We can’t send you the CourseReader in a big fancy CD-ROM box.  We simply don’t have the resources. We’re teachers and programmers who are trying to promote an educational tool that everybody, even those in developing countries, can use effectively. And anyways, big fancy CD-ROM boxes are not environmentally friendly. 

             So you will have to download the CourseReader from here.  Once you have downloaded the installation file you can pass it to anybody who wants to use the program. Remember: the CourseReader is offered free of charge.  All you have to do is accept the Open Source License.

             You should print this page and refer to it during the installation.

             The CourseReader is a 1.2 MB program but because it needs another program (called the Java Runtime Environment) in order to operate the total size of the file you will have to download is 7 MB. So unless you have a fast connection to the Internet you should use a quick file download program.  This page includes instructions for installing a quick download program on your computer.

             You will only have to install the large CourseReader file once.  When new versions of the CourseReader are available you will be able download a very small file.

Member Information Form

     Before you download the CourseReader please take a minute to fill out our Member Information Form. If we are going to improve the CourseReader as a communicty we need to know who is using the program.  We promise to never release this information to anybody.

CourseReader Membership Form

Instructions for Installing the CourseReader

(The following is for Windows users.  For a Macintosh installation file click here)  

Step 1. Quick Download Program

            If you do not have a quick file download program, you should install one.  This program will allow you to download the CourseReader installation file (and other files you may want to download in the future) more quickly.  The program also allows you to download the CourseReader installation file in sections.  If you stop the download (or a disconnection stops it for you) you will be able to re-start at the exact point that the disconnection occured.  If, for example, you have a time-limited connection to the Internet you could download the file in three or four sections - even over a number of days.

             Instructions for installing a quick download program

           Once you have installed the quick download program go to Step 2.

Step 2. Installing the CourseReader

             Click on the link below.  If you have installed a quick download program it will start the download automatically.  Take note of what directory the file is being downloaded to. The PC version of the file is called CR_installation.exe After the file is downloaded, click on it and the installation process will begin. It would be best if you accepted all the file locations that are suggested during the installation.

Once the installation is complete, click on the CourseReader program choice on the START menu. To begin the program click on CourseReader

CourseReader Installation File

Installing the CourseReader

Download instructions for installing the CourseReader

Using the CourseReader

Download a QuickGuide to using the CourseReader