Difference between revisions of "Nintendo DS Classroom"

From Rare Gaming Dump
(Added links to dev listings on YAJ and provided an more information on a potential NAND dump.)
m (Add another resource.)
 
(5 intermediate revisions by one other user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
The '''Nintendo DS(i) Classroom''', known as '''v1.4J_kst''' in the DSi's System Settings is a specialized DSi version used in Japanese schools. This version contains many differences from a retail unit, including some applications exclusive to this version of the DSi.
+
[[File:NintendoDSi-Classroom_Logo.jpg|right|350px]]
 +
'''Nintendo DS Classroom''' (ニンテンドーDS教室) is an educational system jointly developed by Nintendo and Sharp System Products, utilizing the Nintendo DSi LL (known as the Nintendo DSi XL internationally) for students to use as a learning device during class. The program was available exclusively in Japan and rolled out between January and April 2010.
  
−
=="DS in the Classroom"==
+
==Overview==
−
On June 9th 2009, Nintendo announced they will partnership with Sharp System Products to create a Nintendo DSi for use on Japanese schools for Japanese children in elementary schools, junior high schools and high schools. Simply codenamed '''Nintendo DS Classroom''', the unit would promise that teachers can use the DS Classroom on their PC so it will communicate with Nintendo DS's with a DS Classroom cartridge or with Nintendo DSi's with the DS Classroom app installed as DSiWare.
+
===Contents===
−
[[File:NDS-classroom.png|thumb|A diagram of how the system would work.]]
+
[[File:NintendoDSi-Classroom_Box.png|200px|thumb|The box for a Nintendo DS Classroom unit<ref>[https://consolevariations.com/collectibles/nintendo-dsi-ll-classroom-unit Nintendo DSi LL Classroom Unit (Consolevariations)] [https://web.archive.org/web/20230903194352/https://consolevariations.com/collectibles/nintendo-dsi-ll-classroom-unit (Archive)]</ref>.]]
−
Furthermore, Nintendo goes on to say that Sharp System Products would work on 60 applications offering a variety of subjects, such as languages, math, history, and more. 30 applications would be for elementary schools, 20 for junior high schools and 10 for high schools. The system would then launch on February 2010 in Japan, but would be first showed off at the '''New Education Expo 2009''', held in Osaka on June 17th and June 18th.
+
Nintendo DS Classroom units are shipped in white boxes, illustrating the Nintendo DSi LL with the Nintendo DS Classroom's logo. Inside the box is the unit itself with a white/grey color scheme, a thick plastic pen and a power supply. On the back of the unit is a giant sticker with legal information.
  
−
However, after the expo, in August 2009, Nintendo announced that the DS Classroom application would be exclusive to Nintendo DSi, despite an image of a cartridge being shown on the diagram. NTR-Classroom equipment was never released, but a DS Classroom cartridge was listed in an official Nintendo DS Master List.
+
The PC software likely would've been distributed digitally.
 +
<div style="clear: both;"/>
  
−
==Nintendo DS Classroom application==
+
===Nintendo DS Software===
−
The DS Classroom application opens up as a Nintendo Zone-looking UI and it will start searching for computers connected over the same Wi-Fi connection. Up to 50 people can join in. The application would work as interactive tests made by the teacher and the teacher would be able to view scores and rankings, similar in a way of Kahoot and Nearpod.
+
[[File:NintendoDSi-Classroom_Screenshot-1.png|thumb|A question where you get to pick answers from a list<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20110817015455/http://www.sharp-ssp.co.jp/ds/material.html 対応教材 (Sharp System Products) (Archived)]</ref>.]]
−
[[File:Classroomquestions1.png|thumb|left|200px|A "yes" or "no" quiz using a circle and a cross.]]
+
The primary application for getting work exercises done is through the Nintendo DS Classroom application (ニンテンドーDSきょうしつ). The application uses a modified version of Nintendo Zone and relies on a PC with the DS Classroom software that is connected over the same network. 50 consoles can be connected to one network simultaneously. Once connected, a student can follow several different courses or tests set up by their teacher.
−
[[File:Classroomquestions2.png|right|thumb|200px|On the top is the question, on the bottom is the PC software recieving the answeres.]]
 
