HYPERSTUDIO vs POWERPOINT
EDTECH Editor-Eiffert
<< By far, HyperStudio projects show more original
thought, give evidence of more higher order thinking and generally show that
students synthesized the content much better than similar PowerPoint
projects. >>
I completely agree. In addition, I think HyperStudio is a great practice
program for students who will eventually be creating web pages using a web
authoring program. Students need to be able to organize and plan for
hyper links and to visualize the "big picture" using horizontal thinking.
PowerPoint, while it can produce quick results, can't provide this
experience.
C. Anton
CAnto...@aol.com
teacher, Hawaii
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SIGNOFF EDTECH
EDTECH Editor-Eiffert
Hi,
I have to agree wholeheartedly with Chris about his essential question:
"Perhaps the all-encompassing question here is what are you teaching the
students to do? That may answer the question of which program to use."
While Hyperstudio might be a good entry point into multimedia presentations,
PowerPoint will be the accepted standard for serious academic and
professional presentations.
That isn't to say that PowerPoint can't be FUN and CREATIVE! The creativity
comes from HOW the presentation is put together. Three words: NON-LINEAR
POWERPOINT. OK, two words maybe :-)
The PowerPoint presentation can be formatted in such a way that it looks and
operates like a web site rather than a linear presentation. PowerPoints can
be created with action buttons, hyperlinks to other slides within the
presentation, custom animation and all the other bells and whistles that
make HyperStudio so appealing to the elementary set.
Alix E. Peshette
Technology Coordinator
Emerson Junior High School
Davis, CA
x-From: Chris Bianchi <cbia...@portmall.com>
>I start by saying that I am not a teacher and I am not an educator to
>the truest definition of the word. I will mention, however, that I do
>have a significant amount of experience in the Information Technology
>industry with many different businesses.
>Per HyperStudio's website, "HyperStudio has been the de facto standard
>classroom multimedia authoring program" (http://www.hyperstudio.com).
>What about the de facto standard industry authoring program?
>Perhaps the all-encompassing question here is what are you teaching the
>students to do? That may answer the question of which program to use.
>If you simply wish for your students to give presentations but don't
>want the overhead or cost associated with professional tools, then
>HyperStudio may be the solution.
>On the other hand, the goal of education--to my understanding--is to
>prepare students for the world that is ahead of them. Why, then, would
>we not choose to use the industry standard applications?
>I currently contract to one of the largest technology providers in the
>world--Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC). CSC has licensing for every
>Microsoft application created. HyperStudio, however, isn't even on a
>vendor list. The same holds true for Shell Oil's IT division--Shell
>Information Technology, Inc.
>Perhaps teaching HyperStudio for the purpose of using HyperStudio is
>like teaching someone to write checks with a pencil. They will learn
>the concept of writing a check and can easily correct any mistakes.
>There isn't a bank in the world, however, that will accept it for a
>deposit.
>The problem--as you well know--is that young minds are very
>impressionable. What they learn first is what they remember best. When
>they get their first real checking account, the first thing they reach
>for is the pencil.
x-From:James Tyree <FRJH_...@noeca.esu.k12.oh.us>
>
> I am a fifth grade teacher and I would like to know if anyone has a
strong
> opinion on hyperstudio or powerpoint. I personally feel that
PowerPoint is
> much better, especially in terms of availability. Please share your
feelings
> as well.
EDTECH Editor-Eiffert
I have been lurking this thread for a while. However, I feel it is time for
me to jump in.
We use PowerPoint instead of Hyperstudio. There are several reasons, it came
included with MS Office which our district has a full district wide license.
However, I used to use HyperStudio.
To teach one application over another is ridiculous. What needs to be
thought is the thought and the building of your presentation. PowerPoint or
Hyper Studio are just a few of the tools that can be used. Another tool is
StarOffice, free to any school, teacher from SUN Microsystems.
As far as the differences between PowerPoint and HyperStudio in the students
mind is nil. PowerPoint allows for the concept of slideshow up to complex
web site building. HyperStudio can do the same as StarOffice. IT is a matter
of keystrokes or mouse clicks.
Personal Opinion: PowerPoint is setup natively to do sequences. This is why
I like it. Many of our students need to learn and think through processes.
