Designing Your Own Software
Jana A. Brill · IALLT Journal of Language Learning Technologies · 1991
The lack of sufficient or adequate foreign language software, particularly at the intermediate level and for the IBM PC, has been previously discussed in CAI/CAL literature as one of the barriers to the use of the new computer technology by foreign languagestudents. 1 Only recently has it been stated that the situation has improved (Smith 1989).Not surprisingly, it has also been noted that some faculty, " ... almost always underestimating the work ahead, will begin to write new software packages tailored to the special needs of their students" (FIPSE 1988).This is generally regarded as an interim solution.The FIPSE group notes that in the future, "Most software and most good ideas for using it will not be homegrown; they will have to come to the institution from external sources" (FIPSE 1988).In the meantime, as individuals or small teamsattempttofill the gap, there is much overlap of effort primarily because, "The chain of dissemination is not yet well connected" (FIPSE 1988).This article will attempt to add a link to that chain by describing the design and development of one such "homegrown" effort, and its use in intermediate-level university classes.The Authoring Language.Observing the distinction made by Jones (1988) between "authoring language" and "authoring system," French Verbs In Context was written with the help of the authoring language TEACHPRO, developed by CATSCO of Santa Barbara, California.The primary difference between a "system" and a "language" is that some programming is required for the latter.CATSCO provided the Vol.24, No.1, Winter 1991