The Hyper-Soc Program for Introductory Sociology

The Hyper-Soc Project		Demo: Sociology Timeline		Introductory Sociology
Hyper-Soc™	Idea Works, Inc.™	MUIIT	Center for Independent Study

Hyper-Soc™

A Hypertext Study Guide & Computerized Laboratory for Introductory Sociology

Select the Figure at Left to Test Your Knowledge of Sociology

A new concept in teaching sociology, HyperSoc gives instructors a computerized knowledge base of presentation screens for lectures. It gives students a computerized study guide, on-line glossary of sociological terms, and personalized interactive laboratory experiences relating sociology to their own lives.

DEMONSTRATION

Select here to view a demonstration of a sociology timeline. This demonstration is an excerpt from the Hyper-Soc program.

FEATURES

Comprehensive scope

Hyper-Soc is not a specialized program for only one part of a course. It includes all topics covered by most introductory textbooks.

In-depth, organized coverage

Includes

Important trends, findings, and concepts

Controversies, issues

Theoretical perspectives

Linkages to other topics

Exercises and discussion questions

Proponents, critics, classics, exemplars References

Glossary

Hyper-Soc includes an on-line glossary of over 1,100 sociological concepts. Hypertext terms can be viewed by simply clicking on them. From anywhere in the program users can scroll a list of terms or type in a partial phrase to view a concept.

Links concepts across topics and chapters

Hyper-Soc encourages students to explore links among concepts, theoretical perspectives, and issues. For example, in the chapter on social interaction, users can select symbolic interaction to view a description of that theoretical perspective. Next, they can view Mead's application of symbolic interaction to socialization. Within that section, they can view a definition of "symbols," and so on. Hypertext linkages cross chapters, perspectives, and applications, helping students integrate these concepts in a way they can never do with a fixed text.

FOR THE INSTRUCTOR

NETWORKABLE - HyperSoc can be installed on campus networks at various sites or run as a stand-alone program.

LECTURE MATERIALS - Use selected screens, data graphs, and interactive experiences to illustrate concepts in lectures. Use hypertext links and glossary search to cover materials in your own sequence and pace, letting you select which topics to emphasize or skip and the level of depth desired

INTERACTIVE SIMULATIONS MAKE GREAT CLASSROOM DEMONSTRATIONS - liven up classroom presentations and stimulate discussion.

LABORATORY SIMULATIONS ARE SELF-SCORING - Students turn in a printout with a summary of their performance. All you do is record the grades. Reduces staffing requirements and prevents grading errors.

COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE of major sociological issues suitable for USE WITH ANY INTRODUCTORY TEXT (Versions tailored for specific texts are available from some publishers--see below.)

CONTENT CAN BE MODIFIED FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION - add your own information, preplanning your lecture sequence, and adding new links among screens. You can strengthen sections of particular interest, refer to work by people in your department, add examples appropriate for your students, and tailor to emphasize concepts of your own choosing. You can even add VGA graphics including scanned images or data graphs. (Authoring module required.)

DISSEMINATE CLASSROOM MATERIALS AT MINIMAL COST to department even for large classes, by incorporating them into Hyper-Soc as additional screens. (Authoring module required.)

MULTIMEDIA PLATFORM. - Can incorporate scanned images, graphics, audio, and even video. (Windows version required)

FOR STUDENTS

LECTURE NOTES & STUDY GUIDE - Students can review materials presented in class at their own pace.

ON-LINE GLOSSARY of over eleven hundred sociological terms, with hypertext definitions available throughout the program.

CONNECTIONS - Hypertext links connect concepts and perspectives across chapters helping students see interrelationships and an organized structure of sociological knowledge..

INTERACTIVE SIMULATIONS TAILORED TO THE INDIVIDUAL STUDENT - over 4 dozen simulations illustrating sociological concepts and perspectives. Linking concepts and perspectives to the student's own characteristics helps motivate students and show how sociological concepts are relevant to their own lives. A complete sociological laboratory for students to experience sociology.

GRAPHS - Over 100 graphs summarize important trends and relationships and illustrate concepts and perspectives.

ON-LINE COACH - Students can turn on an on-line coach to occasionally quiz them on sections they just completed and recommend sections for further review.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS and out-of-class exercises stimulate critical thinking.

EXTENSIVE REFERENCES, including contemporary readings and classics.

ON-LINE TUTORIAL AND HELP FACILITY - walks students through using the program and explains features.

STUDENT MANUAL with installation instructions and summaries of key features and commands.

GRAPHS

HyperSoc includes over 100 graphs illustrating sociological concepts and presenting data. Graphs are selected to highlight important trends in social life.

PERSONALIZED INTERACTIVE SIMULATIONS

Hyper-Soc includes over 4-dozen simulations using the student's personal characteristics, opinions, and beliefs to illustrate sociological concepts and issues. For example, in one simulation, students use sociological knowledge to predict various characteristics of a crime. After students answer each question, they are shown links to the text explaining that issue and the final summary screen gives an overview linking these issues back to the text.

REQUIREMENTS:

MS-DOS VERSION - 640K RAM. Mouse not required but recommended, VGA graphics required to view graphics, CGA or higher permits viewing all text.

WINDOWS VERSION - available Fall, 1995.

TERMS:

The publishers listed below can be contacted for FREE DEMO DISKS, DESK COPIES and student prices. Prices may vary but should be approximately $12.50 per copy to bookstores for orders of 30 or more copies for a single class. Contact the Idea Works, Inc. for information regarding the AUTHORING MODULE.

Idea Works, Inc.™	Order Toll Free: 800-537-4866 100 West Briarwood, Columbia, MO 65203 Tech Support: (314) 875-5827 FAX: (314) 875-5812 INTERNET World Wide Web Page: http://www.ideaworks.com/ideaworks/index.html
Brown & Benchmark	Brown & Benchmark publishes a special version of Hyper-Soc to accompany Human Arrangements: An Introduction to Sociology, by Allan G. Johnson Contact your local Brown & Benchmark representative or your college bookstore
HarperCollins	HarperCollins publishes a special version of Hyper-Soc to accompany Sociology, by Richard P. Appelbaum and William J. Chambliss Contact your local HarperCollins representative or your college bookstore

PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES

Please pass this URL on to colleagues who teach introductory sociology

Copyright © 1995, Edward Brent
Idea Works and Hyper-Soc are trademarks of Idea Works, Inc. HarperCollins is a trademark of HarperCollins, and Brown & Benchmark is a trademark of the Times Mirror Higher Education Group.

This page is still in progress. Please send comments and requests for information to socbrent@showme.missouri.edu