Yes, I agree, that "multiple line" thinking is needed, but still each "line"
needs to be thought out.
Eduard L. Frerking
elf...@bayarea.net <mailto:elf...@bayarea.net>
San Jose, CA
EDTECH Editor-Eiffert
I agree with what others have posted regarding comparing HyperStudio to
PowerPoint. They are really quite different products that target different
uses.
While HyperStudio has a long history of use as a multimedia authoring tool
in schools, there are now some other products that are as good, if not
better than HS. With recent versions of HS (4.x), it has been our
observation that this software has become less stable and more 'buggy." We
started looking at alternatives a year ago and have decided to use eZediaMX
as a replacement for HS. Teachers and kids like the eZediaMX's features and
ease-of-use. eZediaMX been developed for both PCs and Macs and has a Mac OS
X version. As far as I know, HS is not being developed for OS X. eXediaMX
also has a free viewer application.
<http://www.ezedia.com/products/eZediaMX/index.html>
MovieWorks is also a good multimedia program for student's use.
Jeff Johnson
District Technology Coordinator
Greendale School District
Greendale, WI 53129
jjoh...@greendale.k12.wi.us
x- From:James Tyree <FRJH_...@noeca.esu.k12.oh.us>
>
> I am a fifth grade teacher and I would like to know if anyone has a strong
> opinion on hyperstudio or powerpoint. I personally feel that PowerPoint is
> much better, especially in terms of availability. Please share your feelings
> as well.
---
EDTECH Editor-Eiffert
Good point Chris. I use both in my job and in which to train my students.
Contrary to what someone else said, HyperStudio is easier for children to
use since they do not have to be readers to use it. It is more creative
than ppt (for me at least). Most of the time, I use ppt for myself.
BTW: HyperStudio is a knock off of Hypercard developed by Apple. When
Roger Wagner developed HyperStudio, I am not aware of ppt being in
existence then so by Hobson's Choice, HyperStudio was the best.
Since the advent of ppt, it has grown and changed to meet the needs of the
market. I'm not aware of any major changes in HyperStudio in 12 years.
That's why ppt has captured the market.
-x From: Chris Bianchi <cbia...@portmall.com>
> Christopher Bianchi
> PortMall.com
> President
> http://www.portmall.com
> x-From:James Tyree <FRJH_...@noeca.esu.k12.oh.us>
EDTECH Editor-Eiffert
This argument reminds me of an argument I had with my son about 10 years
ago. He was 12 and a computer geek, very talented and it all came easy
to him. He felt that using Hyperstudio was not as valuable to the
students as learning to code with Hypercard. He thought Hyperstudio was
the lazy way out. Well we haven't heard much from Hypercard lately!! I
think people instinctively look for the easier to use application. The
teacher just has to decide what the students need to be learning to know
whether learning a more involved application is worthwhile.
Diana Sledge
x-From: Paul Gandolfo <gand...@comcast.net>
>
>In an effort to get more teachers in my building to try HyperStudio with
>students I keep telling them that PowerPoint is to HyperStudio like paint by
>numbers is to a blank canvas. I know that PowerPoint can also be completely
>customized, but the reality is students (and teachers) don't use those
>features very often. By far, HyperStudio projects show more original
>thought, give evidence of more higher order thinking and generally show that
>students synthesized the content much better than similar PowerPoint
>projects.
>
>
>I know that HyperStudio is more difficult to teach to students, but I think
>the results are worth it. (I also know that I am fighting a losing battle!)
EDTECH Editor-Eiffert
Windowatch online mag has a review of Hyperstudio vs PowerPoint.
http://www.windowatch.com/2003/july/hyperstudio9_7.html
Joy
x-From:James Tyree <FRJH_...@noeca.esu.k12.oh.us>
>>
>> I am a fifth grade teacher and I would like to know if anyone has a
>strong
>> opinion on hyperstudio or powerpoint. I personally feel that
>PowerPoint is
>> much better, especially in terms of availability. Please share your
>feelings
>> as well.