−
A teacher would install the Nintendo DS Classroom PC software and create a quiz. These quizzes can have a variety of questions about anything, with the teacher being able to add examples and images as well.
 
  
−
==(Re)discovery==
+
On a Nintendo DSi, a student can partake in live tests or surveys that are set up by their teacher. Additionally, they can send drawings or photos through a drawing or DSi Camera board and have these display on a teacher's PC. Students can also work individually through preset tasks and create their own memorization cards. Once a Nintendo DSi unit is disconnected, all data sent during that session is lost and saved to the teacher's PC<ref name="functions">[https://web.archive.org/web/20100428091854/http://www.sharp-ssp.co.jp/ds/function.html 機能紹介 (Sharp System Products) (Archived)]</ref>.
−
A NAND dump was made by Nintendo devkit collector '''Voodooween''' around May 2019. An image of the unit was included.
+
<div style="clear: both;"/>
  
−
Around July 2019, an official Nintendo DS Master List surfaced showing that the NTR version of the Nintendo DS Classroom application does exist as a rom file, just never released. However, the PC software for the Nintendo DS Classroom application remains lost.
+
===PC Software===
 +
[[File:NintendoDSi-Classroom_ClassMenu.jpg|thumb|The PC software's dashboard<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100427222024/http://www.sharp-ssp.co.jp/ds/usage.html 活用方法 (Sharp System Products) (Archived)]</ref>.]]
 +
On PC, a teacher has access to a dashboard where they can start tests, exercises and memorization cards, as well as take class surveys, go to the drawing or DSi Camera board, as well as collect and delete photos taken with the Nintendo DSi Camera. Tests, exercises and memorization cards allows a teacher to change the questions and time limit, as well as shuffle the questions around for each student during exercises and memorization cards. Furthermore, they can make use of a large selection of learning materials that come with the software, or create and modify materials with the use of spreadsheet software, such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Excel Microsoft Excel]. At the end of a task or test, student results are shown and saved with detailed graphs<ref name="functions"/>.
  
 +
This PC software was developed both for Windows and various Linux distributions, including [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubuntu Ubuntu]. As of writing, the software hasn't resurfaced.
 +
<div style="clear: both;"/>
  
 +
===Console Software===
 +
[[File:Syssettingsv1.4J_kst.png|thumb|The System Settings with a unique version number exclusive to Nintendo DS Classroom units.]]
 +
The software bundled on every classroom Nintendo DSi LL is different compared to a retail unit.
 +
*The System Settings displays a unique version number of '''v1.4_kst''', with "kst" possibly being a shortened variation of "kyoshitsu" (キョウシツ), which translates to "classroom". This system software version was used throughout the program's lifespan.
 +
*The Nintendo DSi Shop and Nintendo Zone are not installed. Because of this, Data Management isn't accessible from the System Settings.
 +
*A different lineup of DSiWare is pre-installed.
  
