Language Lab Update September 28, 2007

Tasks 1. Enhance existing lab (status quo)

2.Develop master plan for future Tasks

1. Enhance existing lab (status quo) 2.Develop master plan for future 3.Ensure integration with curriculum Tasks

1. Enhance existing lab (status quo) n Well-trained student assistants n Increased hours n Additional materials n Take advantage of “free software” n Greater use of on-line resources n Blackboard 2.Develop master plan for future 3.Ensure integration with curriculum Tasks

1. Enhance existing lab (status quo) n Well-trained student assistants n Increased hours n Additional materials n Take advantage of “free software” n Greater use of on-line resources n Blackboard 2.Develop master plan for future n Fact-finding F Faculty surveys F Student survey F Benchmark “best practices” n Desired features and specifications n RFP (CTS/vendors) n Budget request n Phased implementation 3.Ensure integration with curriculum Tasks

1. Enhance existing lab (status quo) n Well-trained student assistants n Increased hours n Additional materials n Take advantage of “free software” n Greater use of on-line resources n Blackboard 2.Develop master plan for future n Fact-finding F Faculty surveys F Student survey F Benchmark “best practices” n Desired features and specifications n RFP (CTS/vendors) n Budget request n Phased implementation 3.Ensure integration with curriculum n Department-wide pedagogical model n Textbook lab manuals n Lab assignments F Vocabulary/grammar F Oral/speaking F Culture / film / literature F Creative (writing, audio, video, Web site) n Teaching aids F Web or Blackboard lesson plans Tasks

Current Set Up WHAT WE HAVE n Master console n 28 stations n Cassettes, CD ROMs, videos n Lab manuals n Films HOW IT IS USED n Limited use for class sessions n Limited assignments n Testing n Individual student learning

Language Learning Today n Constructivist model n Blended classrooms n Blackboard n Moodle and Webcams n Captured spoken grammar n Faculty-developed HTML-based lesson plans with hyperlinks n On-line streaming video n Creative production: F Videos and audios F Websites n Dorm / home access to media

Key Questions (status quo) 1.Do you make use of the lab today? If not, why not? 2.Do students use it? 3.What are the major shortcomings of the current lab? 4.What can we do, short-term, to improve the lab and increase usage?  Multimedia materials  Student assistants  Access hours

Key Questions (future plan) 1.What is the department’s pedagogical model for employing technology in language learning? 2.Would you make greater use of an updated lab for class sessions? 3.Should the lab be incorporated into the curriculum, as an integral part of lesson plans and assignments, or is the primary role to serve as a supplemental, extracurricular resource for individual student learning? 4.What are the priority uses, and technology requirements, for classroom sessions (specific learning goals)? 5.What are the priority uses for individual student learning? 6.How committed are we as faculty to learning and implementing new language-learning technologies, including lab operations?

Matching Needs with Technologies LEARNING REQUIREMENTS  Class management  Course management  Vocabulary  Grammar  Writing  Pronunciation  Reading comprehension  Culture  Film & literature

Matching Needs with Technologies TECHNOLOGIES  Master control console  Student cassette decks  Language software (CDs, DVDs with text, audio, and/or video)  On-line Web-based language programs and resources)  On-line indigenous Web sites (e.g., French news)  Films and videos (VHS and DVDs)  Audio / speech capturing  Group testing software  Document production  Web site authoring software  Graphic production  Web site to post and grade language exercises  Text-based discussion forums (online)  Voice-enabled discussion forum  Tracking of student usage of Web resources  Course Web site

Faculty Survey Results 1.What statement best describes how you utilized the lab during the past two semesters?

Faculty Survey Results 2.Why did you make little or no use of the lab?

Faculty Survey Results 3.What are the lab’s shortcomings? What problems have you experienced? What do you wish the lab had? n “ Too old.” “Hardware doesn’t support new programs.” n “Department did not order materials available with textbooks.” n “Need Vistas DVD.” n “Software outdated.” n “Software incompatible.” n “Software programs too advanced.” n “Need CDs and DVDs for Italian.” n “Student assistants don’t have a clue how to use equipment or where stuff is.” n “It’s not open when students need it.”

Faculty Survey Results 3.What are the lab’s shortcomings? What problems have you experienced? What do you wish the lab had? n “Student assistants open late and close early.” n “Too complicated to use for a class session.” n “Waste too much time trying to get everything to work.” n “Don’t like cubicles for class sessions.” n “Would like real-time access to international cable TV.” n “Would like a decent room for showing films (light control, small theatre with large screen, good sound, comfortable seats that would still allow for class participation.” n “Listening comprehension CDs.” n “Audio and video editing equipment.” n “Faculty training.”

Faculty Survey Results 4.Are you aware of any outstanding software programs that we should look at? What universities should we benchmark ourselves against? n Audacity n BYU n Foreign Service n Salamanca n Pitt n Moodle n Slippery Rock (Virtuoso/Soloist-SONY; Auralog)

Faculty Survey Results 5.What is the future of the language lab as a learning and teaching resource? n “Do we really need a lab?” n “The high school model of a drills-based language lab is obsolete.” n “Lab features/capabilities can be blended into the classroom.” n “This is the iPod age. Students want to be able to access materials from their home or dorm, and put it on their iPods.”

Next Steps 1. Enhance the status quo F Train student assistants F Increase hours ? F Add 3 rd assistant ? F Request additional CDs, DVDs F Take advantage of “free software” F Greater use of on-line resources F Blackboard training for faculty? F YOUR IDEAS

Next Steps 1. Enhance the status quo F Train student assistants F Increase hours ? F Add 3 rd assistant ? F Request additional CDs, DVDs F Take advantage of “free software” F Greater use of on-line resources F Blackboard training for faculty? F YOUR IDEAS 2. Future master plan F CTS survey F Student survey F Pitt visit F Other universities F Additional research F Your suggestions F CTS recommendations F Final features and specifications F Budget proposal

Next Steps 3. Integrate into curriculum F Determine pedagogical model F Blackboard training/integration F Supplemental multimedia textbook materials F New teaching tools F Audio recording F Creative production F Course Web sites F ???

Free Programs Available n Sound recording F Audacity F Windows Sound Recorder programs/accessories/entertainment/sound recorder