the effectiveness of using simulation software and virtual reality technology to help orthopedically challenged individuals learn to apply the scientific method with the assistance of virtual science teaching software.

Although the research for this project is officially completed, we invite any interested science teachers to implement this software in their classrooms. We are especially interested in how it helps orthopedically challenged students learn scientific concepts, and the scientific method, but we recognize it as a valuable learning tool for any science student, and we would like to know how well it works for you.

The software installer for the S.E.M. Software is free for noncommercial use, and requires about 1.1 MB of storage space when installed. The S.E.M. software is developed by the Oregon Research Institute Applied Computer Simulation Labs. Our address and contact information is shown below.

Oregon Research Institute
Applied Computer Simulation Labs
1715 Franklin Blvd.
Eugene, OR 97403-1983
http://simlabs.ori.org