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto;"
 +
!rowspan="2" | Icon
 +
!colspan="2" | Name
 +
!colspan="2" | Title ID<br>(00030004)
 +
!rowspan="2" | Version
 +
!rowspan="2" | Pre-installed On<br>Retail Consoles
 +
|-
 +
!Japanese
 +
!English
 +
!Hex
 +
!Text
 +
|-
 +
|[[File:Icon-NintendoDSClassroom.gif|64px]]
 +
|<center>ニンテンドーDSきょうしつ<br>Nintendo</center>
 +
|<center>Nintendo DS Classroom<br>Nintendo</center>
 +
|4b50454a
 +
|KPEJ
 +
|0
 +
|No
 +
|-
 +
|[[File:Icon-Rakubiki_Red.gif|64px]]
 +
|<center>めいきょうこくご<br>らくびきじてん<br>Nintendo</center>
 +
|<center>Meikyo Kokugo<br>Rakubiki Jiten<br>Nintendo</center>
 +
|4b44344a
 +
|KD4J
 +
|1
 +
|Yes
 +
|-
 +
|[[File:Icon-Rakubiki_Blue.gif|64px]]
 +
|<center>ジーニアスパーソナル<br>えいわ　らくびきじてん<br>Nintendo</center>
 +
|<center>Personal Genius<br>Eiwa Rakubiki Jiten<br>Nintendo</center>
 +
|4b44334a
 +
|KD3J
 +
|0
 +
|No
 +
|-
 +
|[[File:Icon-Rakubiki_Green.gif|64px]]
 +
|<center>ジーニアスパーソナル<br>わえい　らくびきじてん<br>Nintendo</center>
 +
|<center>Personal Genius<br>Waei Rakubiki Jiten<br>Nintendo</center>
 +
|4b44354a
 +
|KD5J
 +
|0
 +
|No
 +
|-
 +
|[[File:Icon-NintendoDSiBrowser.gif|64px]]
 +
|<center>ニンテンドーDSiブラウザー<br>Nintendo</center>
 +
|<center>Nintendo DSi Browser<br>Nintendo</center>
 +
|484e474a
 +
|HNGJ
 +
|3
 +
|Yes
 +
|-
 +
|[[File:Icon-FlipnoteStudio.gif|64px]]
 +
|<center>うごくメモちょう<br>Nintendo</center>
 +
|<center>Flipnote Studio<br>Nintendo</center>
 +
|4b47554a
 +
|KGUJ
 +
|2
 +
|Yes
 +
|}
  
−
==General differences==
+
Note that Flipnote Studio had several revisions in Japan. Classroom units come with version 2.1 pre-installed.
−
Besides the system menu version, there are differences on the system menu as well.
 
  
−
*The unit has a sticker on the back giving instructions to the Nintendo DS Classroom application.
+
==Testing Applications==
−
*The Nintendo DSi Shop is not present, preventing students from buying DSiWare.
+
TODO:
−
*The internal NAND comes bundled with the software selected by the school, as well as the Nintendo DSi Browser, Flipnote Studio v2.1 and the Nintendo DS Classroom application.
+
:''Soon''.
−
*The “Data Management” option is gone from the System Settings, preventing students from copying application data to their SD Cards.
 
  
−
[[File:Dsillclassroominstructions.jpg|thumb|Image of the unit, with instructions on the back. Only "DSi LL" units were made.]]
+
==Development==
−
[[File:Syssettingsv1.4J kst.png|thumb|left|The system menu version is '''v1.4J_kst''', instead of v1.4J.]]
+
[[File:NintendoDSi-Classroom_Figure1.jpg|thumb|A simple figurine detailing how the system works<ref name="press"/>.]]
 +
Development started somewhere around 2007 with the project lead by Takao Sawano, challenging himself to make use of open source software. Seeing how many schools were using the Nintendo DS, Sawano's goal was to see how many Nintendo DSs could connect wirelessly to cheap laptops. Sometime later, Sharp System Products was offered to help with the development of applications.<ref>[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/interview/kg3j/vol1/index3.html Touch de Oboeru Hyakuninisshu: Chotto DSi Shiguredono (Nintendo)] [https://web.archive.org/web/20101120030211/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/interview/kg3j/vol1/index3.html (Archive)]</ref>
  
 +
The program was announced in a press release by Nintendo on June 9th, 2009 alongside the announcement of a partnership with Sharp System Products. At this point, Nintendo planned to offer educational software for all Nintendo DS systems, with Sharp being responsible for developing software and sales. Software would be released individually as cartridges, with 30 titles planned for elementary schools, 20 titles for junior high schools and 10 for high schools with an estimated release date of February 2010. The program was showcased at the ''New Education Expo 2009'' in Osaka from June 17th to June 18th and ''e-Learning WORLD'' in Tokyo from August 5th to August 7th<ref name="press">[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/corporate/release/2009/090609.html 授業支援システム『ニンテンドーDS教室』について (Nintendo)] [https://web.archive.org/web/20090614234945/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/corporate/release/2009/090609.html (Archive)]</ref>.
  
