Computer Assisted Language Learning and Teaching

Instructor: Chi-Fen Emily Chen  陳其芬

Department of English

National Kaohsiung First University of Science and Technology, Taiwan

Unit 11.  Using Multimedia for Web-Based CALL Activities

11.1    Introduction to Web-Based CALL Activities

11.2    How to Build a Multimedia Website

11.3    Introduction to JavaScript

11.4    Introduction to Flash

11.5    Creating and Editing Images

11.6    Recording and Editing Sounds

11.7    Recording and Editing Videos

11.8    Developing Web-based Activities/Courses

11.1    Introduction to Web-Based CALL Activities (from LeLoup, J. W. (2000) Enhancing Authentic Language Learning Experiences through Internet Technology. ERIC Digest.)

1. Why create your own web-based language learning activities?

- Accessibility: By putting course material on the Web, teachers provide students with 24-hour independent access to course information, and updates to Web pages and new assignments are immediately available to students.

- Renewability: Once created, materials can be updated easily and as often as needed.

- Adaptability: Web-based activities can easily be modified to support students at different proficiency levels or with special needs.

2. Types of web-based activities:

- Developing reading and writing skills with webquests, discussion forums, and weblogs.

- Developing communication skills with emails and online chat.

- Creating vocabulary and grammar exercises with JavaScript and Flash.

- Creating Listening comprehension and pronunciation practice with audio clips.

- Creating online language learning activities/courses with web authoring software.

11.2    How to Build a Multimedia Website (from Davis, R. S. (2002). How to build a multimedia website for language study. The Internet TESL Journal, Vol. VIII. No.2.)

1.   Survey existing websites.

2.   Deciding on the purpose and objectives of the site

3.   Determining limitations and users' reactions to technology

4.   Securing the right equipment

5.   Preparing the content

6.   Recording and editing media files

7.   Encoding the media files for the Internet

8.   Making the media available to users online

9.   Playing the media files

11.  Troubleshooting playback problems

11.  Evaluating your work and being willing to revise

11.3    Introduction to JavaScript
 

There are many websites providing a variety of free JavaScript codes for website developers to use. All you have to do is to learn how to copy, paste, and modify those codes to meet your own needs.  But before learning how to use JavaScript, you need to have basic knowledge about HTML (HyperText Markup Language).

1. Let's learn Basic HTML first.

Also, there are many HTML tutorials and HTML code glossaries on the Web:

- NCSA - A Beginner's Guide to HTML

- HTML Basics 111

- Dave Raggett's Introduction to HTML

- HTML 語法教學

- HTML 語法大全

2. Learn to use some common JavaScripts that language learning websites may need:

- opening a new window in the body 開啟新視窗

- mouse-over - a pop-up box in the menu 選單說明視窗

- mouse-over - an expanding menu with layers 階層式選單

- mouse-over - an annotation box 文字說明視窗

- mouse-over - a text change 整段文字變換

- instant word lookup 查字功能 (including "double-click function to any word on the page" and "Dictionary Lookup Box")

	Online Dictionary
Word:
by:	WordStarts withEnds withDefinition

- Google free web search and free site search 利用Google搜尋(含站內及站外)

WWW Emily Chen's CALL Website

3. Below are some useful JavaScript Collection websites:

•    English websites:

- Webmonkey JavaScript (including JavaScript tutorials and code library)

- JavaScript Kit (including JavaScript tutorials and free Scripts and free applets)

- JavaScript City

- The JavaScript Planet

- BlueShoes JavaScript

•    Chinese websites:

- JavaScript 程式庫

- JavaScript 收集/教學

- JavaScript 魔法師

- JavaScript 下載

- JavaScript 視窗小技巧

11.4    Introduction to Flash

1. Learn Flash Basics [PowerPoint Slides]

2. Below are some useful Flash Introduction Websites:

- Flash Basics (from the Pennsylvania State University)

- Flash Tutorial (from EchoEcho.Com)

- Flash Basics and Drawing (from CBT Cafe)

11.5    Creating and Editing Images

1.   Make use of royalty-free images from online clipart resource sites.

2.   Use IrfanView (free image viewing and editing software)

      Download the IrfanView: http://www.irfanview.com/

- IrfanView Tutorial (from Instructional Endeavors)

