Click here to see Text Match sceenshots.
Click here to see Picture Match screenshots.
Click here to see Sound Match screenshots.
Click here to see Pic-Sound screenshots.
Click here to see Grid Match screenshots.
Click here to see Mix & Gap screenshots.
Click here to see Dialogues screenshots.
Click here to see Multi-Choice screenshots.
Click here to find out how to order TaskMagic.
Click here to view the order form in Welsh.
Click here to find out about prices and licences.
Click here to access the TaskMagic2 Trial Download
Click here to access the free 'Home Use Only' pupil version of TaskMagic Play.
Click here to download ready-made games and exercises.
Click here for some other free stuff.
Click here to read reviews, testimonials and feedback on TaskMagic.
Contact Us
Australasia Customers please click here for contact and website info.
US customers please click here for contact and website info.
Click here to update your version of TaskMagic or to read about the latest additions.
 
September 2009 - TaskMagic2 Update to version 2.1.6
September 2009 (ii)
Fixes for the following issues:
• Attempting to save the associated Text Match file from the Find It! screen in Dialogues and Mix&Gap generates a runtime error and causes the program to close.
• File name limit in the Rename option of TaskMagic File Viewer too low (was 30 characters, now increased to 50).
**NB. These fixes only apply to TaskMagicCreate, so there's no need to update TMPlayHome. The latest version of TMPlayHome can be downloaded from the home version page.
If you have TaskMagic2 version 2.0.0, 2.0.1, 2.0.2, 2.1.0, 2.1.1 2.1.2, 2.1.3 or 2.1.5 (version info appears when you run TaskMagic) and you would like to update to the latest version of TaskMagic2 (2.1.6), you can update by downloading the latest versions of the executable files and replacing your existing ones. Please read the instructions below.
TaskMagic2 Update Instructions:
(1) Click on the download link above to begin the download of TM2Update.zip
(2) Once this is downloaded, unzip it. This will create the 2 files: TaskMagicCreate.exe and TaskMagicPlay.exe
(3) Copy these files and paste them into your TaskMagic2 directory, replacing the existing versions. The TaskMagic2 directory should be C:\Program Files\TaskMagic2\
If you would prefer to be sent a new licensed TaskMagic2 CD, we will be happy to provide one at a cost of £30 + VAT. Simply email us your school details, or send a school order requesting a replacement TaskMagic2 CD.
For information on updating TMPlayHome, the free 'home-use-only' version of TaskMagic Play, go to the 'home-use-only' page.
September 2009 - TaskMagic2 Update to version 2.1.5
September 2009 (i)
TaskMagic2 is now compatible with Internet Explorer 8 for downloading files with images / sounds attached over the internet.
Fixes for the following issues:
• Problem with text/screen resizing in Mix Single.
• Clicking Help button in Next Letter 1 and Next Letter 2 generates an error and causes the program to close.
• Save errors in Grid Match.
September 2009 - New Primary French Units
We've produced a downloadable unit containing hundreds of TaskMagic activities for Unit 1 of the new KS2 French Schemes of Work. The unit consists of an htm index page which links to individual games / exercises / activities in a suggested learning sequence. See the Ready-Made activities section, or click here.
August 2009 - Reviews & Feedback Updated
The page containing links to reviews of TaskMagic and user comments has been updated for the first time in a long time. See the reviews & feedback page.
June 2009 - AS / A2 French Vocab TextMatch Files
A total of about 2000 French to English vocab items based on the AS / A2 vocab lists available at www.frenchteacher.net/alevel/alevelvocab.doc
You have the option to download a zip file for each topic, or one zip containing all the files. See http://www.mdlsoft.co.uk/TMActivities.htm
(These files were made in a matter of minutes using the Multiple TextMatch Maker mentioned below.)
June 2009 - TaskMagic2 Multiple TextMatch Maker
A new downloadable extra program for those with licensed versions of TaskMagic2. The Multiple TextMatch Maker allows you to create a whole load of TextMatch files from a single list of hundreds of matching items, which can be copied and pasted from web pages or Word documents. See the other downloads page for more details and to download this TM2 freebie.
May 2009 - French GCSE Vocab - 105 Text Match files in one download
Click here to download a zip file containing 105 French GCSE Vocab Text Match files, as well as copies of the Football, TowerBlock, FlashCards and Jump! special editions, so that you can access nearly 2000 French GCSE Vocab items at once. See the Other Downloads page for more details of how to set up and use the TaskMagic Special Editions (which require the user to have a licensed version of TaskMagic2).
May 2009 - Updates to Football, TowerBlock, FlashCards & Jump! Special Editions
As well as being able to access all TextMatch files within a particular folder, you can now specify which files within a folder to use as the basis for your games, or alternatively which files to exclude. See the Other Downloads page for more details.
April 2009 - Free Executable Demos of Text Match / Mix & Gap
Free demo programs with sample content, which can be used by anyone, which demonstrate the kinds of files that can be created within Text Match and Mix & Gap in TaskMagic2. Free for all.
The Text Match Demo contains 20 sample files which allow users to try out all of the interactive exercises and worksheets available in Text Match in TaskMagic2. See the Text Match or Other Downloads pages for more information.
The Mix & Gap Demo contains 7 sample files which allow users to try out all of the interactive exercises and worksheets available in Mix & Gap in TaskMagic2. See the Mix & Gap or Other Downloads pages for more information.
April 2009 - Free Zips - Football / Jump! / TowerBlock
Free zip downloads for various subjects (e.g. French, Geography, Literacy, Numeracy, Science, German, Spanish). Each zip contains 3 exe files: Football / Jump / TowerBlock. Please see the 'Other Downloads' page for more details. Free for all.
March 2009 - Free TowerBlock Special Edition for TaskMagic2 Users
TaskMagicTowerBlock - special edition allowing you to practise / revise the contents of multiple TextMatch files. Please see the 'Other Downloads' page for more details.
February 2009 - TaskMagic2 Update to version 2.1.3
February 2009
Minor adjustments & improvements
December 2008 - TaskMagic2 Update to version 2.1.2

