Interactive Language Infused Environments

1. Interactive Language Infused Environments • Session Objective: Participants will see how to create a “virtual” environment that incorporates a CD and physical items that are linked with a bar-code scanner. • Explore rationale for Virtual environments. • Compare types of scanners. • Obtain and learn how to use bar code software. • Review tips for programming and designing successfully. • See and discuss examples! • Discuss individual uses and future developments. • Host question & answer session. Becky Sue Parton – University of North TexasInteractive Language-Infused Environments: Taking CD-ROMS to the Next LevelPresented at AECT Summer Conference – 2004

2. Rationale for Virtual Environments • Young children especially need to manipulate concrete objects instead of only relying on abstract representations. Think of Helen Keller and the water. • Traditionally, teachers will label everything in the classroom (or a center) with flat drawings of signs along with the English word. Those drawings often result in signs rendered incorrectly. • Deaf children often come to pre-school with little language (English or ASL) and thus spend a great deal of time learning vocabulary. Becky Sue Parton – University of North TexasInteractive Language-Infused Environments: Taking CD-ROMS to the Next LevelPresented at AECT Summer Conference – 2004

3. Types of Scanners Becky Sue Parton – University of North TexasInteractive Language-Infused Environments: Taking CD-ROMS to the Next LevelPresented at AECT Summer Conference – 2004

4. Barcode Software Simplest one I’ve found (+ gives a 30 day trial) is the UPC Barcode Maker. Just assign 11 digits, press make, then cut and paste the label. Alternatively, you can buy a barcode font. See www.barcodingfonts.com They also have a trial. http://hem.passagen.se/sams/barcodeu.htm Becky Sue Parton – University of North TexasInteractive Language-Infused Environments: Taking CD-ROMS to the Next LevelPresented at AECT Summer Conference – 2004

5. TIPS !! • IF you use a Cue Cat, make sure you do NOT have the CRQ software. You want a modified one. • If you don’t have the time or money to make barcodes, you can cut the UPC codes off familiar items and just use their numbers in your applications. • For today’s example, I’m using “Director” – you could apply the same concepts with just HTLM pages. • The Cue Cat enters a “return” character automatically. It must be stripped off in order to do comparisons. The Lingo code is: • signword = line 1 of member(“castname”).text No amount of “tips” will solve this! Becky Sue Parton – University of North TexasInteractive Language-Infused Environments: Taking CD-ROMS to the Next LevelPresented at AECT Summer Conference – 2004

6. Examples! Ideas! Future Trends! • “Time for Pets” CD in progress. Show Ex. + Programming • “Exploring Deafness” – possible integration areas. • ASL Playroom, 3d Firefighter (design examples) • Child-created virtual environments (dinos, rainforest) • ESL students (scan link to audio, video, etc.) • Link w/ Sign Smith Studio authorware ? Becky Sue Parton – University of North TexasInteractive Language-Infused Environments: Taking CD-ROMS to the Next LevelPresented at AECT Summer Conference – 2004