CommuniCoach - Frequently Asked Questions

 

How do I record the student activities and how do I get them onto the central computer?

There are many methods and types of hardware that will support the capture of video to a PC file. In the past, expensive cameras and video capture cards were required. While these provide excellent results, they are no longer necessary.

The least expensive method is to use a tool provided in Microsoft’s Windows XP software called Windows Movie Maker. Using this tool, along with a video camera and a cable that connects your camera to the USB port on a PC , you can record a student's video directly to the computer disk. There’s no need to record the video to tape and then transfer it to computer disk. You can record the performance directly to the PC while it is happening.

Any type of camera that can be connected to the PC will work.  A digital camera is not required.  While a digital camera will yield excellent results, you can also use a Web Cam or even an older analog (VHS) camera with a special cable (such as the Dazzle cable from Pinnacle Systems).

Another option is to record the student activity onto video tape and later transfer it onto the computer. The same software, Windows Movie Maker, can be used to transfer from video tape (from a camera or VCR) onto the computer.

 

How many copies of CommuniCoach do I need?

For academic institutions, CommuniCoach is licensed for one department or for the entire institution. This means that when a department (such as a Speech /Communication department at a university) buys a license, they have the right to make as many copies as needed for each instructor and student involved in any class within that department. If more than one department wishes to use CommuniCoach, then a site license is required. CommuniCoach can then be used by any instructor or student in the institution. A department is defined as the lowest level in the organization for which a “department chairperson” position has been established.

Typically, corporate licenses are at the same level as an academic site license.

For more information on licensing and pricing please contact our sales department at 630-955-0033..

 

What type of expertise do I need to install and use CommuniCoach?

Once CommuniCoach is installed it is very easy to use, for both teachers and students.  However, since it runs on a network, and relies on shared resources within that network, we highly recommend that the initial installation be done by an expert familiar with your computer network and your computer hardware.   This is particularly true for the Web version.

Once the initial installation is done, it is very easy for teachers and students to install and run CommuniCoach on their computers.   But, having a computer expert from your organization install the CommuniCoach database and set-up the location for storing the video files will help tremendously.

 

What kind of computers do I need to run CommuniCoach?

The computer hardware and software requirements depend on which version of CommuniCoach you use. The detailed requirements can be found in the CommuniCoach Technology Requirements page of our web site.