Difference between revisions of "Nintendo DS Classroom"

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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.
+
TODO:
 +
*The DS Classroom application was listed on a Nintendo DS Master List of sorts.
 +
*Images.
 +
*Gallery.
 +
*''Kyoshitsu Argumented Reality Test''.
  
=="DS in the Classroom"==
+
'''Nintendo DS Classroom''' is an educational system 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.
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.
 
[[File:NDS-classroom.png|thumb|A diagram of how the system would work.]]
 
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.
 
  
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.
+
==Overview==
 +
===Nintendo DS Software===
 +
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. Once connected, a student can follow several different courses or tests set up by their teacher.
  
==Nintendo DS Classroom application==
+
On a Nintendo DSi, a student can partake in live tasks and tests that are set up by their teacher. Different kinds of questions can be asked, such as yes/no surveys using '''O''', '''X''' and '''?''' symbols, or picking answers from a list. Additionally, they can send drawings through a drawing 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 the Nintendo DSi is disconnected, all data is lost<ref name="functions">[https://web.archive.org/web/20100428091854/http://www.sharp-ssp.co.jp/ds/function.html 機能紹介 (Sharp) (Archived)]</ref>.
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:Classroomquestions1.png|thumb|left|200px|A "yes" or "no" quiz using a circle and a cross.]]
 
[[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 PC, a teacher can make use a large selection of materials provided by the software. Additionally, they can 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"/>.
A NAND dump was made by Nintendo devkit collector '''Voodooween''' around May 2019. An image of the unit was included.
 
  
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===
 +
PC software was developed both for Windows and various Linux distributions, including [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubuntu Ubuntu]. The software hasn't been released online as of writing.
  
 +
===Console Software Differences===
 +
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
==General differences==
+
!colspan="2" | Name
Besides the system menu version, there are differences on the system menu as well.
+
!rowspan="2" | Title ID
 
+
!rowspan="2" | Version
*The unit has a sticker on the back giving instructions to the Nintendo DS Classroom application.
+
!rowspan="2" | Pre-installed On<br>Retail Consoles
*The Nintendo DSi Shop is not present, preventing students from buying DSiWare.
+
|-
*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.
+
!Japanese
*The “Data Management” option is gone from the System Settings, preventing students from copying application data to their SD Cards.
+
!English
 
+
|-
[[File:Dsillclassroominstructions.jpg|thumb|Image of the unit, with instructions on the back. Only "DSi LL" units were made.]]
+
|
[[File:Syssettingsv1.4J kst.png|thumb|left|The system menu version is '''v1.4J_kst''', instead of v1.4J.]]
+
|<center>ニンテンドーDSきょうしつ<br>Nintendo</center>
 
+
|<center>Nintendo DS Classroom<br>Nintendo</center>
 
+
|00030004 4b50454a
 
+
|0
 
+
|No
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
==List of applications==
 
With Sharp System Products offering 60 applications, there's only 3/60 of applications found at the moment.
 
 
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%;"
 
 
|-
 
|-
! style="width:5%;" |Icon
+
|
! style="width:20%;" |Title
+
|<center>めいきょうこくご<br>らくびきじてん<br>Nintendo</center>
! style="width:7%;" |Genre
+
|<center>Meikyo Kokugo<br>Rakubiki Jiten<br>Nintendo</center>
! style="width:7%;" |Type of school
+
|00030004 4b44344a
! style="width:10%;" |Title ID
+
|1
! style="width:35%;" |Description
+
|Yes
! style="width:35%;" |Notes
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
+
|
|[[File:Nintendo_ds_kyoushitsu_2x.gif|center|frameless]]
+
|<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>
|'''ニンテンドーDSきょうしつ'''
+
|<center>Personal Genius<br>Eiwa Rakubiki Jiten<br>Nintendo</center>
Nintendo DS kyōshitsu
+
|00030004 4b44334a
|Multiple
+
|0
|n/a
+
|No
|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'''
+
|<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>
Jīniasupāsonaru waei raku-biki jiten
+
|<center>Personal Genius<br>Waei Rakubiki Jiten<br>Nintendo</center>
|Language
+
|00030004 4b44354a
|Junior High
+
|0
|000300044b44354a
+
|No
|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'''
+
|<center>ニンテンドーDSiブラウザー<br>Nintendo</center>
Jīniasupāsonaru eiwa raku-biki jiten
+
|<center>Nintendo DSi Browser<br>Nintendo</center>
|Language
+
|00030004 484e474a
|Junior High
+
|3
|000300044b44334a
+
|Yes
|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'''
+
|<center>うごくメモちょう<br>Nintendo</center>
Mei kyō koku go raku-biki jiten
+
|<center>Flipnote Studio<br>Nintendo</center>
|Language
+
|00030004 4b47554a
|Junior High
+
|2
|000300044b44344a
+
|Yes
|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==
+
Note that Flipnote Studio had several revisions in Japan. Classroom units come with version 2.1 pre-installed.
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
+
==Development==
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")
+
Development started somewhere around 2007, with the project lead by Takao Sawano with as goal to make use of open source software. Seeing how many schools were using the Nintendo DS in schools, the 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>
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:
+
The system 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 selling the program. Software would be released individually as cartridges, with 30 titles planned for elementary school, 20 titles for junior high school and 10 for high school 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>[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 to the press announcing that the program switched to only use the Nintendo DSi. Reasons for the switch include that the Nintendo DSi could be more easily customized, software could be stored on the console itself, 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 SSP) (Archived)]</ref>.
 +
 
