UNIT 11

USING MULTIMEDIA FOR WEB-BASED CALL ACTIVITIES

Please read
1. Davis, R. S. (2002). How to build a multimedia website for language
study. The Internet TESL Journal, Vol. VIII.
No.2. http://iteslj.org/Techniques/Davis-MultimediaSite/
2. LeLoup, J. W. (2000) Enhancing Authentic Language Learning
Experiences through Internet Technology. ERIC
Digest. http://www.ericfacility.net/databases/ERIC_Digests/ed442277.html
3. Morrison, S. (2002). Interactive Language Learning on the Web. ERIC
Digest. http://www.ericfacility.net/databases/ERIC_Digests/ed472851.html

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
2. Learn to use some common JavaScripts that language learning websites may
need:
- opening a new window in the body
- mouse-over - a pop-up box in the menu
- mouse-over - an expanding menu with layers
 - mouse-over - an annotation box
- mouse-over - a text change
- instant word lookup (including "double-click function to any word on the page"
and "Dictionary Lookup Box")

Online Dictionary

Word:

by: Look it up

- Google free web search and free site search

Google Search

WWW Emily Chen's CALL Website

***Do it Yourself!
Now let's make a simple webpage using
JavaScript.
Please use the text as an example.
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

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

***Do it Yourself!
Now let's edit an image using IrfanView.
Please use the image bear as an example.

3. Use PhotoImpact 8 [PowerPoint Slides]

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

***Do it Yourself!
Now let's edit images using PhotoImpact 8.
Please use the four images as examples:
heart, apple, book, funny

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/moviemak
er2.mspx
- Ulead VideoStudio: 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 PC-Home for other video editing freeware/shareware
download: http://toget.pchome.com.tw/index/multimedia_maker/index_t1.html ht
tp://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 Edu Ware and Game Ware download.