Speaker: Terry Sims
Candidate for Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Time: 6:10 PM
Place: Trustee Hall 215
Supervisor: Dr. Richard Kopec
Title: Buzz Words

Abstract: The first-grade teachers at Sul Ross Elementary School, in Waco, TX, currently have their ESL students read weekly passages to expand their English vocabulary. Because each teacher has limited time to work with students individually, a software program was needed that allowed the students to work on their own, giving teachers time to work one-on-one as needed with individual students. Buzz Words provides an auditory and a complete the sentence section to help the students practice these new words at their own pace. The program was written in Java to facilitate use on an internal network and allow a reduced version to be used as an applet for external use. Buzz Words was tested by the teachers and select students, who were pleased with the program because of its ease of use and helpful learning. Buzz Words will be incorporated into the curriculum at the beginning of the 2004-2005 academic year.