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August 2003
How To: Vocabulary List Case Study
This month we have provided a detailed case study for creating a study list in Scriptorian to learn vocabulary. Although vocabulary learning may not interest you, the process described here can be applied to other areas of learning as well. So, for example, as the new school year gets under way, students can apply the steps and techniques presented here to their own area of study.
The study list produced from this example can be downloaded from the
free download area.
It can be used and expanded with your own vocabulary words, applying the steps noted
below.
Create an empty study list
First we will create an empty study list for our vocabulary words. We do this because we will want to add several words at one time through the library.
From the main menu, select Study List, then Create to display the Create/Edit Study List dialog.
In the Study List Name field at the top of the dialog, enter the study list's name. In this case we will call it Vocabulary.
Click on the Save button to save the empty study list. It should now be displayed in the main window.
Create a library
We will now create a library to hold the study items in that we will create. Remember, all study items are contained in libraries- the study list only points to the items in a library.
From the main menu, select Edit, then Library Manager to display the Library Manager dialog.
Near the top of the dialog, click on the Create button to create a new library.
In the Create Library dialog that appears, enter the name of the new library. In this case we will also call it Vocabulary. Click on OK to create the new library.
The new, empty Vocabulary library will now be displayed in the Library Manager dialog.
Create library items
From the Library Manager dialog, we can now create study items for the new library.
Click on the Create Item button to add a study item to the library.
In the User Defined Study Item dialog, first of all select the Multiple Create check box (since we will do several items in a row), then select the Add to Study List check box. After checking this box, select the study list we created above- Vocabulary- from the list. Doing this will not only add the study item to the library, but also include it in our study list as well.
In the top Reference edit field, enter the name of the word being added to the library. In this case type "profligate"
The larger edit field is the content of the study item. In here we will put the words definition, some synonyms as well as a hint so we can properly identify the word (this will be discussed later). In this example, the following text is entered:
"completely given up to dissipation and licentiousness, wildly extravagant, wasteful with money
Syn: dissolute, licentious, reprobate, self-abandoned, unprincipled, extravagant, thriftless, lavish, improvident, spendthrift
Ends like frigate"
After completing the entry, click on the Save button to save the study item to the library. When you do this, with the Multiple Create check box selected, the dialog remains displayed with the contents cleared and ready for your next entry.
Repeating the preceding steps, entries are added to the library for the words "ephemeral", "nonplus", "supposition", and "auspicious". (see the tips below for creating vocabulary entries)
When all items have been added, exit the User Defined Study Item dialog by clicking on the Cancel button (do this AFTER saving the last entry)
The five study items should now be displayed in the Library Contents list of the Library Manager dialog. Exit this dialog by clicking on the Close button.
The five study items should now be displayed in the Vocabulary study list as well.
Tip: Many useful on-line dictionaries are available for looking up the definitions of words. Many also have audio options available for listening to correct pronunciation. In producing this example, the following sites were used:
OneLook Dictionary Search
Merriam-Webster OnLine
Cambridge Dictionaries
Tip: When creating a hint, it is more effective to use words that end like the word rather than start like the word- rhyming words are ideal but not always possible; also, it is helpful if the spelling is not similar. For example, a word that ends with "-tion" may sound like a word that ends with "-ssion"
Tip: Sometimes it is not very easy to find rhyming words. The OneLook Dictionary Search is a great tool for finding words that end with specified letters. Remember to also vary the spelling.
Add Linx info to study items
When learning vocabulary, it is very useful to learn the words through example sentences. To do this, we will use Scriptorian's Linx feature to add example sentences for each of the vocabulary words.
Click once on the word "auspicious" to hi-light it in the study list. Then select Action, Edit Linx from the main menu to display the Linx Editor dialog.
We will use the Key Word field to hold our "hint" for this word. In the edit control at the top of the dialog, enter Ends like frigate.
Click on the Add button to add a Topix item. In the New Linx Topix dialog, enter a title for this Topix item. In this case enter 1 Ends like frigate to include our hint. Then click OK button.
In the Topix edit field, enter a sentence that uses the word auspicious, but replace the word with '...' (e.g."The team's season looked promising; their first match win, providing for an ... start.").
Click on the Add button again to add a second usage sentence. Name the second Topix item "2 Ends like frigate" and add the example sentence.
Close the Linx Editor dialog by clicking on the Link button. A link icon should now appear next to the word "auspicious" in the study list window. If you want to change the Linx information, you can easily return to the Linx Editor dialog by double clicking on this icon.
Using the steps given above, add usage sentences to the remaining words in the Vocabulary study list.
Tip: When dealing with different forms of a word, you may want to just add the suffix form after the word position. For example, for the word "nonplus" you could enter the sentence "I was completely nonplussed by his reply" as "I was completely ...[sed] by his reply"
Tip: Because many different words can often be used to complete a sentence, it is helpful to add synonyms in the sentence to give a better feel for the context.
Tip: If you are learning a word which you have heard or seen in use, using the sentence that you have heard as a usage sentence will help you remember the word better.
Tip: If you are having difficulty constructing sample sentences, you can search for the word on the internet and see how it is used in different ways. (you may also find, after learning the word's definition, how it is misused!)
Set Chase Options
Use the Study List Options dialog to set specific options for the study list. In this case, we want to use Chase in fill in mode and make sure that we include our Linx data in the mix.
Open the Study List Options dialog by selecting Study List, then Study List Options from the main menu (this dialog can also be accessed from the tool bar)
Select the Chase tab and then check the Use List Specific Options check box. For the Preferred mode, select Fill in entry (in the upper left portion of the Chase tab)
Select the Chase Linx tab. In this tab select the Mix in Linx Topix check box.
Select the OK button to save the option changes and exit the dialog.
The Vocabulary study list is now complete and ready to use in Chase. Give it a try and see what you think!
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