Audios/a001.mp3 Graphics/Scr001.jpg Buenos dias mi amigos! I thought that I would use this format to share my thoughts about the software aspects of the NOS VEMOS project. Audios/a002.mp3 Graphics/Scr002.jpg Graphics/Scr002A.jpg First off, my limited knowledge of how to teach languages suggests that we need to engage students in an audio, visual, and textual format. Thus, I am suggesting that we use the format that you are presently viewing. Don’t worry about the present graphics, color schemes, and navigation buttons as these will be adjusted to the NOS VEMOS format later. Audios/a003.mp3 Graphics/Scr003.jpg Secondly, I am suggesting that we only use Macromedia Flash or Flash compatible software for the entire project. I make this suggestion based on the facts that Flash is ubiquitous and extremely flexible. The Flash browser plug-in is now the second largest installed browser plug-in in the world. This implies that a web-based form of the NOS VEMOS is practically machine-independent and we are not vendor constrained. Flash can also be compiled with no additional effort for CD-ROM, DVD, hard drive, and PDA delivery. There are rumors that a cell phone version is being developed. Hence, we get considerable bang-for-the-buck by sticking exclusively with Flash. Audios/a004.mp3 Graphics/Scr004.jpg This presentation is being driven by a Flash programmed engine that assembles videos, audios, graphics, and Flash movies into a common format. All the instructional developer needs to do is gather and assemble the various format files. Once all the files are prepared, the instructional designer simply prepares a list of the sequence in which the files are to be presented. In this way, various production tasks can be accomplished by experts in their respective fields and the content experts can then assemble the results into a pedagogical solid learning module. Audios/a005.mp3 Graphics/Scr005.jpg Videos/movie002.swf Presently, this engine has two slide formats. The one you are presently viewing presents a silent Mr. Ed video clip along with a textual graphic. I refer to this format as the small/medium stage format as it contains a small and medium sized stage. We can place either a video clip, JPEG graphic, or Flash movie on either stage. Thus, the small stage may contain a photograph while the medium stage displays a textual graphic. Several other combinations are possible by simultaneously displaying any one of the three formats on the two stages. Audios/a006.mp3 Graphics/Scr006.jpg The second format in this engine is illustrated here. It consists of a single large stage on which video clips, JPEG graphics, of Flash movies are played. This tends to be the format that gets the most use in a learning module since it is easy to prepare and can convey considerable information. Audios/a007.mp3 Movies/ExampleQuiz.swf This is an example of a large stage format on which a Flash movie is being played. This movie is an interactive movie designed to let the student exercise his or her knowledge. Audios/a008.mp3 Graphics/Scr008.jpg Additional formats can be designed to meet any particular requirements of the NOS VEMOS project. Audios/a009.mp3 Graphics/Scr009.jpg Learning module production using this system is not too dissimilar from video production. Content experts and instructional designers begin by building a storyboard using simple pencil and paper forms. Once the storyboard is completed, the video, audio, and graphical production crews can proceed to produce the clips associated with each slide while the instructional designer prepares the sequencing instructions. Once all the elements have been prepared, edited, and proofed, software experts can prepare the final module for web-based or media delivery. But, the whole process begins with and is keyed around a storyboard. Audios/a010.mp3 Graphics/Scr010.jpg Movies/heart.swf Those are my current thoughts about this project. We are basically ready to go once the storyboards and the various media clips are made available. We will be redesigning the navigation system so that it streams rather than having to click to proceed to the various pages. We will also be adding pause/play and volume controls to the system to accommodate the special needs of the NOS VEMOS project. These will be ready before we break for the summer. Audios/a011.mp3 Graphics/Scr011.jpg Please send me any thoughts that you may have about this approach to the NOS VEMOS software modules. HASTA LA VISTA!