December 2008

 

 

 

 

December 2008

New Browse facility in TaskMagicCreate: On the TaskMagicCreate front page there is a new button which launches a TaskMagic file browser. You can quickly see the contents of all of your TaskMagic files, print a copy of the contents for your records, rename files, or open the file directly so that you can edit it or try out the games and exercises.
New Blank Grid Worksheet in Grid Match: Print out a blank grid with row and column headers, and use it for listening, reading, writing, battleships, 3 in a row etc.
Grid Match answers are no longer case-sensitive, so missing an initial capital letter no longer scores as an incorrect answer.
New Right/Wrong Answer Feature in Flashcards: For those occasions when students are reviewing the vocabulary in order to test themselves, there are now 'right answer' and 'wrong answer' buttons. Students look at the first half of the pair, see if they know the answer, then click the next button. If they got the answer right they click on the tick button, and if they got it wrong they click on the cross button. Wrong answers are repeated again at the end of the sequence.
Space Bar / Return Key to move on in Flashcards so that you don't have to click on the button.
Accent screen stays on top once you've opened it, so you don't have to click the Accents button each time you want to add an accent.
Resolution of the following issues in the previous version:
• Pelmanism & Dominoes worksheets printed on two pages on some printers.
• Drag & Match exercise not available in Text Match files with sound attached.
• Screen resizing / display problems on notebook computers with 1024x600 screen resolution.
• Text items not visible on Grid Match front page after resizing.
December 2008 - Free Special Editions for TaskMagic2 Users
TaskMagicFlashCards, TaskMagicFootball, TaskMagicJump - special editions allowing you to practise / revise the contents of multiple TextMatch files. Please see the 'Other Downloads' page for more details.
October 2008 - TaskMagic2 Update to version 2.1.1

October 2008

 

 

 

 

