What’s New in Version 5?
The most significant changes include:
Easier to purchase, variable duration subscriptions with prices starting at $10
One application for both individual purchasers and subscription holders
Exportable lessons for use on an iPhone, iPod or AppleTV.
Links within the text can launch other modules
Instant access when you buy a subscription
MUCH faster load times for users with big libraries of modules
How can I export a video lesson?
Module authors can choose to make their movies exportable on a per topic basis. If a video is exportable, a “Save This Topic to Desktop” item will be enabled in the File menu. Exporting the movie creates a .mov file on your desktop, which you can then save to another device. The “Save Module to Desktop” will export all exportable movies from that module to the desktop in a folder with the same name as the module. The individual files will have the same names as the topics with numerical headings. Drag that folder into the iTunes playlist area and you can view the video content of the module on any of Apple’s video enabled devices.
Must I update to version 5?
Eventually, yes. Version 5 has many new features that are unavailable to users of version 4, so you will want to move soon. While version 4 will continue to function for some time, we will not be adding new modules to that library, as many of the new features are not backward compatible. All of your old modules will work with version 5, so there is no reason not to move to version 5.
Even in version 5, it seems like my modules are loading slowly. What should I do?
The first time you open version 5, it will load at the same speed as previous versions. After that you should see a dramatic speed increase if you have a large library of modules. If not, “Check for Updates” and get the newest versions of all installed modules. This will speed things up.
Which modules are free if I don’t have a subscription?
The Modules menu now contains a “show free modules” menu item. When you select this item, the list returned will include all free modules.
How do I purchase a subscription?
Choose "Buy or Extend Subscription" from the Subscription menu. When you do so, a dialogue will open directing you to select the subscription you want to purchase and offering you the option to have the subscription automatically renew.
What happens when I buy a subscription?
When you buy a subscription you get immediate access to the entire library while your purchase is processed through our reseller, Kagi. Later, you receive two e-mail replies: one from Kagi confirming the payment, and one from Created Equal with a serial number. Save the email containing the serial number in the unusual event you’re prompted for a serial number.
What is the benefit of auto-renewing my subscription?
Significantly lower prices! You will be prompted by email before your subscription automatically renews in case you want to cancel.
What happens to my subscription if I change computers or have to reinstall my software?
Your subscription’s still good. However, if you switch computers, or have to reinstall TeachMac or TeachIT on your machine, you will need to know the email address you used when you bought your subscription. Entering the email address you used to purchase the software will allow our database to verify your subscription and allow you appropriate access. You may also be prompted to enter the subscription code.
So, how do I purchase an individual module?
Easily. Download TeachMac and install it. Purchase an individual module by selecting a title, then choosing “Purchase module” from the Module menu or just double click on the title to start the download. You will be prompted to pay the fee after the download is complete and you may cancel the purchase if you change your mind. The module will remain on your computer but will be unusable until payment is received.
Why does my module play so quickly?
Check to see if your Kiosk Controls are turned on. You may have made the module self-playing (by clicking on a Kiosk Control play button on the lower left.) If the Kiosk Controls are visible, go to the View Menu and select them to hide them.
If the Kiosk Controls are hidden and the movies still go by too quickly, remember that you can pause movies by clicking the pause button on the movie control bar.
How do I back up my modules?
Back-up your modules by selecting Backup All Modules under the File menu. This will create a file called TeachMac Modules, followed by the back up date.
How do I share modules?
Feel free to share your custom modules. Sharing one of ours produces a large file—tell the person you’d like to share it with to download the module. To share a module, click on its title, then select Share this Module from the Modules menu. This will bring up a save dialogue box. Once you’ve saved your custom module, you can share it as you would any other file: e-mail it, burn it to a disk, move it to an external hard-drive, or share it across a network.
What do the Kiosk Controls do?
The Kiosk Controls allow you to make your computer into an automatically advancing learning kiosk. Make a module self-playing by clicking on the play button. Make the module loop continuously by clicking the loop button, and run a self-playing presentation at full screen by clicking the full screen button. These loop and full screen options selected in tandem create a kiosk presentation mode.
How do I turn the Kiosk Controls off/on?
Select Kiosk Controls from the View menu. When selected, three more buttons will be visible on the lower left: a play button, a loop button, and a full screen button. To exit the kiosk mode, press escape. Hiding the Kiosk Controls prevents accidental use.
How can I turn off the music?
Go to the “TeachMac” application menu and select “Preferences.” A window will open that allows you turn off the background audio—remember to hit “save” as well. This will not affect the vocal instruction in the videos, just the music.
That’s really cool music—where did it come from?
Why, thank you. We played around with Garage Band, and you should too.
