Creating Web-based Action Mazes with Quandary Faculty Technology Showcase-Spring 2003 Institute for the Study of American Language and Culture (ISALC)

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According to its authors, Stewart Arneil and Martin Homes, "Quandary is an application for creating Web-based action mazes. An action maze is a kind of interactive case-study; the user is presented with a situation, and a number of choices as to a course of action to deal with it. On choosing one of the options, the resulting situation is then presented, again with a set of options. Working through this branching tree is like negotiating a maze, hence the name 'action maze.' Action mazes can be used for many purposes, including problem-solving, diagnosis, procedural training, and surveys/questionnaires."

I used Quandary with a group of advanced-intermediate ESL students in a class called "Computer Projects." After familiarizing students with the software, they were free to create a Quandary action maze on a topic of their choice. Projects were evaluated based on creativity of concept, content and quality of writing, implementation of the features of the software, design and appearance of the maze, and mechanics of the writing.

Quandary was purchased with a grant from the Instructional Software Fund. Eight copies are available and can currently be accessed in the Dubach Mac Lab. More information about Quandary, including examples of action mazes in a variety of disciplines can be seen at
http://www.halfbakedsoftware.com/quandary/index.shtml

Here are some samples showing the variety of action mazes that can be made with Quandary:

• From the authors of the program
• From users of the program
• From my students this semester

Created by: krauss@lclark.edu
Updated: 4/25/03