Hi,
I'm interested in developing an interactive CD to teach the fundamentals of grammar such as noun, verb, adjectives, adverb...etc. Thus, i have a few questions to ask. Please fell free to share some insights into this materr.
1. What is the most suitable software to use?
2. Is it possible to use Macromedia Flash?
3. Will students' motivation level in learning grammar increase with the help of an interactive CD?
4. what kind of instruments (tests,etc) should i use to analyze the effects of interactive CD on students' understanding of the basics in English grammar.
thank you.
DEVELOPING INTERACTIVE CD TO TEACH GRAMMAR
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Hi Zarlina
Sounds like a great idea. This is my 'area' so to speak, so feel free to keep on asking away at any points in the future. I'm a Linux junkie so my philosophy is to make my ideas freely available (which doesn't mean that I or you or anyone else shouldn't make a few quid out of them in the process
)
To answer all your questions:
1) I'd be inclined to say Flash, because the learning curve is much shorter and the result is a lot nicer to look at than similar efforts in Java or C++ unless you've got an art department and a six-figure development budget. Some would suggest Macromedia Director, but again it's a little unwieldy and can place some fiendish demands on the processor - bad news with lower powered PCs.
2) Yes, you can. You make a projector (.exe file) which sits on top of the OS and runs as-is - in short, you're not dependent on whether the users have Flash plugin or not. This is a one-click job. The only thing to remember is that you MUST state on the CD cover in a relatively prominent position that you used Flash to make the software.
3) Depends on the design. I'd be inclined to say yes by default but there are a number of things you can do to make sure of it. Flash is great with its use of colour and movement: I've seen similar things done in JavaScript and even MS PowerPoint but they looked like harder work under the bonnet than they'd have been in Flash.
4) As many as possible (learning styles and all that). When you say 'analyse' do I sense a research project here? If so, you might be better off going through the web and writing to a database. This is cheaper and not as difficult as it sounds.
Feel free to email or pm me any further ideas (including .fla files if you like). My fortes are database connectivity and Flash components (making toolboxes that can be adapted to new uses with the minimum of fuss, so making it easier to add and adapt content during development).
Also, I want to make it clear that I have no intention of stealing your ideas if your ultimate goal is to make money here. You can have this in writing if you like. My 'fee', if you found any ideas of mine useful, would be just a brief credit somewhere. And maybe a drink next time you're in London
.
All the best, Al
Sounds like a great idea. This is my 'area' so to speak, so feel free to keep on asking away at any points in the future. I'm a Linux junkie so my philosophy is to make my ideas freely available (which doesn't mean that I or you or anyone else shouldn't make a few quid out of them in the process
) To answer all your questions:
1) I'd be inclined to say Flash, because the learning curve is much shorter and the result is a lot nicer to look at than similar efforts in Java or C++ unless you've got an art department and a six-figure development budget. Some would suggest Macromedia Director, but again it's a little unwieldy and can place some fiendish demands on the processor - bad news with lower powered PCs.
2) Yes, you can. You make a projector (.exe file) which sits on top of the OS and runs as-is - in short, you're not dependent on whether the users have Flash plugin or not. This is a one-click job. The only thing to remember is that you MUST state on the CD cover in a relatively prominent position that you used Flash to make the software.
3) Depends on the design. I'd be inclined to say yes by default but there are a number of things you can do to make sure of it. Flash is great with its use of colour and movement: I've seen similar things done in JavaScript and even MS PowerPoint but they looked like harder work under the bonnet than they'd have been in Flash.
4) As many as possible (learning styles and all that). When you say 'analyse' do I sense a research project here? If so, you might be better off going through the web and writing to a database. This is cheaper and not as difficult as it sounds.
Feel free to email or pm me any further ideas (including .fla files if you like). My fortes are database connectivity and Flash components (making toolboxes that can be adapted to new uses with the minimum of fuss, so making it easier to add and adapt content during development).
Also, I want to make it clear that I have no intention of stealing your ideas if your ultimate goal is to make money here. You can have this in writing if you like. My 'fee', if you found any ideas of mine useful, would be just a brief credit somewhere. And maybe a drink next time you're in London
.All the best, Al
I just finished taking a summer class at a local community college in Flash. It was a 12-week beginning Flash course, offered entirely on-line, in a whirlwind 6 weeks. I think there are a lot of possibilities for writing materials using Flash, and I intend to experiment a bit in the coming months. Good luck on your ventures!
interactive cd
why worry about the software you can use to create a c D.
anyhow from what I have got in the training sessions I attended here in my country, I know that 2 softwares are possible .
the flash, or the dreamweaver.
I personally favour the second as it is easier to manipulate
anyhow from what I have got in the training sessions I attended here in my country, I know that 2
softwares are possible .the flash, or the dreamweaver.
I personally favour the second as it is easier to manipulate
-
Django Cat
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Sat Dec 20, 2003 12:02 pm
CD or Online?
If your making a CDrom which can be used to install the software or run the program from the disk then you would not want to waste your time with Flash and DW which are designed (and are good at) online delivery. I have made a bunch of programs using macromedia Authorware and found it to be the best and most powerful interactive learning software around (its also the most widely used among professional CBT developers) However its specialist stuff and the software costs about $2000+ US, however if you are producing not-for-profit there is a much cheaper academic version, the only difference being a flash screen at the opening which says 'educational use only'.
Its got a learning curve but the programming language that it uses is a lot easier than flash actionscript and there are some very supportive user groups.
Last point. Why?
The world is inundated with point and click grammar teaching programmes.
My two cents worth:
The real question is why are they not more commonly used? Perhaps because there is something intrinsically unsatisfying about doing grammar exercises on a computer?
jon
Its got a learning curve but the programming language that it uses is a lot easier than flash actionscript and there are some very supportive user groups.
Last point. Why?
The world is inundated with point and click grammar teaching programmes.
My two cents worth:
The real question is why are they not more commonly used? Perhaps because there is something intrinsically unsatisfying about doing grammar exercises on a computer?
jon
Re: CD or Online?
I don't know. My students seem to really enjoy doing grammar exercises on the computer, and they don't seemed to be bored with my CALL class either. Hmmjclarke wrote: Perhaps because there is something intrinsically unsatisfying about doing grammar exercises on a computer?
jon
http://fog.ccsf.edu/~lfried
Just to throw my 2 cents in...
FLASH is a great format, and not only for online usage. FLASH 7 comes with various quiz type templates in the library.
I'm just an amateur, but you can check out an exercise I did with FLASH here: http://www.angelfire.com/az3/webenglish/sandw.html
I also did my homepage in FLASH here: http://www.angelfire.com/az2/webenglish
Another tip: If you find FLASH difficult, you could try SWISH, which is easier and also outputs in .swf format.
FInally, as to whether students find online grammar exercises boring... just make sure there is a variety of types such as drag and drop, unscramble the sentences etc., and don't let them do the exercises in a 'vacuum'. With the right support, they'll love you for it.
Emile
FLASH is a great format, and not only for online usage. FLASH 7 comes with various quiz type templates in the library.
I'm just an amateur, but you can check out an exercise I did with FLASH here: http://www.angelfire.com/az3/webenglish/sandw.html
I also did my homepage in FLASH here: http://www.angelfire.com/az2/webenglish
Another tip: If you find FLASH difficult, you could try SWISH, which is easier and also outputs in .swf format.
FInally, as to whether students find online grammar exercises boring... just make sure there is a variety of types such as drag and drop, unscramble the sentences etc., and don't let them do the exercises in a 'vacuum'. With the right support, they'll love you for it.
Emile