Generator program for computer-assisted instruction: MACGEN. A software tool for generating computer-assisted instructional texts.

Abstract

This publication describes MACGEN, an interactive development tool to assist teachers to create, modify and extend case simulations, tutorial exercises and multiple-choice question tests designed for computer-aided instruction. The menu-driven software provides full authoring facilities for text files in MACAID format by means of interactive editing. Authors are prompted for items which they might want to change whereas all user-independent items are provided automatically. Optional default values and explanatory messages are available with every prompt. Errors are corrected automatically or commented upon. Thus the program eliminates the need to familiarize with a new language or details of the text file structure. The options for modification of existing text files include display, renumbering of frames and a line-oriented editor. The resulting text files can be interpreted by the MACAID driver without further changes. The text file is held as ASCII records and as such is also accessible with many standard word-processing systems if desired.