October 2008

New exercise type in Mix & Gap and Dialogues: Find it! - allows the teacher to select pieces of text from the original text to use as the basis for a "Find the French for.." exercise (or Spanish, German, Italian or whatever!). Or you could ask questions about the text, as long as the answer can be lifted directly from the text.
New Find it! worksheet in Mix&Gap and Dialogues.
If you create a Find it! exercise, you can click on a link to automatically create a Text Match exercise based on your prompts and selected text items. This means that if you are working on a text and you want to practise vocab from a text, you can do it all at the same time. You type or paste in your text in Mix&Gap, the program creates up to 18 exercises based on the text including the Find it! exercise. You click the Tools button to create the Text Match file and you have access to up to 21 more exercises practising the vocab you have selected from the text.
New Dominoes worksheet in Text Match, Picture Match and Grid Match.
Mix&Gap will now accept texts of over 250 words (there is a limit of 500, but the text can get pretty small with some of the exercise types if you go as high as 500 words).
Quick Input option in TextMatch and Dialogues in TaskMagicCreate, making it easier to type or paste in a whole list of vocab or a whole dialogue.
New voice record / playback facility for some exercises with sound. This can be found on the TMPlay front pages for Sound Match, Pic-Sound, Mix&Gap (when there's a sound file), Dialogues (when there's a sound file), Multi-Choice (when there's a sound file), and also on the Flashcards page in Sound Match and Pic-Sound. You can hold down the rec button to record to the computer, release to stop recording, and click the play button to play back the sound you have recorded. This allows you to listen to a sound file, record your own voice and compare your recorded version with the original. The sound level depends on the audio settings on your computer.

In Mix&Gap Gap-fill, you can now opt not to make the list of missing words available. Particularly useful if you've included a sound file.

July 2008 - New TaskMagic Yahoo Group
Click here to join TaskMagic
Click on the Yahoo button to join the TaskMagic Yahoo group.
Keep up-to-date with the latest developments in TaskMagic.
Share ideas and resources with other TaskMagic users.
If you're already a member of the TaskMagic yahoo group, visit the group homepage at http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/taskmagic
July 2008 - Free Vocab Test Program for TaskMagic2 Users
Please see the 'Other Downloads' page for more details.
September 2007 - TaskMagic2 Update to version 2.0.1
September
2007
Improved screen resizing.
Improved text formatting for worksheets.

Resolution of the following incompatibility issues relating to Internet Explorer 7 and Windows Vista:
• Space character was not visible for some gap-filling exercises.
• Problems with sound playback.
• Problems recording the length of sound files.
• Problems opening files directly by double-clicking or by hyperlink.
• Problems opening files with pictures and sounds attached over an internet connection.

January 2007 - Launch of TaskMagic2

January 2007

 

 

 

 

January 2007

 

 

 

 

January 2007

 

 

 

 

