Design of multimedia listening software: Instructions, tasks, texts and self-assessment tests

Abstract

In this chapter, the principles and guidelines that should be borne in mind when designing and developing some digital elements such as ‘instructions’, ‘tasks’, ‘(reading) texts’ and ‘self-assessment tests’ in interactive multimedia listening software (MLS) for second/foreign language learning (SLL/FLL) are focused on. The stages of software design and development are categorized into six separate stages: (1) feasibility, (2) setting up a team of experts, (3) designing, (4) programming, (5) testing and (6) evaluating (Turel & McKenna, 2013, pp.188-190). Each stage as well as each digital element of interactive MLS is vitally important in the design and development process of cost effective applications. A wide range of principles and guidelines need to be taken into account at each stage as well as in the design and development of each element so that we can design and develop every single digital element of interactive MLS efficiently. As a whole, all of these can enable us to design ideal and customised/adapted MLS for SLL/FLL.