Can AMS handle this?....

[jimriley]

....my suspicion is that it can but I'm no expert when it comes to XML.

So here goes.

I have even mocked up a quick flash demo to try to explain what I'm trying to do!
http://www.tutor2u.net/assets/jimwordbuilder.swf

The project:
- The AMS project is a simple one - it encourages teachers to help children build confidence with reading by illustrating how words are built up step-by-step in a logical, phonic progression
- In the main part of the AMS screen, the user is presented with a graphic which resembles a pda/handheld device (that's the blue thing)
- The device has a window in the middle which is used to display letters and words
- There are a couple of buttons on the device which enable the user to move backwards and forwards through a prescribed list of letters and words
- Another button gives the user a chance to reset the device and start again from the beginning on the list
- A navigation within AMS allows the user/teacher to select different lists of letters/words. The selection of a different list would require that list to be loaded so that the device can scroll the relevant content.

Key issues:
- The lists of letters/words are deliberately in order; there is no requirement to allow users to jump around the lists at will (I guess the analogy is a roll of camera film)
- The buttons need to trigger the "next" or "previous" letters/words, or to reset to the start of the list.

I can handle the design & user navigation fine. But how could I create the interaction between the graphic buttons and those lists?

I'm guessing that the lists could be held as an XML file and that an action would trigger the display of items in that file?

Any thoughts would be really appreciated.

Jim
www.tutor2u.net

[Corey]

Hi Jim. Sounds like a great project! There's a variety of ways to handle this. The first thing to decide is how dynamic the lists need to be and whether you wish to interface this with a remote database. Once you've decided that, it'll be easier to narrow down.

So for example if you plan to release an add-on tool which allows teachers to create their own lists, then it will be better to plan for that in advance and construct a modular system starting from the get go. Honestly this sounds like something which could be easily handled using plain text files, which is really quite easy/convenient. As you say XML is also an option but is it strictly neccesary for your application, i.e. would XML files offer a tangible benefit over text files in this context?

Anyhow let me know how dynamic you wish to make these and if they need to interface remotely and I'll offer whatever assistance I can. It really sounds like a worthwhile project.

[jimriley]

Hi Corey - that was quick (even by your rapid-response standards!)

The lists really don't need to be dynamic. There might be 40-60 of them. But the key point is that the student works through each list step by step (in terms of my jargon - the "logical phonic progression").

The remaining navigation within AMS is really about allowing teachers/students to select other lists and perhaps to include some support materials that explain what phonic reading is all about.

I'm wondering too whether there could be a place for the progress meter plugin to allow users to track their progress through the lists (or those they have completed).

The ability for teachers to add their own lists would be a "nice to have"; but not essential. There is quite a skill in producing the phonic progression - that is where the IP of this application really lies. And besides, we could always offer "upgrades" to the basic edition!

It would be fantastic if you'd like to help us with this one Corey. I don't really have a sense for how much time is involved in creating the "device engine" (i.e, text lists and interaction with the device.

Jim

Hi Jim. Sounds like a great project! There's a variety of ways to handle this. The first thing to decide is how dynamic the lists need to be and whether you wish to interface this with a remote database. Once you've decided that, it'll be easier to narrow down.

So for example if you plan to release an add-on tool which allows teachers to create their own lists, then it will be better to plan for that in advance and construct a modular system starting from the get go. Honestly this sounds like something which could be easily handled using plain text files, which is really quite easy/convenient. As you say XML is also an option but is it strictly neccesary for your application, i.e. would XML files offer a tangible benefit over text files in this context?

Anyhow let me know how dynamic you wish to make these and if they need to interface remotely and I'll offer whatever assistance I can. It really sounds like a worthwhile project.

[Corey]

Hi. Yes, I guarantee you can get help for building this here, not just from me either, everyone. Tigger once did an elaborate quiz system in here, some of that code might be re-usable...

Anyhow OK seems to me text files would be ideal. It will be easy to set up. You can time the tests/questions using the page timer, that probably easier than a progress bar considering the context... FYI by using text files teachers can still easily add lists by just typing them into any text file, one word to a line, in order.

I'll create a small sample project for you a bit later similar to your mock up and post it as soon as I get a little time, i.e. this evening. Unless of course someone else beats me to it.

[jimriley]

That sounds great Corey.

Don't think there is a need for a timer function (not yet anyways). I think an application like this would be designed for students experiencing reading difficulties; so the ability to take their time would be important.

Jim

[Corey]

Here's a basic working example. The word list is in the "Docs" folder, it demos how nice and easy it is to use text files for this. Remember, when you are loading files they need to be one-word-per-line, "no extra lines". See the sample list for reference.

[jimriley]

Very interesting - and helpful. Thanks Corey. I see how the text files work (bringing them in using a TextFile.ReadToTable script). Neat. Presumably, If I had, say, 60 different lists, then I could produce some kind of drop-down menu or other navigation that would link into separate text files within the application folders. The ability to add in text lists quite independently is very useful.

I also see how the Paragraph.SetText script works. Again, presumably we could use an Button.Settext or Label.SetText and get a similar effect?

I'm also wondering whether it might be possible to pass the text into a flash animation (to create some nice animated effects of the work appearing/building?)

Jim

Here's a basic working example. The word list is in the "Docs" folder, it demos how nice and easy it is to use text files for this. Remember, when you are loading files they need to be one-word-per-line, "no extra lines". See the sample list for reference.

[Corey]

No problem.

If I had, say, 60 different lists, then I could produce some kind of drop-down menu or other navigation that would link into separate text files within the application folders.

Absolutely. That's a breeze. There's a combo-box add-on for AMS 5.0 at http://www.autoplay.org but AMS 6.0 is coming out very soon (in beta 4) and it includes the combo-box (as well as lots of other new stuff) for free. So if you plan to upgrade to AMS 6.0 (strongly recommended) then you will have a drop down object which could very easily be used to manage your lists.

I also see how the Paragraph.SetText script works. Again, presumably we could use an Button.Settext or Label.SetText and get a similar effect?

Yes, that's also a breeze. It's super easy to serve dynamic text content to labels, button captions, paragraphs, etc.

I'm also wondering whether it might be possible to pass the text into a flash animation (to create some nice animated effects of the work appearing/building?)

Yes, this is easy to achieve using the Flash.SetVariable action.

[Intrigued]

*Shameless Plug*

Corey has put out a training CDs collection and Vol. 3 sounds like the one that really would help you along with AMS-to-Flash-to-AMS.

I really enjoyed it and learned from it ... straight away! It's very easy to consume.Speedy Training

[yosik]

If you build your text files in the same patern, and name these files in a numeric progression (for example), you could automate the whole process, loading the relevant file to a table and using the table elements in your various screen elements (Button Labels, Flash variables, Paragraph text etc...).

It does sound (excuse the pun...) like a very interesting project.

Yossi