Ellips: flexible authoring for Web-based language learning Sake Jager University of Utrecht/University of Groningen Eurocall September 2003

Digitalenklas project Two-year project, financed by SURF and contributing universities (Utrecht, Leiden, Tilburg, Groningen) Software development: commercial partner Edufocus Focus: General-purpose VLE’s for Language Learning General-purpose VLE’s for Language Learning Language-specific application: Ellips Language-specific application: Ellips Languages involved: Dutch, English, Spanish, Arabic

Point of departure Language learning in need of change, cannot be solved by technology alone Introduction of Common European Framework Necessity for co-operation between universities to reduce cost and to foster innovation Tradition of CALL to be taken into account at introduction of VLE’s Overall need to assess ICT technologies in the face of current ideas about teaching and learning languages

Use of technology Activities that can be done at the computer (self-directed, single, pairs, groups) are programmed as such. VLE’s: Potential for task-based, learner-oriented, authentic learning Potential for task-based, learner-oriented, authentic learning Used for open-ended activities, communication, discussion Used for open-ended activities, communication, discussion Templates for testing Templates for testing Not optimally equipped for non-European languages Not optimally equipped for non-European languagesEllips: Closed-type exercises Closed-type exercises Templates for practice rather than testing Templates for practice rather than testing Adaptivity and feedback Adaptivity and feedback Specific features for speaking and listening Specific features for speaking and listening Unicode support for languages Unicode support for languages Import of existing materials (Hologram) Import of existing materials (Hologram)

Demo Ellips Student interface; teacher interface Main aspects: Re-use of materials by using one server application for development Re-use of materials by using one server application for development Coding scheme based on CEF to support re-use of materials (IMS-compliant) Coding scheme based on CEF to support re-use of materials (IMS-compliant) Coding scheme for semi-adaptive exercise selection Coding scheme for semi-adaptive exercise selection Streaming audio and video Streaming audio and video Multilingual (including IPA) Multilingual (including IPA) Webrecorder to store student input on the web for later review Webrecorder to store student input on the web for later review

Digitalenklas Consortium For maintaining and expanding project results Infrastructure supported and updated Program modifications New content development Distribution of existing content Charge of annual fee

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