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ESL (English as a Second Language) Learning Objects
- Client
- The Le@rning Federation
- Project launched
- June 27th, 2008
- Concepts
- Accessibility, Gaming and Education, OOP, Scalable Flash Components, Web Optimisation
- Technologies
- Flash, XML
The Le@rning Federation approached Millipede to be part of their ESL project. The intention is to revise existing objects to make them more suitable for ESL users. This is done in three ways: simplifying the language, adding a glossary tool and adding language extension activities.
Scalable glossary component
Millipede created a glossary tool which provides support for ESL users. The Global Multimedia Glossary is a standalone Flash component that can be used by itself or seamlessly integrated with existing digital resources.
It has been fitted to a large number of existing learning objects as a part of the suite of changes that will make these objects more suitable for use by ESL students.
The glossary provides the following information for each item it contains:
- A simple, general definition
- Audio to support pronunciation
- An illustrative contextual example if necessary
The content of the glossary varies depending on subject matter and learning concepts. Content is easily altered by changing the external XML file that contains a list of items and their definitions along with any associated sound files, image files and animations.
In a learning object, glossary words appear as a hyperlink. This word can be selected to launch the definition window, or the entire glossary can be viewed via a ‘Glossary’ button located within the learning object.
As is standard across all TLF learning objects, the glossary tool is keyboard accessible and conforms to the principles of device independence and separation of content and presentation.
Bolt on extension activities
Additionally, we developed a range of extension activities for adding to ESL objects.
Learning object series converted by Millipede for ESL use include:
- Animal search (Glossary tool, flipcard activity)
- Balancing the options (Glossary tool, sequencing activity)
- Directional design (Glossary tool, quiz master activity)
- Garden detective (Glossary tool, flipcard activity)
- Resort rescue (Glossary tool, matching acivity)
- Sunday trading (Glossary tool, quiz master activity)
- Viewfinder (Glossary tool)
These learning object series are for ESL students of varying year levels.