USING BOXMIND

Where To Use Boxmind

Currently, the software is freely available for use by members of staff of the University of Leeds on a PC in the Learning Development Unit. Demonstration video, transcript and slides are available for those wishing to try out the software.

The PC can be booked by contacting Rebecca Shaw, the Unit Secretary. First time users may wish to ask Joanna Brown to be available to guidance during their session.

Departments that wish to use Boxmind extensively may wish to purchase their own copy of the software. Contact David Gardner for the cost licences at the University of Leeds .

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The Process

The following is an overview of the process of using Boxmind. Detailed instruction is available from the help menu in the Boxmind software.

As described in the first page, Boxmind presentations comprises four main elements:

Video. This is the filming of a lecture, an experiment, a discussion etc. The video controls all other elements, as it contains the timings against which the other elements synchronise.

Slides. These fulfil the same purpose as slides in a traditional lecture. They can be images or textual.

Transcript. This can be the verbatim copy of what the video says, structured with headings, paragraphs, etc. Alternatively, they can have embedded images and links to web sites.

Bookmarks. These provide viewers with the navigation aids, and link to the video segments.

When the e-lecture is published it produces an HTML file and related files that can be viewed using Microsoft Internet Explorer. Advanced users may wish to edit the published HTML to provide extra features.

Once you have gathered your materials you are ready to put them together using the Boxmind software. To do this you need to

• Import the slides, based on the preparatory slides made for the lecture.
• Import the transcript, typically by importing the prepared txt or rtf files.
• Import the video files.
• Build the e-lecture segments bringing together the video footage, slides and transcript.
• Publish the e-lecture, locally to a hard disk or to a server for intranet or Internet access.
  

Usernames and passwords for publishing are supplied when you use the software.

PC Requirements to view the presentation are:
Windows 2000/XP - None
Windows NT/98 - Internet Explorer 5 or above (5.5 or 6 recommended), and Windows Media Player 6.4 or above.

The presentation may be created for use on the web
or CD-ROM.

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