Activity 3B
C&I 335
Summer, 1998
Janeen McCarthy
Ridgely Elementary School
Springfield, Illinois
 
The following are summaries of three emerging technologies that I think would be interesting and fun to try with my Kindergarten class.
HyperStudio

HyperStudio is a multimedia software tool that will enable students to create projects by expressing their ideas using a variety of text, images, graphics, audio and video components. It will also help them link some of these medias together to come up with an outcome that is significantly different from that of the ordinary means. The software is student-centered, the language is non-technical - keeping things simple to help the student learn.

We know that students learn by doing, and this approach motivates students to create meaning using multimedia tools. Multimedia software is improving rapidly, and with the explosion of the Internet, the way we read and gather information is changing. Text books, paper and pencil no longer prepare students for their future.

Roger Wagner Publishing Inc., is the company that is responsible for HyperStudio and "has been providing software that emphasizes technology as a personal creative tool for many years. The company is committed to supporting teachers with a vision of how the meaningful and appropriate use of technology can foster a more individual and humanistic learning environment."

For more information on HyperStudio hardware and software the URL is http://www.hyperstudio.com/. HyperStudio hardware and software can be purchased through Learning Services <http://www.learnserv.com>. The price for HyperStudio 10 pack (WIN or MAC) $795. This includes: 10 CDs, 2 sets of application disks, 1 set of manuals, and 1 Administration Binder. HyperStudio Level1 Extensions (1CD) is $39, and the HyperStudio Level 2 Extensions (1CD) is $32. You can also order HyperStudio directly from them by calling their Sales Department at (800) 421-6526 or by sending E-Mail to: care@hyperstudio.com.  

HyperStudio hardware and software requirements are:

Minimum Equipment Requirements For Macintosh System User:
Minimum Equipment Requirements For Windows System Users:

System Requirements are identical for the Preview and Full version products. These resources are all available at my school or through our District.

FileMaker Pro 4.0

The potential educational use of FileMaker Pro 4.0 http://www.filemaker.com/ is unbelievable. With simple to use tools including things like high impact graphics, text, formatting, buttons and scripting, FileMaker is an easy way to manage information from the desktop to the Web. It has an instant web publishing component. You can gain direct access to FileMaker Pro databases to search, edit, delete and update records via a web browser such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer, while maintaining FileMaker's built in access privileges. There is no need to create any web forms or HTML.

FileMaker Pro 4.0 is the database program that has the power and flexibility to handle many computer functions without having to learn complex programming skills. This is why it has such great potential for use in the classroom. FileMaker Pro 4.0 meets a wide range of database needs, some of its benefits include:
-it has Cross-Platform Compatibility
-it has Instant Peer-to-Peer Networking
-the user can get started easily
-the user can publish databases on the web

FileMaker Pro 4.0 also has a custom web publishing component where you can create a complete, custom web solution using FileMaker Pro and dynamic HTML templates. Claris Home Page 3.0 will work for connecting Web pages to FileMaker Pro 4.0 database via FileMaker Connection Assistant, and for capturing and serving data dynamically over the World Wide Web. FileMaker Pro 4.0 can serve HTML templates containing GIF or JPEG images, Animated GIFs, QuickTime movies, AIFF files or Java. 

 
FileMaker, Inc. makes the FileMaker Pro 4.0, and it may be purchased through their company. The cost of FileMaker Pro 4.0 is estimated at retail price: $199*, estimated trade up and competitive trade up retail price:$99 , and volume pricing is also available. *Price does not include applicable sales tax or shipping and handling. Learning Services < www.learnserv.com> also carries the FileMaker Pro 4.0 and it is $68.95 for a single and $999 for a lab of 10.

FileMaker Pro hardware and software requirements are:

Minimum Equipment Requirements For Macintosh, Power Macintosh, or other Mac OS based computer Users:

For publishing on the web using the FileMaker Pro Web Companion:

Access to the Internet requires an Internet service provider; FileMaker Pro does not provide an Internet account.

Minimum Equipment Requirements For Windows Users:

For sharing FileMaker databases over a network:

For publishing on the web using the FileMaker Pro Web Companion:

These resources are all available at my school or through our District.  
 CU-SeeMe

CU-SeeMe http://cu-seeme.cornell.edu/ is a videoconferencing program that enables students in one school to actually see and talk to students in another school over the Internet. The educational use of this can be seen online with the viewing of The Global Schoolhouse Project http://www.gns.org/. CU-SeeMe began back in 1993 and was used in an international K-12 education project. There are many fun and interesting ideas that are shared through this web site. In one project, classes were given categories relating to different aspects of their community to share via CU-SeeMe over the Internet. By using "reflector" software, multiple parties at different locations participate in a CU-SeeMe conference, each from his or her own computer. Using this videoconference setup classes are meeting other class all over the world!

There are several versions of this program (it is under copyright of Cornell University and its collaborators). Cornell University has a version that is not a "mature product software". It is offered free at anyone with a Macintosh or Windows and is connected to the Internet. This comes with no user support other than what you find on these pages and others linked to it. For a full-featured commercial product complete with user-support contact CU-SeeMe master licensee White Pine Software http://www.wpine.com/buying/. The cost of the commercial product starts at $60.00 and will vary according to the package being purchased.

CU-SeeMe hardware and software requirements are:

Requirements for the MACINTOSH: 

Specifications to RECEIVE video:

Specifications to SEND video:
Requirements for WINDOWS - Win16 version:
To send and receive video you'll also need:
To send & receive audio you'll also need:
CU-SeeMe is intended to provide useful video conferencing to as many people as possible and at minimal cost. The software runs on Macintosh and PC Windows platforms using an IP network connection. With CU-SeeMe each participant can decide to be a sender, a receiver, or both. Receiving requires only a Mac or PC with a screen capable of displaying 16 grays and a connection to the Internet. Sending requires the same plus a camera and digitizer which can cost less than $100 to add to your system.  

The resources for the Macintosh setup are all available at our school or through our District.