Darwin Speaks vs Aktiv Learning

Charles Darwin, the naturalist, geologist, and leading contributor to the fundamental principles of Evolution, comes alive through synthetic interview technology. Duquesne University biology professor John Pollock collaborated with Carnegie Mellon University's Entertainment Technology Center (creator of the Synthetic Interview technology) to develop an interactive experience in which users to select from a list of questions to ask the virtual Darwin, portrayed by Pittsburgh actor and Carnegie Mellon drama alumnus Randy Kovitz. Questions cover Darwin's adventures, the principles of evolution, the public response to his discovery, his childhood, personal quirks and a number of other topics. More than a dozen modern-day biologists, religious authorities, an ACLU lawyer and other experts provide modern commentary and answer questions beyond Darwin's 19th century knowledge. Questions to be answered by Darwin have been drawn from more than 1,000 interviews with K-12 students and adults that were distilled into the 199 most frequently asked questions. Answers to these questions, compiled by Dr. David Lampe, are in Darwin’s own words; drawn from a considerable body of Darwin’s writings, including his notes, books, autobiography, and the thousands of Darwin’s personal letters available through the Darwin Correspondence Project. Principal Funding from the National Institutes of Health/Science Education Partnership Awards (SEPA) and the John Templeton Foundation. For more information about other evolution education tools visit: www.sepa.duq.edu/darwin/education Please Note: This is a large application. App download may take a few minutes depending on internet speeds. Privacy Policy: https://dynamoid.com/privacy/Darwin+Speaks

Aktiv Learning is an active learning platform built specifically for college-level chemistry and mathematics. Say goodbye to static content and generic multiple choice questions and hello to dynamic problems that are designed to help students learn and visualize abstract concepts in STEM. Aktiv Learning allows chemistry instructors to ask students engaging questions, such as drawing Lewis structures, and receive real-time information on what structures the class is drawing. The app features a custom-built tool that allows students and instructors to quickly and intuitively draw Lewis structures on mobile devices. Additionally, both students and instructors have access to over 250 built-in questions related to Lewis structures, resonance, molecular geometries, VSEPR, hybridization, sigma and pi bonding, and molecular polarity. Features: • Intuitive Lewis structures drawing tool built specifically for mobile devices - Use as engaging demonstration for your students to show example Lewis structures and reinforce concepts such as the octet rule, formal charge, and VSEPR. Students can take advantage of the drawing tool to visualize the relationship between Lewis structures and molecular shapes. • Create in-class or homework assignments - Perfect for clicker, recitation, or review problems. Students receive push notifications to alert and remind them of pending assignments. • Assign or practice with over 250 built-in questions related to Lewis structures, resonance, molecular geometries, VSEPR, hybridization, sigma and pi bonding, and molecular polarity. • Real-time class results - Quickly find common incorrect structures to address student misunderstanding before exams. • Isoform recognition - Aktiv’s technology recognizes correct answers independent of the drawn structure orientation. • Export student activity - Student participation and performance exported in a tap of a button. • Easy sign-up - Students and instructors can create accounts and join courses all within the app in a few steps. • School IT and device independent - Assign, work, and review from any mobile device and over any network connection. More content and features coming soon!