--
Joy Hogg, St. Ann School, Cadillac MI
EDTECH Editor-Eiffert
Please note that the link is not an objective review. Per the first
paragraph of the article:
"...vision of Mr. Gates and his many minions at Microsoft."
This author has a vendetta.
Christopher Bianchi
PortMall.com
President
http://www.portmall.com
X-From: "(Margaret) Joy Hogg" <jh...@edcen.ehhs.cmich.edu>
>Windowatch online mag has a review of Hyperstudio vs PowerPoint.
>http://www.windowatch.com/2003/july/hyperstudio9_7.html
Joy
x-From:James Tyree <FRJH_...@noeca.esu.k12.oh.us>
>>
>> I am a fifth grade teacher and I would like to know if anyone has a
>strong
>> opinion on hyperstudio or powerpoint. I personally feel that
>PowerPoint is
>> much better, especially in terms of availability. Please share your
>feelings
>> as well.
---
EDTECH Editor-Eiffert
I think Inspiration does a far better job at that; and, I believe,
Inspiration was developed for industry before schools??
John Orban
System Administrator
The Country School
www.countryschool.org
x-From:C. Anton <CAnto...@aol.com>
>I completely agree. In addition, I think HyperStudio is a great
>practice program for students who will eventually be creating web pages
>using a web authoring program. Students need to be able to organize and
>plan for hyper links and to visualize the "big picture" using horizontal
>thinking. PowerPoint, while it can produce quick results, can't provide
>this experience.
---
EDTECH Editor-Eiffert
>On the other hand, the goal of education--to my understanding--is to prepare students for the
>world that is ahead of them. Why, then, would we not choose to use the industry standard
>applications?
There are lots of other things to consider here.
First of all, the underlying assumption in this message thread is that the use of Hyperstudio would
exactly equate that of Powerpoint. However, not all multimedia authoring is done by Powerpoint.
Hyperstudio also lays the foundation for the move to something like Flash or any other MM authoring
tool.
The ability to use Hyperstudio in so many forms, incorporating many different file formats is an
indication of its power. If the goal of teaching multimedia authoring is simply the final product,
then any piece of software will do the trick. However, if the goal is to be concerned about story
boarding, file type integration, non-linear thinking, branching, etc. in a format that requires a
relatively less powerful computer, then Hyperstudio should be strongly considered where it's
appropriate for the student level and the equipment at hand.
Finally, to state that the goal of education is to teach industry standard applications just
doesn't fly. The original message indicated that we were talking a Grade 5 class here. If you do
the math, these students won't hit the "industry" for 7 years without going to university. To
think that any computer skills that they accumulate now will significantly help them that far into
the future needs to be rethinking. Will Powerpoint still be around? Will computers as we know
them be around? Does anyone *really* write cheques anymore?
The goal of technology in education should be to help them acquire the thinking and problem solving
skills to pull the various resources that they have together so that they can become proficient and
educated computer users. The technology, hardware and software, is a moving target as it matures.
Thinking and problem solving are skills that need to be inculcated and developed life long
...Doug
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Doug Peterson
Computers in the Classroom Consultant
Greater Essex County District School Board
http://www.gecdsb.on.ca/d&g/
519-255-3354
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
EDTECH Editor-Eiffert
Diana,
At the risk of agreeing with your "computer geek" son ... (sounds like he and my
now 23 year old computer geek son should meet ... want to form a support group
for young men who helped their moms into the computer age?????)
If you want to prepare your students to build web pages, for goodness sakes,
please use a web page editor ..... PowerPoint and Hyperstudio presentations on
the web are extremely irritating .... both are meant to be presentation tools ...
they are typically used to support the information being delivered by a speaker
in a FTF setting ... unless you have a GREAT MP3 editor and can easily web
deliver the associated sound files, they loose much of their meaning when you
just put them up as is online ..... Would you really just publish your outline
and then expect everyone to understand the fine details of your paper??????
The point at which I agree with Diana's son is that if you are going to make a
browser delivered presentation .... then learn basic html at least ... but, if
you just MUST use a WYSIWYG ... use Composer or DreamWeaver or something similar
... please teach students to use the right tool for the task. Just because
HyperStudio and PowerPoint will let you convert them to html does NOT mean that
you should!!!!!
