CU-SeeMe- This program was developed by Cornell University as a video conferencing tool.
It is available for Mac and PC's. CU-SeeMe let's you see/send live video transmissions over the Internet. The program can be downloaded for free. Program requirements for Mac platform are:
Specifications to RECEIVE video:
Macintosh platform with a 68020 processor or higher
System 7 or higher operating system
(it "may" run on system 6.0.7 and above)
Ability to display 16-level-grayscale (e.g. any color Mac)
an IP network connection
MacTCP or Open Transport
Current CU-SeeMe application
Apple's QuickTime, to receive slides with SlideWindow
Specifications to SEND video:
The specifications to receive video mentioned above
Quicktime installed
A video digitizer (with vdig software) and Camera
This program would be great for elementary students. They could see their pen pals and talk with them live. Pleasant Hill could utilize this technology because we have all the requirements. I would need to download the program and then install it on the classroom computers. With the low price of black and white QuickCams, our technology budget could easily afford to purchase 3-4 more. I like the excitement and fun this program would bring to the projects.
HyperStudio - Distributed through Roger Wagner Publishing Company
This program lets users create multimedia programs. It is appropriate to use with all ages. (younger students will need more guidance) Slide shows are created by "stacking" work and then running it in a slide show. Users can add pictures, sound and animation to enhance their program. It will allow the user to create quality student portfolios. The Internet provides information on how to order a trial copy (CD-rom) of HyperStudio. (It is available for Mac and PC platforms.) This comes with information on ordering the entire program. You can also download the plug-in for your web browser. This will let the user place their projects on the Internet. Program requirements are: Mac with system 7.5 or higher, HyperStudio program and modem ( if you wish to use the plug-in for the web browser). HyperStudio 3.0 currently sells for $112.95 for a single copy. (Learning Services Discount Software Catalog) Lab packs of 5 and 10 can also be purchased. Springfield School District has a site license for HyperStudio.
I have used HyperStudio for the last 2 years. It is a very easy program to use. My students have created slide shows for science and social studies projects. We added artwork from Kid Pix, sound and scanned in reports. The newer version has more to offer than the one I currently use. I would like to see this used more at the elementary level. (Though I am very excited about trying Power Point out in the fall.)
RealPlayer Plus 5.0 - RealNetworks
RealPlayer Plus 5.0 lets you access RealAudio and RealVideo files over the Internet. When you open a RealAudio or RealVideo link on the Web the player automatically opens and plays the file you have selected. Sites include ABCNews.com and c/net. There are a wide variety of radio and news stations from all over the world that you can hear. This program allows you to pause, rewind, fast-forward, stop and start the audio/video clips with a simple click. RealPlayer 5.0 is available for Mac and PC platforms. Mac platform requires: Power Mac, 16 MB for video, 4 MB for audio, 2 MB hard disk and Internet access. RealPlayer 5.0 is $29.99 with a 30-day money back guarantee. (Optional subscription gives you free upgrades for a year) There is also 90 days phone support and 30 days of software upgrades. Ordering and downloading can be done over the Internet or by phone.
I have seen then program used and it is very impressive. I think the students would like to hear the audio broadcasts from other parts of the world. It would be expensive to have on all the classroom computers. Maybe installing this on one computer that teachers could share would be a good start. I think it is great for home and would like to try using it at the elementary level. There would need to be some time spent locating appropriate sites to use and planning how to incorporate them into the classroom.