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Development of a human-computer interface

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 September 2011

Adrian A Brockett
Affiliation:
Centre for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies, University of Durham, UK
Ian A Clark
Affiliation:
Centre for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies, University of Durham, UK
Owen B Taylor
Affiliation:
Centre for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies, University of Durham, UK

Abstract

In this paper we describe the development of a teaching aid for the intensive study of Arabic text samples. To do this, we consider it more useful to adopt the standpoint of the Human-Computer Interface (HCI) engineer, rather than the educational theorist.

Most of the HCI problems we have encountered spring from unique features of the task domain (which is what HCI practitioners call the restricted world in which the computer-assisted worker lives and moves). All real-world applications have unique features. Not infrequently these loom large enough to dominate the design effort. By discussing what are admittedly unique features of the present project, we shall nevertheless cast light upon the general requirement for appropriate HCI tools and techniques in present-day teaching media. We also aim to share our experience of using HyperCard, running on the Apple Macintosh computer, as a course-authoring system.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © European Association for Computer Assisted Language Learning 1992

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