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HyperStudio and Microsoft PowerPoint 2002

Books on the latest software programs for technology directors and IT staff

HyperStudio and Microsoft PowerPoint 2002

Apink starfish on a bright blue background on a computer screen introduces a special creation from a bunch of third-graders in Tennessee.

"Animals in the Coral Reef" is spelled out colorfully on another screen and written as if a child innocently scribbled it.

This is the beginning of a HyperStudio project that third-graders in Laura Peacock's class in Memphis' Orleans Elementary School created last year.

HyperStudio is a multimedia authoring software program that teachers and students can use to combine various multimedia elements using interactive cards and objects. Students can enter text, add backgrounds and insert graphics, sounds, buttons and animation on cards.

A 25-gallon saltwater reef tank in Peacock's classroom serves as inspiration. Last year, she had student pairs create "The Great Barrier Reef" project. Peacock created a home page, and then four buttons were installed to include the reef's characteristics. Students also studied different animals that live in the reef.

Using HyperStudio, they added voices, sounds, pictures and background for each animal. "I would show them menus ... and the more they played with it, the more they learned," she says.

"I think it's a wonderful program," Peacock adds. "They learn it better and they remember the different ways of learning."

HyperStudio Step By Step for HyperTeachers, FTC Publishing, $34.95 (volume discounts available)

This book was designed to open up windows of creativity and problem solving for teachers and students. Organized for either classroom use or as the text for in-service workshops, it includes basics such as creating a stack and linking stacks, followed by advanced art techniques, including new button actions, effects, animation and HyperLogo scripting.

Teachers Discovering HyperStudio: Concepts and Integration, Course Technology, $53.95

The three projects in this book introduce educators to the fundamentals of creating multimedia projects using basic and advanced features of HyperStudio. Detailed screen shots of each project and tips for integrating HyperStudio effectively into the classroom curriculum make the book reader-friendly. Included is a CD-ROM with an evaluation copy of HyperStudio 3.2.1d.

HyperStudio Animation from A to Zoom!, FTC Publishing, $29.95 (volume discounts available)

Experienced HyperStudio users can make animations by creating or locating picture series and then setting the pictures to motion. For use with grades 3-12, the book includes 16 chapters featuring various animation techniques and tricks. A CD-ROM with projects and tutorials is included.

Using PowerPoint in the Classroom, Corwin Press, $16.95 (paperback), $39.95 (library edition)

Written by technology experts and experienced educators, this book features a number of PowerPoint projects for beginners to more advanced users. Included are step-by-step instructions for developing a custom school template, creating a looping slideshow, adding student narration to showcase student work, adding animation, developing professional presentations and more.

Microsoft PowerPoint 2002: Complete Concepts and Techniques, Course Technology, $38.66

Ideal for educators preparing for a PowerPoint certification exam, this book features screen shots that show what happens as each step is completed. From the basics of creating a presentation to using presentations for online collaboration, projects and exercises designed to take advantage of PowerPoint 2002 enhancements.

The detailed appendices include instructions for using PowerPoint with speech and handwriting recognition technology. Also available is Microsoft PowerPoint 2002: Introductory Concepts and Techniques, which covers only the first two projects in the complete version.

Microsoft PowerPoint 2002: 10 Minute Guide, Que, $14.99

From "What's New in PowerPoint 2002" to the basics of presentation development, this book offers 18, 10-minute lessons on how to use the application. More advanced skills, such as adding charts to slides and designing presentations for the Internet, are also included. The goal-oriented lessons are generally about 10 pages long and contain multiple how-to lists.