Hyperstudio?

[Twinmom2J&G]

Hi, this is my first entry. I was hoping to see if anyone, or everyone except me:), knows about the program Hyperstudio. I heard about the program on a webquest assignment I found, but I don't know what it is.
My questions are:
~ How does the program work?
~ How do you get it?
~ Is it expensive?

Thanks in advance for any info you can provide!

[Addict]

I think Jennifer has used that - maybe she can chime in on this one too, but our friends at Acedemic Superstore sell it at a discount for teachers and students (~$55):

http://www.academicsuperstore.com/item/?tname=248531&title=HyperStudio

Hope that helps with the 'where' and 'how much'...:)

[lia]

Okay, HyperStudio geek here ;)

I've used HyperStudio every year with my students, whether they were 1st or 4th grade. HyperStudio is kinda like PowerPoint, but it's not ... lateral? linear? ... vacation brain freeze right now, sorry ... what I'm trying to say is that PowerPoint can only go from slide to slide to slide, in sequential order, but with HyperStudio, you can jump around, you don't have to use the slides in order--sorta like a web page. With HyperStudio, you can add sounds, do animations, or just simple drawing/typing.

With my 1st graders, we of course just stick to the simple drawing/typing. Usually, it's a response to our book of the month, or their informational paper. All they do is one card each, and then I go back later and link all the cards up to make a "stack." I leave these stacks running on the computers during curriculum fair time, so that the parents can browse through them. I used to post them to the web, but the plugin has not been updated for the newer browsers so I haven't done that lately.

When I had 4th grade, they did everything themselves. I taught them how to add sound, how to add "buttons", how to do the animation, etc. They had to design a mini-stack (maximum 5 cards) about their report on native plants. When they were done, they left them running on the computers, and the other 4th grade classes came in and got to see/run their stacks and comment.

I also use it not only as a learning tool, but as a teaching tool as well (standards, standards, standards...). There is not much information out there on the subjects I teach so I have to make up my own stacks to help the kids find the necessary information. With all the links and buttons, the kids are able to choose where they want to go to get the information they needed--sorta like them browsing the web, but at least I know there's safe content, because I did it myself! :p

If you have any questions, let me know. :)

And, no, I don't work for the company ;)

[Twinmom2J&G]

Thank you so much for such a quick response. It sounds like it is an awesome tool in your room. I would love to try it myself. Where did you get it and about how much was it if you don't mind my asking?

[AAA Teacher Forum]

I personally haven't used Hyperstudio. Our school district phased it out and replaced it with MediaBlender.

The programs do the same thing and those that used to use Hyperstudio like MediaBlender much more. I also like to think of MediaBlender as an easy "web page" program since you can link between pages, link to pictures, web sites, videos, etc. It also works on both platforms.

Learn more about MediaBlender and get a 15-day Evaluation Version at:
http://www.tech4learning.com/mediablender/index.html

As Addict mentioned in his post, the Academic Superstore is great for educational software. You can purchase it from them at a discount over Tech4Learning.
http://www.academicsuperstore.com/quick_search.html?qks=1&qk_srch=MediaBlender&x=0&y=0

Jennifer

[lia]

Where did you get it and about how much was it if you don't mind my asking?

Sorry, I don't know--it was already in all the school's computers when I started there. Addict's link looks good, though; I think that's a pretty good price for what it does! I could ask my tech coordinator, if you want? He might have some leads as to where to buy it from and cost.

Sorry!

[Love2Teach]

I have never heard of Media Blender. Thanks for the website; I am going to go play around with it. I am always excited to get my hands on some new software.
Thanks-
Melissa