Languages Online - Matching Game Maker

About the Matching Game Maker

How the game works

In the Languages Online Matching Game there are two columns. Each column contain six lines. To complete the game the player must drag a line between the matching pairs from each column. The Matching Game Maker allows you type in or record your own text or voice recordings in each column.

Some suggestions about the types of tasks you can make:

Match a question and answer i.e. 'How old are you?' - 'I'm 12 years old'
Match the begining and endings of a sentences. i.e. 'My favourite colour' - 'is blue.'
As a translation task. Match a sentence in the LOTE with the English
A listening exercise. Match a recording of a sentence with the text of that sentence.
A comprehension task. Match a recording of a sentence or statement with a corresponding statement.
Match a sound with a word. i.e. the sound of a dog matched with the word 'dog'.
Complete the sequence. 'Monday, Tuesday" - "Wednesday"

Benefits

When your students make their own multimedia language games, they are practising important skills:

they can revise a wide variety of linguistic and cultural concepts
they are actively using the languages in a fun way
thinking about the purpose and audience of their game, and making decisions about the content
ICT skills: file management and creation, making voice recordings, sourcing and saving images, understanding different file types

Using the Matching Game Maker games can be made in any language. Any script (for example Arabic or Japanese) that can be typed on your computer can be used.

When complete, the game is saved on your computer in the location you specify. From here you can copy the game to a disc, memory stick or onto another computer or network to share with others.

The simple step by step design of Game Makers are easy to follow.

In the completed game the player must drag a line between the matching pairs.

Saving and playing your game

The Game Maker allows you to save your game as different types of files, which are described below.

If saved as a web page the contents of the game folder will look like this:

A Matching folder with all the game files

Double click on the web icon to open and play.

If saved as a program file the contents of the game folder will look like this:

A Matching folder with all the game files

Double click on the game icon to open and play.

As a web page

This version of the game will open and play in a web browser. Like other web pages, it can be included as part of an intranet or internet website, or in a digital portfolio. As a web page it can be played on both PCs and Macs.

NOTE: To view and play the game using the the html file your computer will need to have Flash Player 8 or better installed. Most computers will have a Flash Player already installed. If not, it is free and can be easily downloaded. See the Technical information page for more details.

As a program file

This game file does not require a Flash Player or a web browser. It can opened and played on any PC. It cannot be included in a website.

NOTE: Some school networks prevent students from saving 'exe' files such as this one. If you are unsure check with your IT support.

The 'data' folder contains the text, pictures or sounds used in the game. Both versions of the game require all these files to work. If you delete or change the name of any files within this folder the game may no longer work.

Copying, emailing or including your game in a learning management system

As seen above, completed games are made up of a number of different folders and files. When copying, moving or sending a game, all the files and folders must be included.

Copying or moving a game

To copy or move the game, select the game folder, cut or copy it and paste it in the new location.

Emailing a game

To email a game you must first 'zip' the game folder. On most computers, this can be done by right clicking on the game folder and selecting the 'Add to zip' option. This creates a new file (see below). The zipped folder packages all the components of the game together. Attach the zipped folder to your email.

The person who recieves the email must 'unzip' the folder. To do this, double click on the zipped folder and select save. They can then play the game opening the game folder and opening the game page.

A zipped game folder

Including a game in a learning management system

To include a game in a learning management systems (such as Moddle or Blackboard) you must first 'zip' the game folder, and include this as a resource. In most systems you can select the file within the zip you want students to view. In such cases select the game page. When the student clicks on the link the game will open automatically.

Correcting a mistake in a game

The Game Maker allows you to open and make changes to the content of a Matching game. When you load a game into the Matching Maker, you can make the following changes:

Change the text in the game's name
Change the text in the name of the person who made the game
Change the text in any tasks
Change the voice recording or attach a new sound file to any task.

NOTE: When you load a game back into the Game Maker, you cannot change the type of content in each column. For example if your game uses a recordings in the 'question' column and text in 'answer' column, you cannot change it to a game that uses text in both columns. To do that you need to make a new game.

Translating a game into another language

Games in one language can easily be translated into another language using the Game Maker.

For example, to translate a French game with pictures into Italian, load the French game into the Game Maker, change the text to Italian and then save the changes as a new game.

Installation and operation

Intallation

The Matching Game Maker requires the following:

Windows 2000, XP or Vista (all require '.net framework 2.0'. This is standard on 'Vista', and common on the other operating systems. If not installed, a prompt will appear allowing the download and installation of the file. It is free.)
a sound card
screen resolution of at least 800 x 600
256 colours or greater

Installation of software in school systems is often restricted. This may mean that only your IT technician is able to install software. Talk to you IT support about how the software is best installed in your school.

Operation

When completed, a game will save the following files to the folder specified by the user:

If saved as a web page:

A html file
An swf file
MP3 files (the sound effects selected and any sounds recorded by the user)
an XML file (containing all the data entered by the user)
JPEGs files (if pictures are included in the game)

If saved as a program:

An exe file
MP3 files (the sound effects selected and any sounds recorded by the user)
an XML file (containing all the data entered by the user)
JPEGs files (if pictures are included in the game)

Some schools' IT systems prevent students from saving these files. Check with your IT support that students are permited to save these files in their folders on the server. If not, it may be possible to create a new folder without these restrictions where students can save their games.

The default save path for completed games is the users 'My Document' folder. Voice recordings are temporarily saved in the users 'temp' folder. To change these default save paths see the Technical Notes page

File types supported

To attach an existing sound files it must be either WAVs or MP3s. (Note: The Matching Game Maker includes a sound recorder that allows you to record and save your own sound files.)

Version history

Version 1.2

Error in files names corrected so that games will work when uploaded to web servers that are case sensitive
Path notation in XML corrected enabling completed games to be played on Macs

Version 1.1

The font size of the text that appears can be changed.
A short cut to the 'Playback Volume' and 'Record level' panels included.

Further Information and help

At each step of the Matching Game Maker, students can access a detailed 'Help' page by clicking on the question mark icon.

For futher assistance contact the Languages Online Team (languages.online@edumail.vic.gov.au)

Contact: Languages Online Team (languages.online@edumail.vic.gov.au)
Created on: Friday, June 8th, 2007 | Page last updated: Wednesday, June 20th, 2007

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