January 2007

Launch of TaskMagic2

The additions to TaskMagic2 (ie. the differences between TaskMagic2 and TaskMagic1) are listed below:
6 new screens in Text Match: Flashcards (allows students to look through the matching items and test themselves); Hangman; Doors (a simple 3D maze where students have to answer questions correctly to open doors); Snake (students have to find the matching data in snake form in a grid); Invaders II (students have to zap the blocks as they fall by clicking on the correct letters); Maze II (students have to steer around a maze avoiding monsters, zapping the missing letters).
7 new screens in Picture Match: Flashcards; Hangman; Doors; Snake; Invaders II; Maze II; Pic Reveal (game for 1 or 2 players - students reveal parts of a picture and try to identify it)
6 new screens in Sound Match: Flashcards; Hangman; Doors; Snake; Invaders II; Maze II
5 new screens in Pic-Sound: Maze; Invaders; Spin; Flashcards; Doors
5 new screens in Mix & Gap: Click & Fill (students can click at any point in the text and type the missing letters - free letters and 50/50 are available); Word Guess (students guess the words in the text - timer available as reminder); Anagrams (students click on word in text made up of anagrams and put letters into correct order); Snake; Invaders II
4 new screens in Dialogues: Space; Click & Fill; Word Guess; Anagrams
New exercise group called Grid Match: this allows teachers to create games and exercises based on information typed into a grid. This is ideal for verb conjugation work, and produces up to 22 different exercises: Flashcards; Drag & Match; 3 in a Row; Against the Clock; Pelmanism 1 Player; Pelmanism 2 Players; Multi-Match; True or False?; Maze; Invaders; Spin; Tower Block; Pool; Type; Football; Snake; Invaders II; Maze II; Doors; 3 in a Row II (game for 2 players / teams based on the whole grid of up to 60 items); 5 Counters (as 3 in a Row II but each team only has 5 counters); OXO (ie. noughts and crosses).
More worksheets
All game screens now automatically fill the screen at any resolution (with a minimum of 800x600), whereas previous versions only displayed 800x600 pixels. This makes TaskMagic2 much more useable with an interactive whiteboard.
More user-friendly tools in the editing screens for the match exercises, meaning that items can now be moved around, deleted, columns switched etc with ease.
Data Import: On the edit screens for match exercises it is now possible to import data, so that, for example, a group of pictures used for a particular pic-match exercise can be imported easily to a pic-sound exercise. Likewise with soundfiles and text items.
Individual game files: As well as saving the main TaskMagic file for a particular exercise, within most exercise groups it is now possible to save individual game files. Teachers / webmasters can then create links to individual games rather than to the exercise front page.
Files open over internet: It is now possible to save htm files for TaskMagic exercises containing images or sounds, so that these can be opened directly over an internet connection. (See the pic-match links here - obviously these require you to have installed and run a version of TaskMagic2 before they will work properly). So you are no longer limited to making text-only files available to download.
TaskMagic1
TaskMagic1 Update History
TaskMagic1 is no longer being updated, but if you have a licence for TaskMagic1 and you do not have the latest version (June 2005), please see the information below about all of the updates to TaskMagic1 prior to June 2005 and scroll down to download the last exe files of TaskMagic1.
Free upgrades are not available from TaskMagic1 to TaskMagic2. However, holders of TaskMagic1 licences can take advantage of our upgrade discounts for a limited period. Click here to find out more.
All of the information below refers to TaskMagic1
 June 2005
(1) New front page screens for each exercise group in both TaskMagic Create and TaskMagic Play, so that the user can click on a screen image to access the exercise, rather than using an “Exercise” menu. These front pages allow the user to view the exercise contents before beginning the activities.
(2) Front pages have a “Worksheets” button in TaskMagic Create and TaskMagic Play.
(3) Instructions buttons on every exercise screen, explaining how to complete the exercise.
(4) If you open an exercise from a hyperlink or by double-clicking on the file, you go straight to that exercise's front page. When you close this front page, TaskMagic closes (so that you don't have to click on Exit in TaskMagic Play each time).
(5) A sound file can be included in Dialogues activities.
(6) All Millionaire games have been replaced by a new game: “Tower Block”.
March 2005
‘Football’ in Text Match, Pic Match, Sound Match & Pic-Sound. 2-player / team game.
‘Next Word’ in Mix & Gap. This new exercise requires students to reconstruct the original text word by word by selecting from the 10 alternatives.
An improved scoring system for Next Letter 1 & 2 in Mix & Gap.
September 2004
‘Millionaire’ in Pic-Sound. (16th June 2005 - Millionaire no longer available - replaced by Tower Block.)
‘Pool’ in Pic Match, Sound Match & Pic-Sound.
‘Type’ - a new exercise in Text Match, Pic Match & Sound Match, requiring students to type in the missing words. Worksheets also available in Text Match & Pic Match.
New ‘Pelmanism’ worksheets available in Text Match & Pic Match.
New centralised worksheet printing facility for Text Match, Pic Match, Dialogues and Mix & Gap.
Text-only exercises downloaded over the Web can now be opened and edited in TaskMagic Create.
16 character word-length limit in Mix & Gap increased to 30 characters following requests from Germanists!
February 2004
TaskMaster changed to TaskMagic to avoid legal issues over trademark and to avoid confusion.
TaskMagic includes one new exercise type in Text Match - “Pool” - a multiple choice type activity based on a pool table. Definitely one for the boys!
Text-only TaskMagic exercises will now open over the internet. So you can make hyperlinks to .mdl / .mdd / .mtx / .mdm files anywhere on the web as long as they have no sounds or pictures attached. See examples of how this works here. Files with sounds and pictures attached can be opened only on a local area network (LAN) or individual machine.
November 2003
TaskMaster Create and TaskMaster Play have both been re-vamped to make them more “whiteboard-friendly”. This includes larger (and auto-sizing) fonts and numbered / lettered text and image boxes.
New addition to Sound Match: Millionaire (16th June 2005 - Millionaire no longer available - replaced by Tower Block.)
TaskMaster files are now executable. This means that double-clicking on any TaskMaster file will open that file in TaskMaster Play. Simply run the new TaskMaster Create or TaskMaster Play to enable this facility. NB:TaskMaster Create and TaskMaster Play should be kept in the same directory for this to operate properly (by default they are installed in the same directory during setup anyway).
The benefit of having executable files is that it is possible to set up links to TaskMaster files from word documents or web pages, provided that the files are located on a LAN and not a web server. You can create topic front pages with links to existing TaskMaster files, Word docs, Web pages, etc.
August 2003
A new addition to the Mix & Gap exercises: “Space” requires the student to click on the text to insert spaces and punctuation.
A new look to many of the other Mix & Gap exercises.

