Principles applicable to the production of CALL-ware: learning from the field of Human Computer Interaction (HCI)

To transform pedagogically sound classroom tasks into effective CALL-ware, it is advantageous to have an approach that takes into account the general principles applicable to all human computer interaction (HCI). This paper outlines an attempt at such an approach. Teacher-designed, pedagogically sound software often fails in terms of usability, while highly usable, professionally made software is often based on ideas that are not in accord with those of a particular curriculum or teacher. The approach outlined below may assist in the process of transforming pedagogic materials and practices already successfully used in the classroom into easily usable software.