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Rich Media Products

Discussed below are five products to help you develop rich media content: Audacity, Powerpoint, Impatica, Camtasia, and Captivate. The information in this article is also captured in a spreadsheet - download the PDF version here or read the article below.

All the programs below create rich media products that can be viewed on Mac and Windows platforms. The first three, Audacity, PowerPoint and Impatica for PowerPoint, can be used to develop content on either a Mac or Windows platform but the rest of the programs require a Windows system to develop the content.

Audacity

Open source software for recording and editing sounds

Where to find it

Free Download

Details on Usage and Instructional Application

MS PowerPoint

Used to create presentations which can contain text, graphics, sound, video and animation. Can also be used with Impatica for digital distribution. Can also be saved as a single PDF file or as a web page.

Where to find it

  • Installed on all WWU office, classroom & lab computers as part of Microsoft Office 2007 for Windows or Microsoft Office 2008 for Macintosh
  • Microsoft work-at-home rights for faculty licensed to use Microsoft Office 2004 or Microsoft Office 2008 for Macintosh on a university-owned computer - no charge - email ATUS Software Services for details
  • Microsoft Home Use Program for licensed users of Microsoft Office 2007 for Windows - $9.95 electronic download - email ATUS Software Services for details
  • Available to students as part of Microsoft Office 2008 for Macintosh or Microsoft Office 2007 for Windows through a variety of venues including

Impatica for PowerPoint

Converts PowerPoint files containing text, graphics, sound, video and
animation into a highly compressed format (HTML and two Java archive files) which plays online as originally designed on all platforms and browsers

Where to find it

Faculty and Staff: from ATUS Software Services - no charge, includes work-at-home benefit

Details on Usage and Instructional Application

Camtasia Studio for Windows or Camtasia for Mac

Records all actions on your computer screen with accompanying audio and/or video input

Where to find it

Faculty and Staff: from ATUS Software Services

  • Camtasia Studio for Windows - $200 (includes tax and shipping)
  • Camtasia for Mac - about $110 (includes tax and shipping)

WWU students (and faculty and staff):

Details on Usage and Instructional Application

Adobe Captivate

Records all on-screen actions, voice over narration, typing and mouse sounds, and creates an interactive Flash simulation. Demonstration, Guided Practice and Assessment modes. Can be used in "graphics mode" to present a multimedia slide show.

Where to find it

Faculty and Staff: from ATUS Software Services - $110, includes a work-at-home benefit.

Students: Academic Superstore or other similar academic discounters

Details on Usage and Instructional Application