Programs and Applications
Online courses can be developed nicely by using only Canvas as a tool. However, there are many other programs that allow you to develop and present information in different ways and contain functions that Canvas does not. Some of the items produced by these programs can be imported into Canvas or linked from within Canvas. Some are easier to use than others - many have a steep learning curve and a high price tag.
Programs/Applications Useful for Online Development:
|
Type
|
Uses
|
Program/Link
|
Comments
|
Cost *
|
|
Office
|
word processing, presentations |
the standard for Windows and Mac
|
** see below
|
|
|
online workspace sharing
|
Free
|
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| "the free and open productivity suite" |
Free
|
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| interactive, PowerPoint-like Web presentations |
Free
|
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|
Web Builder
|
page and website creation using online content management systems (CMS) | Used to create and edit your college web page. Contact the Web Team to get started. |
Free
|
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| Many free templates and widgets |
Free version
|
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| Similar to Wordpress |
Free
|
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|
Graphics
|
draw (vector, line art) and paint (bitmap) to create or edit art, charts, diagrams | Easy to use; does both vector graphics and bitmap photo editing |
$299.00
|
|
|
Draw and paint programs with tools |
$429.00 | |||
|
Photo Editing
|
crop, resize, use filters |
Free
|
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| Cheaper than Photoshop |
$99.00
|
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|
Sound Editing
|
edit narrations, add effects, remove noise |
Free
|
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|
$199.00
|
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|
Video
|
edit scenes, save in different format, add effects |
MovieMaker/Media Center
|
Free with Windows
|
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|
iMovie
|
Free with Mac
|
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| Cheaper than Premiere Pro |
$99.00
|
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| Sorenson Squeeze | Convert video to Flash video, QT, Real, etc. | Various options | ||
|
Screen Recording
|
motion capture all computer monitor activity and save as video |
Camtasia
|
$299.00
|
|
|
$699.00
|
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|
Free
|
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|
Free
|
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|
Screen Capture
|
capture still photos of your computer screen |
Snipping Tool
|
Free with Vista
|
|
|
$49.95
|
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|
Conversion
|
word to Bb |
$79.00
|
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|
I-Learn
|
Free
|
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Conferencing
|
allows multiple live sources to communicate |
Free
|
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|
PDF
|
create, secure, collaborate using PDF files | Note that pdf is not necessary in Canvas |
$299.00
|
* Note:
- Most of these companies offer free trial downloads (a great way to test and learn software) with various limitations on time and functions.
- You can get significant academic price reductions on first-time purchases at Academic SuperStore and many others (as well as academic pricing direct from Apple, Microsoft, Adobe, and more), but there is no future upgrade path for these (at reduced prices) - you must buy a new version at academic discount price each time which is usually more than the upgrade price. Also, some academic versions include limitations such as mandatory "splash screens" on all creations.
** District Connections:
- Programs available on district server:
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Microsoft Sharepoint Designer
- McAfee Virus protection: free download for home use
-
Purchase Options:
- District's Software for Home