July 2003

Addition to Pic Match: Millionaire
Additions to Mix & Gap: Next Letter 1 (type in the next missing letter), Next Letter 2 (type in the next missing vowel), Millionaire. (16th June 2005 - Millionaire no longer available - replaced by Tower Block.)

June 2003

A version of ‘Who wants to be a millionaire?’ available in Text Match. Ideal for individual work on PCs, or for whole-class work using data projector / whiteboard. (16th June 2005 - Millionaire no longer available - replaced by Tower Block.)
April 2003
When creating exercises, users can choose between English and Welsh as the main output language for instructions, prompts, buttons and feedback for their exercises.
March 2003
Difficulty (speed) setting in the Invaders games in Text Match and Pic Match
January 2003
New exercise format called Pic-Sound, similar to Sound Match. It enables you to produce exercises based on matching sounds with pictures.
Updating TM1
Updating to the June 2005 version of TaskMagic1
If you have a version of TaskMagic1 issued before 16th June 2005 and you would like to update to the latest version of TaskMagic1, please read the instructions below.
You can update your pre-June 2005 version of TaskMagic by downloading the latest versions of the executable files and replacing your existing ones. The files are contained in one zip file. The downloaded file is: TMUpdate.zip
The downloaded file is a zipped (compressed) file which, when unpacked, creates 2 files:
TaskMagicCreate.exe
TaskMagicPlay.exe

READ THE UPDATE INFORMATION BELOW:

(1) Click on the download link above to begin the download of TMUpdate.zip
(2) Once this is downloaded, unzip it using winzip, winrar or similar. This will create the 2 files: TaskMagicCreate.exe and TaskMagicPlay.exe
(3) Copy these files and paste them into your TaskMagic (or TaskMaster) directory. This should be C:\Programs\TaskMagicCreate\ (or C:\Programs\TaskMasterCreate\).
(4) If you are updating from TaskMaster, you will need to amend any shortcuts so that they point to TaskMagic rather than TaskMaster. To do this, right-click on the shortcut, click on “properties”, click on the “short-cut” tab, and change the file names in the “Target” box to “TaskMagicCreate.exe” or “TaskMagicPlay.exe” accordingly. You will have to do this for both TaskMagicCreate and TaskMagicPlay shortcuts.
(5) If you would prefer to be sent a new licensed TaskMagic1 CD, we will be happy to provide one at a cost of £30 + VAT. Simply email us your school details, or send a school order requesting a replacement TaskMagic1 CD.
OR... Why not upgrade to TaskMagic2?
See details of our limited period upgrade discounts on our prices and licences page.
Click here to go to the TaskMagic Home Page.