(She grumbles as she admits that she builds ALL of her presentations as browser
delivered because once burned to a CD, they will work on any machine that has a
recent browser even if the machine is NOT connected {no need to worry about
platform or application version issues}, and she is quite capable of building a
browser delivered site that looks just like anything that can be built in either
PowerPoint or HyperStudio .... but then that is another story .....)
Kathy
Kathy Skinner
kath...@abundantchoices.org
x- From: Diana Sledge <d...@austin.rr.com>
>
> This argument reminds me of an argument I had with my son about 10 years
> ago. He was 12 and a computer geek, very talented and it all came easy
> to him. He felt that using Hyperstudio was not as valuable to the
> students as learning to code with Hypercard. He thought Hyperstudio was
> the lazy way out. Well we haven't heard much from Hypercard lately!! I
> think people instinctively look for the easier to use application. The
> teacher just has to decide what the students need to be learning to know
> whether learning a more involved application is worthwhile.
>
> Diana Sledge
>
>
x-From: Paul Gandolfo <gand...@comcast.net>
> >
> >In an effort to get more teachers in my building to try HyperStudio with
> >students I keep telling them that PowerPoint is to HyperStudio like paint by
> >numbers is to a blank canvas. I know that PowerPoint can also be completely
> >customized, but the reality is students (and teachers) don't use those
> >features very often. By far, HyperStudio projects show more original
> >thought, give evidence of more higher order thinking and generally show that
> >students synthesized the content much better than similar PowerPoint
> >projects.
> >
> >
> >I know that HyperStudio is more difficult to teach to students, but I think
> >the results are worth it. (I also know that I am fighting a losing battle!)
---
EDTECH Editor-Eiffert
I'm late in this thread but I wanted to jump in. I think we're placing
too much emphasis on the tools here and not about the educational
experience of the students. Whether industry uses program X--or whether
the school has site licensing for program Y--should not be the main
concern. Instead, we should be thinking about which program does what
the students need to do the best. Really the tool should be
inconsequential; if you have a badly designed instructional activity, it
won't matter much whether you use HyperStudio, PowerPoint, Authorware,
or vanilla HTML.
I agree that we should be teaching students things they will need to
know in the "real" world. That's why I always argue about why we
continue to upgrade the Microsoft operating systems and Office suites;
most businesses around here still use Office 97!
What will serve our students best in the future, I think, will be to
empower them to apply their knowledge to novel situations. In other
words, teaching the general concepts about "presentations" should allow
a student to sit down with almost any presentation software and create a
presentation. They should know how to use a program's built in help
funcions and tutorials. They should know how to search the web for
information to solve the problem. They should be able to locate support
communities on the Internet where they can ask for help.
If we know only one thing about the future it's that it will be
different. Teaching a program might serve today's students for a few
years, but what happens when things change? Will the students be able to
adapt?
Finally, I'm not choosing HyperStudio or PowerPoint, but I get the
impression people think HyperStudio is not as powerful as PowerPoint. I
would argue that PowerPoint is the electronic version of "chalk'n'talk"
while HyperStudio lets you design rich interactive learning activities.
For example, with scripting HyperStudio can check user input. You can
allow a user to record a sound and compare it to a prerecorded sound
(former Spanish teacher here). The two tool are so different I would
probably never consider using HyperStudio for giving a talk to an audience.
But if what you want is to put your 3x5 notecards up on a really big
screen so you won't forget what you're supposed to be talking about,
then PowerPoint is the way to go! ;)
Todd
>From: Chris Bianchi <cbia...@portmall.com>
>
>I start by saying that I am not a teacher and I am not an educator to
>the truest definition of the word. I will mention, however, that I do
>have a significant amount of experience in the Information Technology
>industry with many different businesses.
>
>Per HyperStudio's website, "HyperStudio has been the de facto standard
>classroom multimedia authoring program" (http://www.hyperstudio.com).
>What about the de facto standard industry authoring program?
>
>Perhaps the all-encompassing question here is what are you teaching the
>students to do? That may answer the question of which program to use.
>
>If you simply wish for your students to give presentations but don't
>want the overhead or cost associated with professional tools, then
>HyperStudio may be the solution.
