1. Using Flowol Software To Create Simulations

2. Simulation Software What is simulation software? It is software designed to SIMULATE situations and the responses to those situations. For example, simulation software is useful when training pilots how to fly It is useful when testing the safety effectiveness of a new car Your favourite computer game may even be considered a simulation!

3. What are the benefits of simulation software? It’s cheaper than having humans try out ideas in different situations It’s safer than having humans try out their tests in different situations It allows more situations to be considered For example, trainee pilots may ruin a lot of controls and even whole airplanes before they get it right!! (That is, if they haven’t been hurt or killed…) For example, fire fighters may get seriously injured or killed trying out a new protective suit if it’s not simulated or tested in different situations first For example, if testing out a new car’s brakes, different weather situations can be simulated without having to wait for actual rain, snow, wind, etc.

4. What are the drawbacks of simulation software? It’s only ever as accurate as the possibilities it’s been programmed with. It’s been programmed by a human, and humans are fallible (likely to fail) Airplane controls can’t be tested against everything every single individual may do in any given situation. Humans are more complex than computers ever will be! It can’t account for every type of fire situation, with the floor plan of every type of building and every member of each fire brigade and what their individual training is… It can’t account for every type of weather situation, combined with possible road conditions, combined with the ability and state of mind of each individual driver… For example…

5. Using Flowol Simulation Software Flowol is simulation or control software. In this lesson, you will be learning how to control the flashing of zebra crossing lights, actually making them flash on & off. This will simulate what would happen if the lights were in a real situation. The next slides show the toolbars for the program

6. The Toolbar

9. Zebra Crossing Flowchart The lights blink on & off when the controls are set

10. What Now? Click on Start, Programs, Flowol3 Open the zebra crossing mimic Create a procedure which will make the lights flash on and off continually. Experiment with different delay timings!