 +
On August 5th, 2009, Sharp put out an update announcing that the program switched to only make use of the Nintendo DSi. Reasons for the switch include that the Nintendo DSi could be more easily customized, software could be stored internally, the DSi Camera could be used for certain activities, communication over the internet is easier, and the DSi has a larger screen compared to the Nintendo DS or Nintendo DS Lite <ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120510231843/http://www.sharp-ssp.co.jp/corporate/news/n090805.html 授業支援システム『ニンテンドーDS教室』の 仕様変更についてのお知らせ (Sharp System Products) (Archived)]</ref>.
  
 +
Sometime before the program was rolled out, the program was changed to make use of the Nintendo DSi LL, which was released a few months prior. Regular Nintendo DSi development units were used very late during testing, as apparent by development kits that showed up on Yahoo! Auctions in 2023, identified as units '''K04''' to '''K08'''<ref group="K">[https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/k1093738420 (K04) Yahoo! Auctions] [https://archive.ph/haAaL (Archive)]</ref><ref group="K">[https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/o1095340951 (K05) Yahoo! Auctions] [https://archive.ph/AEEQu (Archive)]</ref><ref group="K">[https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/w1094656443 (K06) Yahoo! Auctions] [https://archive.ph/oSEEv (Archive)]</ref><ref group="K">[https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/g1093013416 (K07) Yahoo! Auctions] [https://archive.ph/PyD4y (Archive)]</ref><ref group="K">[https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/x1093733075 (K08) Yahoo! Auctions] [https://archive.ph/fbYtU (Archive)]</ref>.
  
 +
==Gallery==
 +
===EDIX 2012===
 +
The program was shown at the Educational IT Solution Expo (教育ITソリューションEXPO) in 2012 at Sharp's booth, demonstrating Nintendo's offers for educational software, and showcasing that Nintendo DS Classroom could run on cheap, inexpensive computer hardware<ref>[https://resemom.jp/article/2012/05/21/7785.html 【EDIX】シャープの「ニンテンドーDS教室」、学生がすぐに利用できる操作性に着目] [https://web.archive.org/web/20121115150836/http://resemom.jp/article/2012/05/21/7785.html (Archive)]</ref>.
  
 +
<gallery widths="320" heights="212">
 +
File:NintendoDSi-Classroom_EDIX2012-1.jpg|A complete booth view. Note that this laptop is running Ubuntu.
 +
File:NintendoDSi-Classroom_EDIX2012-2.jpg|A closeup on the Nintendo DS Classroom units.
 +
</gallery>
  
 +
===Sharp Website===
 +
<gallery widths="128" heights="192" perrow="5">
 +
NintendoDS-Classroom_ScrSharp1.png|A survey/questionnaire.
 +
NintendoDS-Classroom_ScrSharp2.png|A list of exercises.
 +
NintendoDS-Classroom_ScrSharp3.png|A memorization card.
 +
NintendoDS-Classroom_ScrSharp4.png|A drawing with a question on the top screen.
 +
NintendoDS-Classroom_ScrSharp5.png|A DSi Camera picture that has been painted over.
 +
NintendoDS-Classroom_ScrSharp6.png|An exercise with kanji.
 +
NintendoDS-Classroom_ScrSharp8.png|A math question.
 +
NintendoDS-Classroom_ScrSharp9.png|A question with a list of possible answers.
 +
NintendoDS-Classroom_ScrSharp10.png|A memorization card.
 +
</gallery>
  
 +
<gallery widths="240" heights="200">
 +
NintendoDSi-Classroom_TaskResults.jpg|Detailed task results.
 +
NintendoDSi-Classroom_FigSharp1.jpg|Survey results.
 +
NintendoDSi-Classroom_FigSharp2.jpg|Spreadsheet software, which can be used to create/edit existing tasks.
 +
NintendoDSi-Classroom_FigSharp3.png|Drawing board submissions.
 +
</gallery>
  
 +
===2009 Press Release (Prerelease)===
 +
These materials were shared in the official press release, and does not reflect what the final version of the application looks like.
  
 +
Sourced from Nintendo<ref name="press"/>, ITMedia<ref>[https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/games/articles/0906/09/news109.html 任天堂、授業支援システム「ニンテンドーDS教室」を開発 (ITMedia)][https://web.archive.org/web/20210922163411/https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/games/articles/0906/09/news109.html (Archive)]</ref> and GamingTalker<ref>[https://www.gamingtalker.it/articoli/100270/cosera-nintendo-ds-classroom/ Cos'era Nintendo DS Classroom (GamingTalker)] [https://web.archive.org/web/20220802103908/https://www.gamingtalker.it/articoli/100270/cosera-nintendo-ds-classroom/ (Archive)]</ref>.
  