>
>On the other hand, the goal of education--to my understanding--is to
>prepare students for the world that is ahead of them. Why, then, would
>we not choose to use the industry standard applications?
>
>I currently contract to one of the largest technology providers in the
>world--Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC). CSC has licensing for every
>Microsoft application created. HyperStudio, however, isn't even on a
>vendor list. The same holds true for Shell Oil's IT division--Shell
>Information Technology, Inc.
>Perhaps teaching HyperStudio for the purpose of using HyperStudio is
>like teaching someone to write checks with a pencil. They will learn
>the concept of writing a check and can easily correct any mistakes.
>There isn't a bank in the world, however, that will accept it for a
>deposit.
>
>The problem--as you well know--is that young minds are very
>impressionable. What they learn first is what they remember best. When
>they get their first real checking account, the first thing they reach
>for is the pencil.
--
Todd Slater
Instructional Technology Educational Coordinator
Muskingum Area Technical College
Zanesville, OH
EDTECH Editor-Eiffert
Hi All,
Put me in the HyperStudio column -- not because HyperStudio is a better
presentation tool than PowerPoint (it probably isn't) -- but because it is a better
authoring tool. As Diana (below) mentions about her son's valuing of
HyperCard -- the power is in the scripting. Ten years ago, HyperStudio couldn't touch
HyperCard's scripting capabilities -- now it can. The HyperLogo scripting
language is where the power of HyperStudio outshines the power of PowerPoint.
Again, I agree with Diana that PowerPoint is easy to use for a basic presentation
-- and "easy" can be appealing in the short run, but not in the long run.
Paul's (below) metaphor for the two programs really speaks to that.
Take a look at the Spotlight section of the HyperStudio website -- better
yet, visit the HyperLogo List Stack Library http://www.hsj.com/hyperlogo/ to
find some examples of HyperStudio projects that go beyond the "presentation"
focus.
HyperStudio 4.0-4.2 was "buggy" as was mentioned -- I stopped using that
version and went back to 3.3. But, 4.5 seems to be pretty solid and if you have
used 3.3, you'll notice some nice additions to HyperLogo in the 4.x version. So,
take a look at it, learn HyperLogo and start "authoring" instead of
"presenting."
There are other programs out there -- MovieWorks and eZedia have already been
mentioned. MediaBlender at http://www.tech4learning.com/ -- is basically
HyperStudio without scripting. Those of you who long for HyperCard should check
out Revolution at http://www.runrev.com - it is a cross-platform development
tool -- more complex than an authoring tool like HyperStudio.
take care,
randy hengst
iowah...@aol.com
education department
augustana college
rock island, illinois
EDTECH Editor-Eiffert
To me, the most underrated piece of educational software in Inspiration.
We use it to organize before creating any presentation. Probably the
reason it is not in every school is the price - and therein lies the
problem for HyperStudio, too. It almost doesn't matter which tool is best
- in this day and age, the question is which tool can the school afford?
All these programs can do very similar things - be linear, be non-linear,
have bells and whistles, be viewer controlled or have the presenter put
people to sleep, whatever. But right now it is a terrible problem to stay
licensed properly and pay for licenses. And with POWERpoINT nested in
Office, it tends to win the battle for dollars.
Joy
x-from John Orban
>
>I think Inspiration does a far better job at that; and, I believe,
>Inspiration was developed for industry before schools??
>
x-From:C. Anton <CAnto...@aol.com>
>
>>I completely agree. In addition, I think HyperStudio is a great
>>practice program for students who will eventually be creating web pages
>>using a web authoring program. Students need to be able to organize and
>>plan for hyper links and to visualize the "big picture" using horizontal
>>thinking. PowerPoint, while it can produce quick results, can't provide
>>this experience.
--
Joy Hogg, St. Ann School, Cadillac MI
---
EDTECH Editor-Eiffert
I agree wholeheartedly with Todd's comment that both of these apps are just
"tools." As students and teachers become more experienced, the assignment
should probably be "create a multimedia presentation <with some specified
content>," rather than to "create a <insert favorite software here>
presentation."
