Ever since I got my SMART board about 4 years ago I have been using simulations as an integral part of my teaching. I only realised how dependent I had become when an oil spill caused my classroom to be closed and I had to teach for a month in a room with no board. It was not a pleasant experience, I first tried to use a chalkboard with a projector to the side but this was very clumsy. Eventually I abandoned the animations...