 +
<gallery widths="128" heights="192">
 +
File:NintendoDSi-Classroom_Screenshot1.gif|A math question with a list of possible answers.
 +
File:NintendoDSi-Classroom_Screenshot2.gif|A story where you have to answer by drawing kanji.
 +
File:NintendoDSi-Classroom_Screenshot3.gif|A memorization card.
 +
File:NintendoDSi-Classroom_Screenshot4.jpg|A survey / questionnaire.
 +
File:NintendoDSi-Classroom_Screenshot5.jpg|A drawing, ready to be submitted to the drawing board.
 +
</gallery>
  
 +
<gallery widths="200" heights="200">
 +
File:NintendoDSi-Classroom_Figure2.jpg|Test results.
 +
File:NintendoDSi-Classroom_Figure3.jpg|Survey results from individual students.
 +
File:NintendoDSi-Classroom_Figure4.jpg|Survey results in a diagram.
 +
File:NintendoDSi-Classroom_Figure5.jpg|Drawing board submissions.
 +
File:NintendoDSi-Classroom_Figure6.jpg|An example of a teacher creating custom work exercises.
 +
</gallery>
  
−
==List of applications==
+
==Links==
−
With Sharp System Products offering 60 applications, there's only 3/60 of applications found at the moment.
+
===References===
−
 
+
<references/>
−
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%;"
+
Yahoo! Auction listings:
−
|-
+
<references group="K"/>
−
! style="width:5%;" |Icon
 
−
! style="width:20%;" |Title
 
−
! style="width:7%;" |Genre
 
−
! style="width:7%;" |Type of school
 
−
! style="width:10%;" |Title ID
 
−
! style="width:35%;" |Description
 
−
! style="width:35%;" |Notes
 
−
|-
 
−
 
 
−
|[[File:Nintendo_ds_kyoushitsu_2x.gif|center|frameless]]
 
−
|'''ニンテンドーDSきょうしつ'''
 
−
Nintendo DS kyōshitsu
 
−
|Multiple
 
−
|n/a
 
−
|000300044b50454a
 
−
|The Nintendo DS Classroom application.
 
−
|See page.
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[File:Genius_personal_waei_rakubiki_jiten_2x.gif|center|frameless]]
 
−
|'''ジーニアスパーソナル わえい　らくびきじてん'''
 
−
Jīniasupāsonaru waei raku-biki jiten
 
−
|Language
 
−
|Junior High
 
−
|000300044b44354a
 
−
|A Japanese dictionary showing explanations in English.
 
−
|Application was available on the Nintendo DS in the form of "'''Rakubiki Jiten DS'''".
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[File:Genius_personal_eiwa_rakubiki_jiten_2x.gif|center|frameless]]
 
−
|'''ジーニアスパーソナル えいわ　らくびきじてん'''
 
−
Jīniasupāsonaru eiwa raku-biki jiten
 
−
|Language
 
−
|Junior High
 
−
|000300044b44334a
 
−
|A Japanese and English dictionary, being able to show sentences as well. This applications is in some conditions similar to '''Dictionary 6 in 1 with Camera Function'''.
 
−
|Application was available on the Nintendo DS in the form of "'''Rakubiki Jiten DS'''".
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[File:Meikyou_kokugo_rakubiki_jiten_2x.gif|center|frameless]]
 
−
|'''めいきょうこくご らくびきじてん'''
 
−
Mei kyō koku go raku-biki jiten
 
−
|Language
 
−
|Junior High
 
−
|000300044b44344a
 
−
|An application for showing abbreviations and the meanings of them. Most of these consist of English abbreviations.
 
−
|Application was available on the Nintendo DS in the form of "'''Rakubiki Jiten DS'''", also came bundled on every regular DSi LL.
 
