This is how a typical Hyperstudio project might be undertaken in a class or part of a class. It could be a whole project or part of one. It would be suitable for any class from 3rd class to 6th in the Primary school, or for the Transition year at post primary. Obviously the scope of the language would be different. For example purposes I am pitching the project at fifth class,Primary.

Work away from the Computer

Text

First of all the class should discuss the various topics to be chosen , the church, the local castle etc. Then each pupil could be assigned a specific topic . Then the research begins. Again this will depend on the age of the class and on the sources available. Research like this needs to be treated with caution because children often take chunks of text from books without understanding…this needs to be avoided. In this case a lot of the research could be oral and could be got from grandparents etc. Eventually each pupil would have an article of between one hundred and two hundred words .This could be done on copybooks in longhand, or depending on the availability of computers , in a word processor. I would actually prefer the copybooks and the redrafting could be done in the textboxes in Hyperstudio.

Artwork

Each pupil should be encouraged to provide some graphics for his or her assignment. The graphics would include photographs ,original artwork by the pupils themselves either on paper or on a computer art program such as Kidpix., or indeed within Hyperstudio which includes art tools.
Original artwork by the children themselves could be drawings ,paintings or 3d models . These could then be scanned in or in the case of models photographed with a digital camera.
Photographs could be taken by the children themselves either with a digital camera ,or if one is not available , then with a conventional camera and then perhaps scanned in. The important point here is that the pictures be taken by the children themselves so that they can really assume ownership of the project.
I would like to emphasise here that it is very important to use jpg format or gif format when using either a scanner or digital camera because the file sizes are smaller ,and one should use lower resolution settings for the same reasons. The difference to the picture on the computer screen won't be discernable.The pictures I have were taken with a SonyMavica using the email option(smallest size).
Sounds
You could have a discussion with the class about sounds which might be used. Ask them to suggest short sounds . "Welcome to Clonaslee", "Mullach Abu ", animal sounds etc.Ask each pupil to try and suggest a sound for his/her card.

Work on Computer

Computer graphics using Hyperstudio could be practiced by the pupils ,maybe based on some of their own paper drawings.They should be encouraged to experiment with the various drawing and painting tools within Hyperstudio. They should also be shown the various options for some of the tools. E.G line options , rectangle options, filled, multiple etc.

(Insert tools.jpg , options.jpg , brushoptions.jpg,lineoptions.jpg)
Now we come to the Hyperstudio stack. Make a skeleton stack as in the tutorial and assign one template page to each pupil , say twelve pages and one for the home/index page. The skeleton stack is named "Locality1.stk". Then make button links from the Index page to each card . I suggest each pupil make his/her own button link.

Adding Text
Each pupil could then add his/her heading,title,and body text . If you used a word processor you should show pupils how to copy and past text. Tell pupils to save often.

Adding Graphics
Each pupil could now add his/her graphics.Use the steps suggested in the tutorial to add graphics ,whether photos, scanned images, or computer graphics using Hyperstudio tools.(File,Add clipart, select ,place). Add parts of these images to the appropriate cards. While the "marching ants" are around the image the image may be stretched or resized but be very careful as the picture may be distorted. Advise the children to have saved before adding clipart so that if it doesn't work out they can re open the stack without saving and have the original stack as it was. The presentation may then be tidied by using the paint bucket to fill the gap within the frame.(As is done on the "Castlecuffe card" in "Locality2.stk"
(Insert cuffe.jpg)

Adding Sound
There are various sounds provided on the Hyperstudio CD. These may be added using the button option play sound. When making the skeleton stack sounds could have been added to the buttons on the template page. Recorded sounds may also be added. However sound may be very heavy on memory so short sounds should be used. For instance on this stack we will use the warcry of the O'Dunnes which is "Mullach Abu" as an example. Suppose we want to add this warcry to the page where the picture of Brittas castle is. First we use something as a button to link the sound to. This could be a graphic, an icon or a piece of painted text (Text done with the T in tools), or a hotlink (text). Here we will use a button text and do the following steps.

1.Open the card with the picture of Brittas Castle.
2.Go to the Objects menu and choose "Add button"
3.Choose show name and type in "Click to hear the warcry"
4.Click on OK. Place the button on the card and click outside the button.
5.Choose play a sound from action options
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6.This opens the tape deck. You can choose a prerecorded sound effect or make a recording. We are going to make a recording. (A microphone needs to be attached to your PC). Click on record button, get a pupil to shout "Mullach Abu" and stop when sound is recorded. Don't waste time on either end. Then click OK.
(Insert tapedeck.jpg)

Please remember all the time that in order to work the Hyperstudio stack you must choose the browse (hand) tool.
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There are two stacks you could download to help you. Locality1.stk is just a skeleton stack with button links. You could add the clipart from the "Images" folder.
Locality2.stk includes photos and a sound. Try putting in other sounds.
Have fun with Hyperstudio.

Patrick Bates 2001.