Discovery

Software Stacking Up

New Zealand development of educational applications for Apple Computer's HyperCard software have provided teachers and students around the country -- and now around the world -- with a chance to learn some directed, useful programming skills quickly and easily. The simple combination of a variety of information sources, such as video, sound, data and animation, has encouraged a broad range of applications to be developed as part of the HyperEd StackWare project

"For one reason or another, HyperCard always comes into it," says organiser Tina van der Molen. She cites the program's ease of use, availability and fast feedback as major advantages.

"It's a fantastic way to introduce students to programming," she says, and it appears that teachers are keen to use it too. Training workshops for HyperCard have been well attended, and three national conferences have discussed the software's educational applications.

Over the past five years, the teachers involved in the HyperEd New Zealand StackWare project have developed around 40 individual titles ranging from new entrant level to the senior secondary school. Video, sound, databases and interactive sections are all melded to produce an interesting and informative look at a variety of topics.

The "Cell Explorer" turns the computer screen into a microscope, allowing students to zoom in and out of slides, label organelles and search a stack of data cards for extra information. Animation is used to demonstrate protein synthesis in the cell. "Earthquake" puts Standard 3 to Form 2 pupils in the role of a duty officer at the Earthquake Centre Main Office. Information on an impending earthquake has to be tracked down, appropriate contacts made, warnings issued and security measures implemented. A built-in reference library and a slide projection "room" provides information and video images. If the pupil manages to provide the appropriate warnings in time, their name can be listed on a "city saver" roll of honour, and a certificate printed out.

Other titles include subjects ranging from the "HyperPoet" to the "Trampers' Meal Planner". An early StackPac Kids session saw pupils use the software, sound libraries and image scanners to develop their own ideas. One produced scanned images and information on her family tree; another pupil compared her house in New Zealand with her original home in Taiwan, using scanned photos, floorplans and sound clips of English and Mandarin.

The work has been supported in New Zealand by Apple Computer, and soon attracted the attention of the US parent company.

"Apple Computer USA became aware of what we were doing in New Zealand -- it wasn't being done elsewhere," says van der Molen. The work impressed them so much that they had her write a handbook on developing education courseware.

Last year saw van der Molen give HyperEd workshops in Canada and Mexico, and a group of Japanese came to New Zealand for training. The success of the concept can be gauged by the fact that the HyperEd handbook is now being translated into Spanish and Japanese. Having local teachers writing software for local use is very valuable, as it enables them to meet the requirements and focus of local studies.

"Most educational software is sourced from America," says van der Molen. This makes it less useful for New Zealanders, Japanese or anyone else operating outside the US school system.

Further international contacts are planned as part of the Transparent Classroom Wall Project. New Zealand pupils have been "corresponding" with each other and with those overseas by posting floppy disks. The next step is to provide direct communication links via modem and electronic mail systems. A project involving collaborative writing is set for National Technology Communications Week in May.

It's not just a technological toy, van der Molen is quick to point out. Links between Papatoetoe Central Primary School and its counterpart in River Oaks Public School, Toronto, Canada, are aimed at extending the curriculum of both institutions. The Canadians are using it as part of their study of "The World Down Under", learning about New Zealand's natural resources and unique ecology; the Kiwis are supplementing their set study of the farmyard to learn about methods of farming not common in New Zealand.

Vicki Hyde, NZSM

Vicki Hyde is the editor of New Zealand Science Monthly.