EDIT 5395 Assignment 3

1. EDIT 5395Assignment 3: Software EvaluationBetsy HarkeyFebruary 13, 2010 Camtasia Studio version 6 and Adobe Captivate 4

2. Screencast Software Instructional goals for using this software The increase of distance learning, including on line and ITV courses, necessitates the need to become creative and search for ways to provide the highest quality and most effective and efficient content possible. The ability for instructors to capture PC screens or PowerPoint presentations and produce videos can create endless possibilities to keep students engaged, establish resource libraries, provide tutorials, etc. Use of software Intended use for this software is vast. The objective is to recommend for purchase the product that best meets the needs of instructors, purchase a volume license, and install in computers in Faculty Innovation Centers. The Instructional Designer will be charged with providing staff development and follow up training for instructors. Those teaching on line and ITV courses will receive first priority with other instructors scheduled to participate in the second round of training.

3. Camtasia Studio version 6 Type of License to be purchased Educational pricing includes volume licensing option which can include one downloaded copy of software with permission to install on multiple workstations Price/educational discount Educational pricing includes volume pricing, i.e. 5-9 users is $179 each. Maintenance agreement available at 25% of cost includes: free upgrades for one year and priority technical support Software Category Camtasia Studio version 6 is a screencast software which could also be categorized as presentation, multimedia, reference and authoring

4. Camtasia Studio version 6 Technical Requirements The minimum system requirements are: Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 Microsoft DirectX 9 or later version 1.0 GHz processor minimum ~ Recommended: 2.0 GHz (for PowerPoint and camera recordings.) 500 MB RAM minimum ~ Recommended: 2.0 GB 115 MB of hard-disk space for program installation Optional system requirements include: Camtasia Studio Add-in for PowerPoint requires PowerPoint 2000, 2002, 2003, or 2007 Production to the Apple iPod/iPod Touch/iPhone format requires Apple QuickTime 7.2 or later Dedicated Windows-compatible sound card, microphone and speakers (recommended) Camera video recording requires a USB Camera. Digital video (DV) cameras are not supported.

5. Camtasia Studio version 6 Software Features Template

7. The trial functioned well.

8. Simple to follow menu driven and one click instructions in Learning Center that allows the user to record, edit, produce videos of their PC screen and share

9. For basic tasks and advanced features, step by step, easy to follow, instructional videos and PowerPoint presentations are available as a tutorial prior to starting and throughout the process

10. Version 6 has 5 production presets to simplify the web destination process with the smallest and best quality file possible: blog, web, YouTube, HD display and Screencast.com

12. Possible to use video from other sources. Tutorials are provided but will definitely need to be studied due to the random nature of video sources.

14. Tutorials and help (?) throughout the product which should allow users to be relatively self sufficient

15. Cost effective with volume pricing and licensing

16. Allows for an efficient use of time and resources

17. Screencast.com can save valuable server space (2 GB storage for free)

18. The technical requirements are doable for my setting in higher education.

20. Adobe Captivate 4 Technical Requirements: Minimum system requirements Intel® Pentium® 4, Intel Centrino,® Intel Xeon,® or Intel Core™ Duo (or compatible) processor Microsoft® Windows® XP with Service Pack 2 (Service Pack 3 recommended) or Windows Vista® Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, or Enterprise with Service Pack 1 (certified for 32-bit Windows XP and Windows Vista) 512MB of RAM (1GB recommended) 1.5GB of available hard-disk space; additional free space required during installation (Adobe Captivate cannot be installed on flash-based storage devices) 800x600 screen resolution (1,024x768 recommended) DVD-ROM drive

21. Adobe Captivate 4 Software Features Template

23. The trail was hard to follow.

24. Menu driven instructions are detailed but not extremely user friendly

25. Numerous features with Captivate 4, some of which includes: software demonstrations, quizzes, project templates, customized widgets and scenario simulations

26. Includes text to speech with just one click to do voice-over

28. The 30 day trial would allow time for a review committee

29. Adobe is a recognized and respected company

30. Almost unlimited potential

32. Cost prohibitive

34. Jan Ozer in StreamingMedia.com (2006) states “if you’re creating a quick-and-dirty software demo, or a PowerPoint presentation to post to a Web site, Camtasia is a better tool. On the other hand, if you’re creating interactive demos or training, or a complex software demonstration, Captivate is superior.” Note, I believe 2006 is when the version of Camtasia that my colleagues are using was initially purchased.