CU-SeeMe is a videoconferencing program designed by Cornell University. This program enables individuals to conference with sites any where in the world. Through the use of reflector software, people in many different sites are able to conference from their own computers just like they where next door. This program is available free for personnel computers and is designed for use with both IBM and Macintosh computers with an active Internet connection. The program can be directly downloaded from the CU-SeeMe homepage, which also provides a great deal of valuable information about this product.
Educational Potential
CU-SeeMe can be used in many ways in the classroom. One way would be to provide students the opportunity to conference with other students throughout the world. This can increase understanding of ways of life when studying certain areas of the world or nation. CU-SeeMe can also be used to provide students with the experience of communicating with politicians, scientists or authors located all around the world. Students can learn valuable questioning skills and build useful communication skills by using this videoconferencing program.
This resource could also be useful when working with students whose disabilities often limit their ability to benefit from written information located on the web. These students could receive valuable information by using listening and questioning skills to uncover information. My school does currently have the resources necessary to implement the use of the program. CU-SeeMe could have many interesting and beneficial uses when used in the classroom setting.
System Requirements
In order to access and use CU-SeeMe the following requirements are needed for use with a Macintosh computer:
To Receive Video:
To Send Video:
Please be aware that in order to conference with more than 1 party you must have reflector software installed on you computer
HyperStudio
HyperStudio is an electronic presentation program created by Roger Wagner Publishing Company. HyperStudio is a software program that allows users to use text, sound, graphics, and video to create a presentation. HyperStudio contains the capability to access data directly from the Internet by the creation of buttons that will enable the user to open sites directly from the HyperStudio presentation.
Educational Potential
This software will allow students to create presentations to display knowledge acquired after the completion of a particular project or unit. This method of presentation will encompass the use of Internet sites , as well as, CD-ROMS and other information sources. Students will be able to develop a more complete presentation that will allow them to explore and present information discovered on many platforms. HyperStudio will allow students to work collaboratively to create a HyperStudio stack that can encompass several areas of research on the same subject.
This software is currently available in my district. Several teachers in the building have used HyperStudio with students and have seen the creation of many impressive presentations.
System Requirements
The following is a list of requirements necessary to run any HyperStudio software on a Macintosh computer.
Product Information
HyperStudio can be obtain by accessing the online version of the StudioWare Catalog which contains many of the products and items that are helpful for using HyperStudio. To order HyperStudio directly from the company you may call the Sales Department at 1-800-421-6526 or send E-mail to care@hyperstudio.com. HyperStudio can also be obtained by contacting an authorized dealer.
Price Information
The following is a list of prices that were obtained directly from the on -line StudioWare Catalog. This program can be purchased as a single copy or as a set.
- HyperStudio Preview CD-ROM can be obtained for free. This CD allows the user to save many 4-card projects. However, it does not allow the user to edit already saved presentations.
- HyperStudio Single Copy includes 1 single user program, 1 resources CD, 1 set of manuals, 1 registration guide, and 1 getting started guide. This can be purchased for $199.95.
- The HyperStudio five pack includes the software necessary to run the program on 5 computers that are stand alone, not networked. This pack can be obtained for $450.00.
- The HyperStudio 10 pack allows the software to be used on 10 networked or stand alone computers. This set can be purchased for $795.00.
Macromedia Shockwave
Shockwave is a "plugin" which enables users to experience the animation and entertainment of the web. Shockwave is typically what makes some frequently visited sites so interesting. It provides users with the ability to create technical illustrations, maps and cartoons on the Web, and be able to download with very little wait time. In order to use Shockwave you must have a Shockwave Player, which is available with many of the popular browsers or it can be downloaded free from the Macromedia site. Shockwave is available free through the website at Macromedia.
Shockwave can be made by the use of one of three Macromedia tools. Flash, Director, or Authorware. All these are available for down load by visiting the Macromedia site. The use of these tools varies depending on the type of effect you chose to create. For instance you would use Authorware to create streaming interactive sites like, educational coursework or CD's that were directly connected to the web for information updates. Director would be used to stream interactive events like product demonstrations and animated games. Flash would be used to stream animations with sound from from interactive websites.
Due to the fact that Shockwave and its tools are available on the Website for free it can easily be obtained using the resources available at my school. It would simply require that the tools be downloaded on a power Macintosh which I currently have located in my classroom.
Compatibility
Shockwave player is compatible with Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows NT, Macintosh, and Power Macintosh.
Educational Potential
Shockwave appears to be very technical for the use in classroom web pages. Shockwave goes much more in depth than we would probably ever go with web page creation at the intermediate level. However, Shockwave appears to have the capabilities to work with animation and sound quality to create a great educational presentation.
Shockwave may also increase educational usefulness of sites by allowing the streaming of information. This would allow sound and animation files to load quickly and begin playing while the remainder of the file is loading. This would eliminate upload time which is sometimes very inconvenient in the classroom setting. With the use of Shockwave, students and teachers would have the ability to upload sites with little or no waiting. This would allow teachers and students to use more interactive sites within the classroom.
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