The degree of task difficulty increases with each exercise. Meanwhile the log tracks every mouse click so that researchers can identify which information is selected in learning new words, which is the most effective, and which exercises are most useful for reinforcing word learning. This encouraging feedback may, however, simply be due to the novelty value of the material and to the learners' perception that it has been customised for them as Hong Kong University students. Those who were not impressed by it complained that, being PC users, they were not familiar with the Macintosh environment, while others were simply not comfortable with the computer as a learning tool. Graphics and short videos will be included if they are useful for enhancing the comprehension of the words, for example with medical or architectural terms.
Students can hear the words repeatedly and test themselves as often as they wish.
Provided that the exercises and texts are presented in a clear and interesting manner, Hong Kong learners are generally motivated towards autonomous learning which is also considered a part of their English enhancement courses. Teachers need not feel that they are becoming redundant - far from it. Face to face contact will remain a part of education as teachers are still the nucleus of presenting, explaining and clarifying a multitude of points. Computers can, however, provide excellent support and reinforcement of the learning process. Producing interesting online courses means more than simply uploading existing handouts to a web page.