Automatic interviewer frequently asked questions

Automatic Interviewer is an audio/visual recording software that allows users to record interviews or presentations for evaluation, practice, and archival. The interviewer inputs a series of questions or prompts. Each interviewee can read the question and record a response.

In the current version, AI is only available for Macintosh operating systems. Current specifications include the following:

• An Intel or Power PC Macintosh computer running OS 10.4 or higher
  
• A screen resolution of a least 1440 x 900 pixels
  
• A minimum of 500 megabytes of RAM
  
• An attached or internal video camera

The interviewer creates a folder to hold the interview movies, chooses video and audio quality settings, and inputs questions. The interviewer can even enter interviewee names and passwords in advance or leave that up to the interviewee.

There is no limit to the number of questions to be posted at one time. The computer’s memory is the limiting factor as to how much can be recorded.

The Interviewee locates their username on the introductory screen or creates a new account. Then, he or she enters the assigned password or creates a new one. The interview screen then appears. The interviewee can view their just recorded response and rerecord it if they want.

AI has many applications within a school setting. In the classroom, the instructor can enter interview questions or prompts into Automatic Interviewer. Students log into the program and record answers to each question. Once complete, the teacher and/or the class can view the responses to one or all of the questions by an individual student or the whole class.

AI has been used for evaluation purposes. Researchers set up interview questions and had subjects answer the questions on their own at their own pace.
Professionals have used AI to practice for conference presentations. There are likely numerous other purposes to which AI can be applied. Its uses are as varied as people’s needs and creativity.

Professional development is possible, but not required.

Twenty dollars (US$20).

Automatic Interviewer is available as a download from the Curriculum Research & Development Group (CRDG) web site at www.hawaii.edu/crdg/ai

You can either lower the quality settings for the video and audio that is recorded or you can add more memory to your computer. Most people find that the first option is better. If you have the skills to add more memory, feel free to pursue that option. Or, take your computer to a licensed computer technician.

Place the camera in a location so that a window or open door is not behind the interviewee.

Make sure that the audio setting are set properly. You’ll need to go to system preferences in the Apple menu, then Sound (under Hardware). Check the input settings.

Yes. The interviews are captured as Quicktime .mov files. They will be located inside of the folder that the interviewer set up at the beginning. These Quicktime .mov files can be imported into any movie software editing program like iMovie, iDVD, and Final Cut.