General Information
Java is an object oriented programming
language developed by Sun Microsystems.
Java, like HTML, is cross platform working on Windows, Macintosh, or UNIX
machines. Applets are Java programs that allow users to interact
with an activity on a web page, without having to download or install further
programs. They run with the aid of an Applet viewer or web browser.
Java applets also give anyone who constructs a World Wide Web page the
ability to embed programs into their pages. These applets or programs
are stored remotely on someone else’s server and are downloaded automatically
when the link is clicked upon. An advantage to Java is having these
programs stored on a remote server because the files will not be read or
written onto the host server.
A free version of the Java
Developers Kit may be downloaded, but it lacks some of the options
provided by other program packages.
Educational Use
There are thousands of Java applets
available on-line with more being produced every day. These applets
may be used for various applications such as animations, simulations, sound,
and remote instrumentation, as well as data collection and manipulation.
By performing a ‘yahoo’ search using "Java applets" as the key phrase with
the addition of a particular discipline area, a myriad of applets are listed.
These applets are useful to any level of teaching from preschool to graduate.
System Requirements
The hardware requirements are
not specifically stated. To use Java with a web browser, you can
use Netscape 3.0 or later or Internet Explorer 3.03 or later. Sun
Sales and Support Information can provide the most current information
regarding hardware and software requirements for the latest versions of
their software.
On-line Resources
Information
on Java Technology
Developer’s Reference
Java
Development Kit
Graphic Library offering applets
Source
for Java TechnologyApplet
site
Macromedia Shockwave
General Information
Macromedia Shockwave is a free animation and entertainment ‘plugin’ developed and distributed by Macromedia. This plugin allows a variety of actions to be performed on the web such as games, animations, interactive demonstrations, audio streaming, and instructional and educational presentations. Shockwave is typically what makes some frequently visited sites interesting. It provides users with the ability to create technical illustrations, maps, and cartoons on the web.
The shockwave plugin plays files that have been developed using one of three Macromedia tools: Flash, Director, or Authorware. The use of these tools will allow for the creation of different types of effects.
Flash:
used to stream animations with sound from interactive websites
Director: used
to stream interactive events (product demonstrations or animated games)
Authorware: used to create streaming
interactive sites (educational coursework or CD’s that directly
connect to the web for information updates)
Cost
All of the authoring tools are
available for download at the Macromedia
site. If you choose to purchase these tools, they can be rather
pricey running anywhere between $300 and $1000.
Educational Use
Shockwave appears to be technical for use with student web pages within my fifth grade class. It’s capabilties surpass what my students will be able to utilize in their projects. Shockwave, however, can be utilized to work with animation and sound quality in creating educational presenations.
Shockwave can increase the usefulness
and usability for some sites by allowing for the streaming of information.
This could allow for sound and animation files to load quickly while the
remaining information is loading. Waiting a long time for a site to load
does not make it user friendly for my class. By eliminating some
of the loading time, I can keep my student’s attention and use a greater
number of sites.
System Requirements
This plugin is cross platform
and compatible with Netscape, Microsoft Explorer, and AOL browsers.