Research on New Developmental Methodologies for Componentware-based Educational Software Creation

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This research concerns methodologies allowing teachers to produce their own computer-based educational materials more easily and rapidly, so that computers can be utilized evermore effectively and efficiently in their classrooms. As one of means of realization of this goal, we have proposed a componentware methodology, and have developed fifteen components and three application programs for English as a Foreign Language. We have continued researching componentware methodologies, and have now created a wide variety of new components, and have categorized these components into two main groups: basic components and high-level components. Basic components allow teachers to develop complicated CALL applications with a few simple programming statements. High-level components are, for example, independent applications not requiring any additional coding tasks. We have also developed new application software for college students using these new components. This software enables vocabulary study to be further integrated into English for Academic Purposes (EAP) reading classes, encouraging accelerated comprehension of the target academic language by the student. Following a pilot study of this software, we found that the user interface of the software could cause some confusion to computer beginner students. Therefore, we are currently improving this interface. We are going to continue this research based componentware project, so that teachers are better able to produce their own educational applications for their classrooms as easily as they might produce educational materials using a word processor.