−
|}
 
−
 
 
−
==Development Units==
 
−
Around June 2023, multiple listings<ref group="D">[https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/k1093738420 <nowiki>[K04] https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/k1093738420</nowiki>]</ref><ref group="D">[https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/o1095340951 <nowiki>[K05] https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/o1095340951</nowiki>]</ref><ref group="D">[https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/w1094656443 <nowiki>[K06] https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/w1094656443</nowiki>]</ref><ref group="D">[https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/g1093013416 <nowiki>[K07] https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/g1093013416</nowiki>]</ref><ref group="D">[https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/x1093733075 <nowiki>[K08] https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/x1093733075</nowiki>]</ref> surfaced on Yahoo! Japan Auctions of development DSi's (non-LL). They had the classroom sticker on the back, as well as [[NandFiler]], the '''ニンテンドーDSきょうしつ''' application, and some other applications that seem to be for testing the DSi hardware. Currently 5 units have been seen online, identified by the back stickers as being units K04 through to K08. <gallery>
 
−
File:front-back.jpg|Front of the unit
 
−
File:back.jpg|Back of the unit, with the DSi Classroom sticker. The other units listed on YAJ had the same sticker but a different number (e.g. "K04", "K08")
 
−
File:open.jpg|Applications present on the unit
 
−
</gallery>In September 2023, a Reddit user posted the following<ref>https://old.reddit.com/r/nds/comments/166jgp4/nintendo_dsi_development_unit_nand_dump/</ref>, with an image of the unit:
 
−
 
 
−
''I am the previous owner. The only thing I know is that this console is in development mode, not in kiosk mode, the version is 1.3j and there are 4 icons on the console (like games). Of these, I found these icons the most interesting. 1 of the icons is for controlling the camera, different focus functions, etc. on one application it is full of one codes I don't even know what. It's hard to say what it is. Everything is software.''
 
−
 
 
−
The Reddit post (now deleted) also mentioned that a buyer had dumped the NAND and would be releasing it on Instagram under the name of [https://www.instagram.com/collection_nintendo/ collection_nintendo]. No dump was released after this, so [[User:Rmc|Rmc]] privately reached out to Instagram account. ''collection_nintendo'' responded with proof of owning the unit, though no dump was made public.
 
−
 
 
−
==References==
 
−
[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/interview/kg3j/vol1/index3.html "Iwata Asks", talking about the Nintendo DS Classroom application]
 
−
 
 
−
[https://markezine.jp/article/detail/7516 Images from the DS Classroom at the New Education Expo 2009]
 
  
−
[https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/280850.html More Nintendo DS Classroom images]
+
===Additional Resources===
−
<references />Yahoo! Japan Auctions listings of development versions
+
*[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/stock/meeting/110629qa/index.html The 71st Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (Nintendo)] [https://web.archive.org/web/20110710015225/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/stock/meeting/110629qa/index.html (Archive)]
−
<references group="D" />
+
*[http://yasuhiro.cocolog-nifty.com/masui/2010/06/post-ae11.html ニンテンドーＤＳ教室を使ってみた (Cocolog)] [http://web.archive.org/web/20160107090734/http://yasuhiro.cocolog-nifty.com/masui/2010/06/post-ae11.html (Archive)]
 +
*[https://www.jamsworks.com/works.html Produce (Jamworks)] [https://web.archive.org/web/20190912034709/https://www.jamsworks.com/works.html (Archive)]
 +
*[https://randommeaninglesscharacters.com/dsidev/release/dev-nands.html Classroom DSi development units (rmc)] [https://web.archive.org/web/2/https://randommeaninglesscharacters.com/dsidev/release/dev-nands.html (Archive)]

Latest revision as of 02:08, 24 September 2023

NintendoDSi-Classroom Logo.jpg

Nintendo DS Classroom (ニンテンドーDS教室) is an educational system jointly developed by Nintendo and Sharp System Products, utilizing the Nintendo DSi LL (known as the Nintendo DSi XL internationally) for students to use as a learning device during class. The program was available exclusively in Japan and rolled out between January and April 2010.

Overview

Contents

The box for a Nintendo DS Classroom unit[1].