 +
Sometime before the program was rolled out, the system 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="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>.
  
''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.''
+
==Gallery==
  
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.
+
==Additional Resources==
 +
*[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==
 
==References==
[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/interview/kg3j/vol1/index3.html "Iwata Asks", talking about the Nintendo DS Classroom application]
+
<references/>
 +
Yahoo! Auction listings:
 +
<references group="D"/>
  
[https://markezine.jp/article/detail/7516 Images from the DS Classroom at the New Education Expo 2009]
+
list of sources:
  
[https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/280850.html More Nintendo DS Classroom images]
+
http://yasuhiro.cocolog-nifty.com/masui/2010/06/post-ae11.html
<references />Yahoo! Japan Auctions listings of development versions
+
https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/games/articles/0906/09/news109.html
<references group="D" />
+
https://resemom.jp/article/2012/05/21/7785.html
 +
https://web.archive.org/web/20100427221957/http://www.sharp-ssp.co.jp/ds/index.html

Revision as of 16:02, 3 September 2023

TODO:

  • The DS Classroom application was listed on a Nintendo DS Master List of sorts.
  • Images.
  • Gallery.
  • Kyoshitsu Argumented Reality Test.

Nintendo DS Classroom is an educational system 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

Nintendo DS Software

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. 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 tasks and tests that are set up by their teacher. Different kinds of questions can be asked, such as yes/no surveys using O, X and ? symbols, or picking answers from a list. Additionally, they can send drawings through a drawing 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 the Nintendo DSi is disconnected, all data is lost[1].

On a PC, a teacher can make use a large selection of materials provided by the software. Additionally, they can 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 [1].

PC Software

PC software was developed both for Windows and various Linux distributions, including Ubuntu. The software hasn't been released online as of writing.

Console Software Differences

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 Version Pre-installed On
Retail Consoles
Japanese English
ニンテンドーDSきょうしつ
Nintendo
Nintendo DS Classroom
Nintendo
00030004 4b50454a 0 No
めいきょうこくご
らくびきじてん
Nintendo
Meikyo Kokugo
Rakubiki Jiten
Nintendo
00030004 4b44344a 1 Yes
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
00030004 4b44334a 0 No
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
00030004 4b44354a 0 No
ニンテンドーDSiブラウザー
Nintendo
Nintendo DSi Browser
Nintendo
00030004 484e474a 3 Yes
うごくメモちょう
Nintendo
Flipnote Studio
Nintendo
00030004 4b47554a 2 Yes

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

Development

Development started somewhere around 2007, with the project lead by Takao Sawano with as goal to make use of open source software. Seeing how many schools were using the Nintendo DS in schools, the 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.[2]

The system 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 selling the program. Software would be released individually as cartridges, with 30 titles planned for elementary school, 20 titles for junior high school and 10 for high school 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[3].

On August 5th, 2009, Sharp put out an update to the press announcing that the program switched to only use the Nintendo DSi. Reasons for the switch include that the Nintendo DSi could be more easily customized, software could be stored on the console itself, 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 [4].

Sometime before the program was rolled out, the system 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[D 1][D 2][D 3][D 4][D 5].

Gallery

Additional Resources

References

Yahoo! Auction listings:

list of sources:

http://yasuhiro.cocolog-nifty.com/masui/2010/06/post-ae11.html https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/games/articles/0906/09/news109.html https://resemom.jp/article/2012/05/21/7785.html https://web.archive.org/web/20100427221957/http://www.sharp-ssp.co.jp/ds/index.html