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

All finished games are saved as a web page with a 'data' folder containing all the resources included in your game. If you like, the Game Maker can package the game folder into a 'zip' file. The two options are described below:

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

The Matching Game Maker requires the following:

• Windows 7, Vista or XP (XP requires '.net framework 2.0'. If it is not installed on the computer, 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. Check with your IT support if you are unsure.

Game Makers must be installed on individual computers. They cannot be run over a network.

Finished games do not need the game maker to be played. They only need a web browser and Flash Player 8 (or better).

When completed the following files are packaged together:

• A html file
• An swf file (the game template)
• MP3 files (when recording new sounds they are tempoarily saved as WAVs and then converted to MP3 when saved)
• an XML file (containing all the data entered by the user)

Some schools' IT systems prevent students from saving these files. If you have problems check with your IT support that students are permited to save these files. 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 paths see the Technical Notes page

Version history

• bug that prevented sound recording on XP fixed
• bug with 12 and 18 pair games fixed

• Windows 7 version
• Game can no longer be saved as EXE files
• XML files now saved as UTF-8 making games compatible with more web server

• Improved save process allows easier navigation to common locations
• No file name required when saving new sound recording
• Panel with accented characters added
• Games can now be saved as a HTML file, exe file (Self executing zip) or standard zip file
• Shortcut to audio control panels now works in Vista

• 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

• 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)