Nintendo DS Classroom units are shipped in white boxes, illustrating the Nintendo DSi LL with the Nintendo DS Classroom's logo. Inside the box is the unit itself with a white/grey color scheme, a thick plastic pen and a power supply. On the back of the unit is a giant sticker with legal information.

The PC software likely would've been distributed digitally.

Nintendo DS Software

A question where you get to pick answers from a list[2].

The primary application for getting work exercises done is through the Nintendo DS Classroom application (ニンテンドーDSきょうしつ). The application uses a modified version of Nintendo Zone and relies on a PC with the DS Classroom software that is connected over the same network. 50 consoles can be connected to one network simultaneously. Once connected, a student can follow several different courses or tests set up by their teacher.

On a Nintendo DSi, a student can partake in live tests or surveys that are set up by their teacher. Additionally, they can send drawings or photos through a drawing or DSi Camera board and have these display on a teacher's PC. Students can also work individually through preset tasks and create their own memorization cards. Once a Nintendo DSi unit is disconnected, all data sent during that session is lost and saved to the teacher's PC[3].

PC Software

The PC software's dashboard[4].

On PC, a teacher has access to a dashboard where they can start tests, exercises and memorization cards, as well as take class surveys, go to the drawing or DSi Camera board, as well as collect and delete photos taken with the Nintendo DSi Camera. Tests, exercises and memorization cards allows a teacher to change the questions and time limit, as well as shuffle the questions around for each student during exercises and memorization cards. Furthermore, they can make use of a large selection of learning materials that come with the software, or create and modify materials with the use of spreadsheet software, such as Microsoft Excel. At the end of a task or test, student results are shown and saved with detailed graphs[3].

This PC software was developed both for Windows and various Linux distributions, including Ubuntu. As of writing, the software hasn't resurfaced.

Console Software

The System Settings with a unique version number exclusive to Nintendo DS Classroom units.

The software bundled on every classroom Nintendo DSi LL is different compared to a retail unit.

  • The System Settings displays a unique version number of v1.4_kst, with "kst" possibly being a shortened variation of "kyoshitsu" (キョウシツ), which translates to "classroom". This system software version was used throughout the program's lifespan.
  • The Nintendo DSi Shop and Nintendo Zone are not installed. Because of this, Data Management isn't accessible from the System Settings.
  • A different lineup of DSiWare is pre-installed.
Icon Name Title ID
(00030004) 		Version Pre-installed On
Retail Consoles
Japanese English Hex Text
Icon-NintendoDSClassroom.gif
ニンテンドーDSきょうしつ
Nintendo
Nintendo DS Classroom
Nintendo
 4b50454a KPEJ 0 No
Icon-Rakubiki Red.gif
めいきょうこくご
らくびきじてん
Nintendo
Meikyo Kokugo
Rakubiki Jiten
Nintendo
 4b44344a KD4J 1 Yes
Icon-Rakubiki Blue.gif
ジーニアスパーソナル
えいわ　らくびきじてん
Nintendo
Personal Genius
Eiwa Rakubiki Jiten
Nintendo
 4b44334a KD3J 0 No
Icon-Rakubiki Green.gif
ジーニアスパーソナル
わえい　らくびきじてん
Nintendo
Personal Genius
Waei Rakubiki Jiten
Nintendo
 4b44354a KD5J 0 No
Icon-NintendoDSiBrowser.gif
ニンテンドーDSiブラウザー
Nintendo
Nintendo DSi Browser
Nintendo
 484e474a HNGJ 3 Yes
Icon-FlipnoteStudio.gif
うごくメモちょう
Nintendo
Flipnote Studio
Nintendo
 4b47554a KGUJ 2 Yes

Note that Flipnote Studio had several revisions in Japan. Classroom units come with version 2.1 pre-installed.

Testing Applications

TODO:

Soon.

Development

A simple figurine detailing how the system works[5].

