Fundamental English IV
(001202)
English Department, Faculty
of Humanities, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
Unit
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Recommendation:
This courseware is best viewed with IE5+ and at the screen resolution of at least 800x 600.
This courseware was originally designed for delivery on both CD-ROM and the Internet by Aj. Snea Thinsan and Aj. Jaroon Wiroonrat. The contents are partly adapted from the 001202 course, which I taught and coordinated from 1996-2000. Exercises and extra contents in this web-based version have been added, revised and updated by Aj. Snea Thinsan.
The project was sponsored by Chiang Mai University, with its aim to enable teachers to manipulate technology for the delivery of their instruction. Teachers are already assumed as 'the authority of content and are expected to be able to convert what they do in the classroom into something from which their students can learn without the teachers' presence. Yet, it is easier said than done, and the subtle nature of multimedia courseware production cannot be underestimated.
When the students, expected to pick up some skills in English, sit in front of the screen without their teacher nearby, various questions must be anticipated and answered so that students will learn without unnecessary frustration. At the same time, the students' motivation has to be maintained. It is thus both science and art involved in the process of producing a multimedia courseware like this one.
The term 'multimedia' inevitably suggests the added work for the content designers, the scriptwriters, technicians, and the programmers. Several difficulties are also involved in the process. The first very hard decision to be made is what kind of media (video, audio, animation, or pictures, etc.) is pedagogically worth using. Not all types of multimedia serve each learning objective equally. However, without multimedia, the courseware could become extremely dry, or as dry as a boring typical textbook. Another difficulty is when teachers decide to take both duties, both as authority of content and of technical work. The first efforts are quite discouraging and sometimes many teachers give up, but many others find it motivating to take new challenges. Another hard task, multimedia files are not so easy to produce. For instance, an audio file demands various stages of preparation. The script has to be prepared first. Then, the right speaker will need to be identified while appointments with technician are also required. Then, the recording process begins and proceeds with a lot of needed care. The recorded version will then have to be digitized and converted to the right format. The file in the desired format will then be integrated into the whole package. And.... many more. However, our experience has taught us that we need to be a learner while striving for the new acquired (still moderate) expertise.
This project is of a great success in terms of staff professional development and, I hope, a courseware from which students can benefit.
This courseware took only about two months to complete, as demanded by the university. It is thus hoped that there will be further revision of this version. The web-based version will be regularly updated. Please revisit so that the $US 250 fund Chiang Mai University kindly granted will become further profitable.
Snea Thinsan
Content and Script Designers: Snea Thinsan (Units 7-9), Jaroon Wiroonrat (Units 10-12)
Web design & Programming: Narong Khotarasakit / Snea Thinsan
Sound: Anusorn Thakeow
Voices: Lesley, Rod, Peter, Mike, and Pippa
Comments & suggestions: Snea Thinsan. Copyright © 2001 by Chiang Mai University, Thailand