- Resizing Large Images Using IrfanView (* Note: 72 pixels = 1 inch)

- IrfanView Tutorial

3.   Use PhotoImpact 8 [PowerPoint Slides]

Download PhotoImpact 8 trial version from PChome:  http://toget.pchome.com.tw/intro/drawing_imageprocess/11305.html

4.   More image editing software you may consider using:

- ACDSee (download the trial version from PChome: http://toget.pchome.com.tw/intro/drawing_view/6.html)

- Adobe Photoshop: http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/main.html

- Paintshop Pro: http://www.jasc.com/products/paintshoppro

- PhotoSuite: http://www.roxio.com

- Also see PChome for other image editing freeware/shareware download:  http://toget.pchome.com.tw/index/drawing_imageprocess/index_t1.html

11.6    Recording and Editing Sounds

Read "Sound recording for language teachers" by the Association of University Language Centres http://www.aulc.org/resources.html

Sound recording and editing software:

- Sound Recorder: It is supplied with Windows. Rather primitive, only basic operations

- Audacity (freeware): Allows for all the basic features of editing, and copes with different formats, and will even import MIDI. http://audacity.sourceforge.net

- Free Download MP3 Sound Recorder Software, Audio Recording, WAV Recorder, WMA Recorder: http://www.sound-recorder.com/download.htm

- GoldWave: http://www.goldwave.com.  Download the trial version from PChome http://toget.pchome.com.tw/intro/multimedia_musicmaker/3163.html

- Wav Compressor:  A freeware that can compress WAV files while maintaining high quality or convert them to Mp3. http://www.droopyeyes.com/default.asp?mode=ShowProduct&ID=11  or download it from PChome http://toget.pchome.com.tw/intro/multimedia_transfer/17570.html

- r8brain 1.6 : A freeware that can convert WAV files and give high sample rate conversion quality in combination with comparably small processing time. http://www.voxengo.com/r8brainpro/ or download it from PChome http://toget.pchome.com.tw/intro/multimedia_transfer/18581.html

11.7    Recording and Editing Videos

- Movie Maker is bundled with Windows XP (free download) http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/moviemaker2.mspx

- Ulead VideoStudio (會聲會影): http://www.ulead.com/vs/runme.htm

  Or download the trial version from PChome http://toget.pchome.com.tw/intro/multimedia_maker/3727.html

- Adobe Premiere: http://www.adobe.com/products/premiere 

- VideoWave: http://www.roxio.com

- VCDGear: A freeware written to extract MPEG streams from CD images, convert VideoCD files to MPEG, correct MPEG errors, and create (Super)VideoCDs. http://toget.pchome.com.tw/intro/multimedia_transfer/11282.html

- Also see PChome for other video editing freeware/shareware download: http://toget.pchome.com.tw/index/multimedia_maker/index_t1.html http://toget.pchome.com.tw/index/multimedia_videomaker/index_t1.html

11.8    Developing Web-based Activities/Courses

- TrackStar, produced by the University of Kansas (http://trackstar.4teachers.org/trackstar/)

  TrackStar helps teachers to create online lessons and activities. Simply collect Web sites, enter them into TrackStar, add annotations for your students, and you have an interactive, online lesson called a Track. Create your own Track or use one of the hundreds of thousands already made by other teachers.

- Web Worksheet Wizard, produced by the University of Kansas (http://wizard.hprtec.org/)

  This web-based utility allows teachers to create a lesson, worksheet or class page on the World Wide Web.

- Project Poster, produced by the University of Kansas (http://poster.hprtec.org/)

 This tool allows students to create and post Web pages for projects.

  * Note: There are other free online tools and resources produced by the University of Kansas.  Please check their website http://www.4teachers.org/ for more information.

- Nicenet - Internet Classroom Assistant (ICA) (http://www.nicenet.org/)

  It provides free web-based learning environment for classrooms, distance learning programs and collaborative academic projects. ICA is a sophisticated communication tool that brings powerful Web-based conferencing, personal messaging, document sharing, scheduling and link/resource sharing to a variety of learning environments.

- Teacher's Desk: It offers free EduWare and Game Ware download.