Development started somewhere around 2007 with the project lead by Takao Sawano, challenging himself to make use of open source software. Seeing how many schools were using the Nintendo DS, Sawano's goal was to see how many Nintendo DSs could connect wirelessly to cheap laptops. Sometime later, Sharp System Products was offered to help with the development of applications.[6]

The program was announced in a press release by Nintendo on June 9th, 2009 alongside the announcement of a partnership with Sharp System Products. At this point, Nintendo planned to offer educational software for all Nintendo DS systems, with Sharp being responsible for developing software and sales. Software would be released individually as cartridges, with 30 titles planned for elementary schools, 20 titles for junior high schools and 10 for high schools with an estimated release date of February 2010. The program was showcased at the New Education Expo 2009 in Osaka from June 17th to June 18th and e-Learning WORLD in Tokyo from August 5th to August 7th[5].

On August 5th, 2009, Sharp put out an update announcing that the program switched to only make use of the Nintendo DSi. Reasons for the switch include that the Nintendo DSi could be more easily customized, software could be stored internally, the DSi Camera could be used for certain activities, communication over the internet is easier, and the DSi has a larger screen compared to the Nintendo DS or Nintendo DS Lite [7].

Sometime before the program was rolled out, the program was changed to make use of the Nintendo DSi LL, which was released a few months prior. Regular Nintendo DSi development units were used very late during testing, as apparent by development kits that showed up on Yahoo! Auctions in 2023, identified as units K04 to K08[K 1][K 2][K 3][K 4][K 5].

Gallery

EDIX 2012

The program was shown at the Educational IT Solution Expo (教育ITソリューションEXPO) in 2012 at Sharp's booth, demonstrating Nintendo's offers for educational software, and showcasing that Nintendo DS Classroom could run on cheap, inexpensive computer hardware[8].

  • A complete booth view. Note that this laptop is running Ubuntu.

  • A closeup on the Nintendo DS Classroom units.

Sharp Website

  • A survey/questionnaire.

  • A list of exercises.

  • A memorization card.

  • A drawing with a question on the top screen.

  • A DSi Camera picture that has been painted over.

  • An exercise with kanji.

  • A math question.

  • A question with a list of possible answers.

  • A memorization card.

  • Detailed task results.

  • Survey results.

  • Spreadsheet software, which can be used to create/edit existing tasks.

  • Drawing board submissions.

2009 Press Release (Prerelease)

These materials were shared in the official press release, and does not reflect what the final version of the application looks like.

Sourced from Nintendo[5], ITMedia[9] and GamingTalker[10].

  • A math question with a list of possible answers.

  • A story where you have to answer by drawing kanji.

  • A memorization card.

  • A survey / questionnaire.

  • A drawing, ready to be submitted to the drawing board.

  • Test results.

  • Survey results from individual students.

  • Survey results in a diagram.

  • Drawing board submissions.

  • An example of a teacher creating custom work exercises.

Links

References

  1. ↑ Nintendo DSi LL Classroom Unit (Consolevariations) (Archive)
  2. ↑ 対応教材 (Sharp System Products) (Archived)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 機能紹介 (Sharp System Products) (Archived)
  4. ↑ 活用方法 (Sharp System Products) (Archived)
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 授業支援システム『ニンテンドーDS教室』について (Nintendo) (Archive)
  6. ↑ Touch de Oboeru Hyakuninisshu: Chotto DSi Shiguredono (Nintendo) (Archive)
  7. ↑ 授業支援システム『ニンテンドーDS教室』の 仕様変更についてのお知らせ (Sharp System Products) (Archived)
  8. ↑ 【EDIX】シャープの「ニンテンドーDS教室」、学生がすぐに利用できる操作性に着目 (Archive)
  9. ↑ 任天堂、授業支援システム「ニンテンドーDS教室」を開発 (ITMedia)(Archive)
  10. ↑ Cos'era Nintendo DS Classroom (GamingTalker) (Archive)

Yahoo! Auction listings:

  1. ↑ (K04) Yahoo! Auctions (Archive)
  2. ↑ (K05) Yahoo! Auctions (Archive)
  3. ↑ (K06) Yahoo! Auctions (Archive)
  4. ↑ (K07) Yahoo! Auctions (Archive)
  5. ↑ (K08) Yahoo! Auctions (Archive)

Additional Resources

Retrieved from "https://wiki.raregamingdump.ca/index.php?title=Nintendo_DS_Classroom&oldid=4940"