SCHOOL OF EDUCATION

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SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
Designing web-based language learning materials
authoring with Macromedia Dreamweaver and
Coursebuilder Dr Pamela Rogerson-Revell email
pmrr1_at_le.ac.uk URLhttpwestworld.dmu.ac.uk/lancam
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Outline

• TELL
• some pedagogical and technical issues involved in
  producing web-based language learning materials
• SHOW
• how some of these issues have been tackled in the
  production of web-based vocational language
  learning materials, using Macromedia web-based
  development tools, 'Dreamweaver' and
  'Coursebuilder'.

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The role of the language learning materials
developer

• 3 Options
• Become a technical expert (or TE)
• Hand over development to a TE
• Collaborate with a TE

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Dilemma

• How do we combine the advantages of web-based
  delivery with the design capabilities of CD
  ROM-based multimedia packages?
• Decision
• Take a hybrid approach to materials development

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Some advantages of a hybrid approach

• Flexible access
• via access via WWW or CD ROM
•  Flexible editing
• updates instantly accessible to partners and
  users
• Reduced cost and increased mobility
• users dont need to be on-line all the time

• Quick download time
• for CD Rom-based resource heavy files
• Links to WWW
• to create real-time, task-based activities
• to add-on resources (eg on-line glossaries and
  dictionaries, language and vocational websites)
•  Re-usability
• possibility of re-using parts of existing
  materials to produce customised versions

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Some disadvantages of a hybrid approach

• Limitations on activity types
• with HTML compared with multimedia authoring
  tools - links to WWW for real-time activities and
  on-line resources
• Difficult to set up tracking system
• need intelligent tutoring system or link to a
  server-side CMI system or database

• Limited interactivity
• requires sophisticated software or on-line
  tutoring Flexible access

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The LANCAM project

• What is LANCAM?
• Problem limited general sector mobility in
  Europe
• Aim to develop the communication skills needed
  to manage and administer construction project
  contracts successfully in an international
  context
• Product internet/CDROM-based language training
  materials for the construction industry, in
  English, German and Spanish
• Focus key stage scenarios using authentic
  materials on communication, culture and work
  practices
• Partners UK, E, D, DK, I, ECBP, CIOB
•  

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LANCAM materials structure

•  

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Choosing development tools

•  Coursebuilder is described as
• .. an extension application to Dreamweaver for
  creating Web-based learning content and
  intereactive Web pages. Coursebuilder extends
  Dreamweaver with a set of easy to use templates
  and tools that simplify and accelerate the
  development of online learning content.
  Coursebuilder for Dreamweaver is the first visual
  authoring tool developed specifically for
  creating Web-based learning. Learning
  interactions created with Coursebuilder are 100
  Web-native, enabling cross-platform and
  cross-browser delivery without plug-ins or
  applets.
• Macromedia Coursebuilder manual 199912
  Limitations on activity types

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Main development features of Coursebuilder

•  Coursebuilder allows the developer to
• Produce a range of Web-based learning
  interactions
• Provide a variety of user feedback
• Track user performance

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Main development features of Coursebuilder

•  Learning interactions
•  True/false, multiple choice quizzes
• Drag and drop matching exercises
• Explore interactions
• Text entry interactions
• Create buttons, timers and slides

• User feedback
• Adding and customising feedback
• Selecting when feedback is given
• Limit or track the number of tries
• Limit or track the time spent on responses
• Assign a score for an interaction

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Using Dreamweaver and Coursebuilder some
advantages and disadvantages

• Advanced web page design
• Sophisticated web-based learning content
• Cross-browser and platform compatibility
• Tried and tested product
• Technical support and upgrades available
• Can add-in other Macromedia products (eg Flash,
  Fireworks) easily
• No knowledge of programming languages required
• Available in other languages
• Can create and edit templates and customise
  interactivity
• Scoring and data tracking available

• Not entirely WYSIWYG
• Requires considerable learning curve
• Requires version 4 browsers to operate fully
• Quite expensive
• Not designed specifically for language learning
• Fiddly to input non-English text
• Quite complex configuration and limited range of
  activity types
• Need to link to CMI system of server side
  database to record and store user performance