Saint Michael's College -- Anne's CAN-8 Helper

How can I get an overview of what can be done in CAN-8?
     If you log on to CAN-8 (ask someone to register you if you can't get in using your Mikenet username and "pword" as your initial password) and click on "Access Student Menu," then on "Student Training Exercise," you will see an example of all the different types of pages that can be created.  This exercise, in fact, is more useful for instructors than for students, since most will not be using all the types of exercises presented and can begin them with a simple set of instructions.

Is there help available for us if we're not ready to plunge into the unknown by ourselves?
     Yes!  This year I (Anne McConnell -- amcconnell@smcvt.edu, Ext. 2202) am helping colleagues as part of my teaching duties.  Office hours in the LLRC are Mondays from 2:00 to 4:00 and Thursdays from 9:30 to 10:30.  Feel free to make an appointment at another time, either in the LLRC or in my office.  I also will be giving workshops this semester.

Do I need to bring in my students during class time to use CAN-8?
     No, although it is sometimes best to have them try it for the first time as a group with you present.  Instructors can create exercises to assign as homework, then check students' participation on the Tracking screen.  It is even possible to do testing outside the class time, if certain limits are put into place and if LLRC staff is alerted to the fact, so that they can monitor your students.

What do I do if I have 24 students?  There are currently only 12 computers available.
     This does put limitations on us, and we hope soon to have enough computers available for an entire class.  We do, however, have a good space, with chairs and tables, where the 12 who are not using the computers may stay and study or do assigned work while the other 12 do the test.  This has worked very well, so far, but has limited the length of the test.  Most use CAN-8 only for testing oral proficiency.  When we have more computers, and thus more time for each student, listening comprehension can be added on.

I like my students to record dialogues from time to time.  Is this possible?
     Yes, if you warn the LLRC staff to set this up when you reserve the LLRC for your exam.  They can attach two headsets to each computer.  Only one student will log on to her account, but you will be able to hear both.  Since the computers are so close together, we have found that it is still good to divide the class, and only use 6 computers at a time, so plan length accordingly.

How do I put a new exercise or test onto the menu?
     Unfortunately, instructors cannot put new menu items in, and until there is a menu item for your test or exercise, you will not have the planning screen necessary.  Contact a System Supervisor (Anne McConnell -- amcconnell@smcvt.edu, ext 2202 --, Jeremy Gilpin -- jgilpin@smcvt.edu, ext 2381 --, Sue Breeyear -- sbreeyear@smcvt.edu, ext 2821) to have the menu item put in, designating the place you want it and the title.
     If no Supervisor is available, I have created a "Construction Site" on the Instructor's Menu.  Go there, and you will find menu items with blank planning screens.  Plan your test or exercise there, then let the Supervisor know where you want it to be transferred, with what title.

How do my students gain access to my exercises and tests?
     They must be registered in CAN-8 and in your course (and section, if applicable).  Students in Modern Language courses (110, 210, 235, 241) are registered for you at the beginning of the semester.  For ESL students, whose course schedules are different, you must  first create your new class (see instructions), then register your students for that class (see instructions).  Your students must have a Mikenet account and password.
     CAN-8 is available to students and instructors on the computers in the LLRC (STE 215).

How do I remember what letter prefix to use for different types of pages (multiple choice, listen and record, etc.)?
     You will begin to remember the ones you use most frequently quite quickly.  You will always remember to start with an "I" followed by the title of the exercise (or of a section of the exercise).  For a quick reference, you can print out the "Handy Page" on the subject.  If you need more explanation, you can click on the link to the LSE CAN-8 manual and go to the section on Planning.

I forget the maximum size graphics accepted by CAN-8.
     They can be at the most 320 pixels wide and 240 pixels high.  It is simple to change the size in Microsoft Photo Editor, which is installed on our computers at SMC.  Currently, CAN-8 accepts graphics only in the Bitmap (*.bmp) format.  When the upgrade is installed, it will accept JPEG files, which take up less space.