I will, though, reply to the perceived difference between how these software
packages might be used. While powerpoint very intuitively creates a linear
presentation, it isn't limited to that. Buttons can be added for "click and
go" in a nonlinear path. Powerpoint can also check user input and do other
scripting through VBA (Visual Basic for Applications). I'm not sure about
comparing sound files.
What I haven't seen is a teacher-friendly manual for doing some basic
scripting within the Office apps. Does anyone know of one? I don't know VBA
(only a litte "about" VBA) and would like to learn. The tutorials I can find
are way beyond where I want to tinker at this time.
~~~~~~~~~~
Nancy Head, MVHS (www.mivhs.org)
x- From: Todd Slater <tsl...@matc.tec.oh.us>
>
> Really the tool should be
> inconsequential;
> I would argue that PowerPoint is the electronic version of "chalk'n'talk"
> while HyperStudio lets you design rich interactive learning activities.
> For example, with scripting HyperStudio can check user input. You can
> allow a user to record a sound and compare it to a prerecorded sound
> (former Spanish teacher here).
---
EDTECH Editor-Eiffert
> To me, the most underrated piece of educational software in Inspiration.
> We use it to organize before creating any presentation. Probably the
> reason it is not in every school is the price - and therein lies the
> problem for HyperStudio, too. It almost doesn't matter which tool is best
> - in this day and age, the question is which tool can the school afford?
One free alternative to Inspiration is the IMHC concept mapping
software: http://cmap.coginst.uwf.edu/
There also is FreeMind: http://freemind.sourceforge.net/
A free alternative to Powerpoint is OpenOffice's Presentation software
which works on Windows, Mac, or Linux and is just as good as Powerpoint
and can in fact open Powerpoint files and save to the Powerpoint file
format (and other office formats, and export directly to PDF and Flash).
Most people really don't need to purchase Microsoft Office at all:
http://www.openoffice.org/
For multimedia presentations and papers see also Video Paper Builder:
http://vpb.concord.org/
Some free alternatives to Hyperstudio and Hypercard include:
E-Slate:
http://e-slate.cti.gr/
PythonCard:
http://pythoncard.sourceforge.net/
http://www.onlamp.com/pub/a/python/2001/08/16/pythonnews.html
PyGame and PygsEar: (for making games and animations)
http://staff.easthighschool.net/lee/computers/book/
http://www.nongnu.org/pygsear/
http://pygame.org/
Various BASIC languages and Visual Basic clones:
http://devchannel.org/article.pl?sid=03/07/02/1359202
NetLogo:
http://ccl.sesp.northwestern.edu/netlogo/
Squeak:
http://www.squeakland.org/
Other Open Source alternative applications (Windows-centric):
http://www.jairlie.com/oss/suggestedapplications.html
Doug Holton
EDTECH Editor-Eiffert
For me, the advantage of PowerPoint is that students are more likely to have
opportunities to use this program at home and after graduation. Computers
in a student's home need to be seen as part of the edtech environment.
Jeremy Tschudin
EDTECH Editor-Eiffert
This last term my children have used slideshows to demonstrate the process
of building a toy, to add some flavour to homework and to publish stories.
One huge advantage that I see in PowerPoint is that many of my kids have
access to it at home. Therefore they are doing things at home, involving and
teaching Mum and Dad, and emailing projects back to school (that involves
new skills too).
Sometimes we have to do a bit of a tidy up (we use Office 2000 while some
kids have XP which adds some extra whizz-bang) however thats why they have a
teacher/ facilitaor/ geek with tools to help them out. For my kids,
PowerPoint is the choice.
Nicki
Year 5/6
Auckland
New Zealand
EDTECH Editor-Eiffert
If you are considering authoring tools, I recommend you look at a tool
called DazzlerMax at www.dazzler.net. It's a full-featured authoring tool,
that can be used by anyone with "powerpoint/hyperstudio" skills with no
scripting, but full support for rules based branching and user definable
variables. One really cool feature is the HTML action object, which is a
browser you can embeed into your content with a user definable interface.
Down under, a number the schools using the tool, have contests as too
which student can create the coolest browser. Both teachers and students
can use the tool with about a day of training. Be warned though, it is a
very addicting technology.
Jimmy D.