We, too, are thinking about the long-range future for our language lab,
which is currently runs Sanako software on hard-wired PCs. Like your school,
we are a mixed-platform 1-1, and pondering the role of handhelds like the
iPod touch in language instruction.
Mixed into this is ambivalence among some faculty about the hold that the
APs have over many of our courses, not just in language, and the cost of
maintaining a dedicated lab at least in part, to support the APs.
It seems to me (personal, not institutional opinion) that dedicated language
labs are becoming relics of a past that is less relevant to the type of
teaching we're trying to move towards. I identified language labs as one of
twenty technologies that will be obsolete in ten years (
taffee.edublogs.org/2010/01/05/obsolete-technologies/) and I recall a
firestorm of emails on the topic on the Language Learning and Technology
Listserv about the topic. As you might imagine, those who manage language
labs in universities are not happy to consider a future without such labs.
But when entering a building phases I think you would do well to think
seriously about both the future of the lab as well as the future of language
curriculum. Hopefully, curriculum design and instruction drives
architectural decisions.
While I have not used this service, being put-off by the price, I would take
a look at Webswami <http://www.webswami.com/> as an online tool to be used
with language instruction. There are also language and recording modules
within Moodle, if you are open to a non-Blackboard solution.
Interesting topic. I look forward to reading more responses.
s
-----
Steve Taffee | Director of Strategic Projects
Castilleja School | staffee@castilleja.org
1310 Bryant Street | www.castilleja.org
Palo Alto, CA 94301 | taffee.edublogs.org
650.924.1040 (Google Voice)
Women Learning, Women Leading
<http://twitter.com/sjtaffee> <http://www.linkedin.com/in/stevetaffee>
You don't *really* need to print this do you?
On Thu, Oct 28, 2010 at 12:03 PM, Joan McGettigan <
joan.mcgettigan@pinecrest.edu> wrote:
> Dear All,
>
> We are building a new Upper School building and are considering the various
> options for a Language Learning Center where students might have a
> hard-wired environment (distantly related to the more traditional language
> lab using Sanako 1200 Series)
> or where we might go wireless/mobile using a site license (we're not sure
> if good wireless options exist in software) and we want to ensure that the
> investment will provide for future technical innovations. We have seen how
> wireless language labs
> seem to have many issues--particularly with AP exams and National Language
> Exams. Given that Broadcasting Studios are now mobile, is there an
> environment that you have experience with that can provide language learning
> (even a virtual lab for
> languages we might not offer) that can interface with Blackboard, is
> cutting edge, and easy to maintain, would you please let me know.
>
> We are also looking at investing in a set of IPod Touches for the language
> lab.
>
> We are a 1:1 environment (pcs and macs) from 6th to 12th.
>
> Thanks,
> Joan
>
> Dr. Joan McGettigan
> Director of Technology Integration
> Pine Crest School
> (954) 492-4158
> www.pinecrest.edu
> joan.mcgettigan@pinecrest.edu
>
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