Animated Simulations

Animated Simulations,
Angela Sauro
 
Animated simulations seem to be taking over everything these days.  I know it's amazing to use whether is be for training, teaching, entertainment, and the list goes on.  I happen to be a huge fan of CSI so I thought I would use that as an example.  They use alot of animation on the show to simulate how a crime happened and also when they are conducting their forensic research.  As I was doing research for this topic I came across an interesting website:  http://www.forensic-media.com/.   Perspective Media Group offers visual aids for negotiation and trial.  They use high quality computer animations for a jury to understand, remember, and believe what the lawyer is explaining to them.  With the help of animated simulations, you can take days of complex testimony and turn it into a 30 to 60 second presentation.  I think that is pretty amazing considering this will most likely have more of an impact that a jury listening to hours of testimony. 
 
For most people, including myself, seeing something will say much more and be much more memorable.  In the training field being able to use animated simulation can be much more helpful but for alot of reasons.  For one, it could be a money issue.  Even though it can cost tons of money to have a simulation developed, it can have the potential to save even more money.  An example of that is a course I worked on once.  It involved a KC-10 aircraft.  The personnel being trained on the aircraft had acces to a flight simulator where they could practice engine run and emergency shutdown procedures.  It was better for them to train in the simulator first because the aircraft itself it alot more money than what the simulator cost.  If they were training in the aircraft and starting an engine and had an emergency and didn't know what to do the damage could be catastrophic.  In a simulator that is not going to happen. 
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