Collaborative Workstations


collaborative workstation

The ISU library provides access to collaborative workstations for students working in groups on projects and presentations. Seven workstations dedicated to this function are now located on the first floor of the Cunningham Memorial Library.

students working at collaborative workstationWorkstations are available to the south and west of the Reference Desk, enabling students to collaborate electronically. The workstations provide access to specialized software available specifically for group work, namely, DENIM, Concept Map, and MindManager. Microsoft Project 2002 will be added shortly. Also available are standard library resources such as Microsoft Office Suite, SPSS, Adobe Photoshop and Citation 8. Video, sound and image editing software is also available at these workstations.

Groups of two or more students wanting to work collaboratively at these workstations can do so on a first-come, first-served basis.

kidney-shaped collaborative workstationSoftware Available

Concept Map allows users to create concept maps. Concepts can be linked to each other for organizational purposes. Images, video, text and web pages can be imported from other sources and added to the map. Maps can be shared collaboratively and securely using user names and passwords. More information, including free download, can be found at this URL: http://cmap.coginst.uwf.edu/.

DENIM helps web site designers in the early stages of design. It supports sketching input, allows design at different refinement levels, and unifies the levels through zooming. It allows for the creation of site maps and storyboards. More information, including free download, can be found at this URL: http://guir.berkeley.edu/projects/denim.

MindManager is a visual tool for brainstorming and planning. It allows you to create mind maps-diagrams that show hierarchical branches emanating from a core concept or idea. Mind maps can be used to diagram any project you can represent using tree structures. Refining your map and adding features like symbols, hyperlinks, and multicolored text is also available. MindManager can export your maps to create a PowerPoint presentation or an html web page of your work. Text can also be exported into Microsoft Word for a text-based outline view. More information (but no free download) can be found at this URL: http://www.mindjet.com/index.php.


To watch a video clip on these stations in use pick the speed and viewer:

Real Player: LAN/DSL    56k
Windows Media: LAN/DSL    56k


panoramic view of collaborative workstation area