Hot Potatoes is probably one of the oldest freewares focused on teaching. See http://hotpot.uvic.ca/!
TASK:
At the hot pot page go to tutorial. Choose Standard Tutorial for Windows, Start and go to The Potatoes, one by one - JMatch (matching exercises).
Open the HotPot program in your PC, go to the green potatoe - matching exercises.
Explore the possibilities of setting, start creating the exercise, call for help if necessary.
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http://hotpot.uvic.ca/wintutor6/tutorial.htm
HP HotLine:
1. Keep all files in the same folder. Do not change the names after you link them.
2. HP create two types of files:
*.j?? (jcl, jmt...) - "Teacher's book" - can be edited; save it carefully!
*.html - "Students'book", the exported file - interactive, but cannot be edited
3. Save, export, check.
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HotPot Index or Teacher's book:
a place/page which basic information:
1. Target group (proficiency, age)
2. Topic (preferably a list of new vocabulary items you are teaching)
You can create a whole HotPot site, combining and connecting various task formats. This is the suggested order of exercises (Can you guess why?):
1. Matching
- 10 items (target vocabulary)
- if using pictures, set the same height for all of them (e.g. 100 pixels)
- find out how to set the timer, shuffle questions, show a limited number of questions
2. Multiple choice
- 10 questions
- 4 distractors (no mistakes!)
- use sentences, not isolated words
- feedback - additional information, input
Good feedback: motivating, positive, informative
3. Gap fill
- 10 gaps
- context (e.g. a story)
- choose the gaps wisely :)
Tips:
+ Create feedback which is interesting and informative; do not hesistate to include facts from our real life.
+ Do not skip determiners, e.g. articles:)
+ do not hesitate to include images, links, or audio!
HP exercises can be interonnected using the menu Configure - Buttons.
Suggested course of actions:
1. Create HP matching exercise Ex1. Connect it to the index.html. Make sure you have all the files, including images, in the same folder as the exercise. Save, export.
2. Create a HP multiple choice exercise Ex2.Connect it to the index.html. Carefully fill in the feedback! Save, export.
3. Create a HP gap fill exercise Ex3. Connect it to the index.html and Ex1.html. Save, export.
4. Connect Ex1 to Ex2, and Ex2 to Ex3. Save, export.
5. Open your index.html in NVU. Add links to all three HotPot exercises. Save.
6. Upload all files (index.html, Ex1.html, Ex2.html, Ex3.html, all images) to the web.
Do not forget:
+ No diacritics, no spaces in filenames.
+ Save everything you want to put online into a single folder. No subfolders.
+ Regularly save your changes.
FAQ:
1. Do I have to use an authentic text in jcloze (gapfill) exercise?
YES.
Try to find an authentic text which will focus on the topic; some of the target vocabulary items should be included, but not necessarily all of them.
Such a text activates the passive vocabulary of the student, helps them understand the new words in context, and is much more informative than isolated sentences.
Tip: explore primary level sites for native speakers, e.g.
BBC for kids
British Council
Encyclopedia for kids
2. How do I make a good feedback in multiple choice?
Just follow these simple tips:
- DO NOT use capitals, exclamation marks, "NO!" "Unfortunately..." etc.
- be positive :) - do not start the feedback with "Sorry, no..."
- add extra information, eg.
Where do lions live? Chosen answer: "India"
Feedback: "Tigers live in India, but lions live in Africa."
3. How should I set the colour scheme?
- Remember that the text should be easy to read - the font and the background should be constrasting.
- The backgroud itself should not bee too bright, not to tire the eyes.
- study the Color Wheel site
4. What is the HotPot index?
It is a html file which includes links to all three hotpot exercises, and the basic info:
- the author
- the aim of the exercises, e.g. "Teaching the names of family members"
- the target group description, e.g. "Third grade, basic school, elementary level"
