Frequently Asked Questions
What is MediaKron?
MediaKron is an interactive web application developed for BC faculty to use in their classrooms. It is a password-protected Flash application which allows faculty to present multimedia content through multiple interfaces. The most popular interface is the Slideshow View, in which various media is displayed in a slideshow fashion. Students can move forward or backward through a slideshow of items, such as images, audio, video, and pdfs, and decide which they would like to click on and view in more detail with accompanying text. Other features include a compare function, in which two different items in detail may be compared side-by-side, a map and timeline feature, and also tagging, which allows the professor to tag specific items across multiple topics into unique groupings, thus creating another slideshow to view.
Where can I find digitized media (audio and video streams) for my MediaKron project?
CD's and videos need to be digitized before they can be uploaded into your MediaKron project. If you are searching for digitized media, please email eteach@bc.edu.
I added an audio or video stream into my MediaKron project. Why does nothing happen when I click on the corresponding icon in the "Slideshow View"?
The audio and video streams in MediaKron are run through RealPlayer. Please make sure you have the latest version of RealPlayer on your computer. You can download the latest version at: http://www.realplayer.com.
What is BC's policy concerning the use of copyrighted material in MediaKron?
MediaKron provides a password protected environment, so the same Fair Use guidelines which apply to disseminating material in a class setting apply to posting material in MediaKron. BC's policy concerning copyright issues is in accordance with U.S. Copyright Law as applied in the Agreement on Guidelines For Classroom Copying in Not-For-Profit Educational Institutions With Respect to Books and Periodicals, stated under the instructions on course reserves. There is a wealth of information available regarding copyright and academic institutions. If you are interested in these resources, contact the staff of Instructional Design and eTeaching Services at eteach@bc.edu.
Can I create links in the text associated with my content items?
Yes, you can easily create links in your text descriptions. To create a link, highlight the text you want to have linked, and click on the icon pictured as a chain.
A new window should open, and here you can enter the link and the target. The latter is the browser window in which you would like the link to open. It is recommended that you choose the second option, "Open in new window." If you do not choose this option, then links will automatically be opened in the same window as your MediaKron project, and it could be difficult for students to navigate back to the project.
A map/timeline isn't relevant to my MediaKron project. Do I need to include them?
No, you do not need a map or a timeline to create a successful MediaKron project. Maps, timelines, tags, and topics are all tools available for you to organize the content in your project. You may pick and choose which tools are beneficial to you when developing your MediaKron project.
Do all of my items need to be assigned to a topic?
No, each item in your MediaKron project does not need to be assigned to a topic. In fact, it may be beneficial for you to vary the way your content is organized, particularly if you are developing a large project. Instead of creating a long list of topics which could potentially be overwhelming to students, you can be creative with the tagging, map, and timeline functionalities. Items not associated with a topic can still be viewed through any of these methods of organization.