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thelmadatter · Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2010 7:22 pm Post subject: computerized language labs

I just had a talk with the head of the prepa English department at my school. Supposedly, she got the go ahead to get their own lab and is looking for advice.

She is not keen on the self access model for the prepa level (except to have extra time after the last class) and wants a model where the teacher has more control over everything students do. Not my cup of tea but hey...

Anyway, she wants to purchase an integrated computer lab in which the teacher can monitor what students do from the teacher's desk. I have little experience with these as a student and no experience as a teacher or as a buyer of one.

Do any of you work with this kind of system at your school? What do you like or dislike about them? If you can tell me the name of the system, that would be great too.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Where are you? Answers may vary depending on the actual availability of software there.

You just want something to monitor if kids are doing the work? Get the popular NetWitch program.

If you want to track what kids are doing over time, that's different. Also, what do you want the kids to do with the software? If it's merely a language learning lab for playing and replaying CD recordings, you don't need much. If you want internet access, recording facilities, interactive software, video dubbing, etc., that's a huge ball of wax and anyone getting into this should take 6 months at least (!) to evaluate options.

One more often overlooked thing: just because a room has a bunch of computers, internet access, headphones and NetWitch, that doesn't mean self-access is guaranteed. Students need to be monitored for their progress and correction of weak points. If teachers think software alone does that, they are wasting money, time, energy, and students' education.

thelmadatter · Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 2:30 pm Post subject:

Im going to fly NetWitch and see what happens. I kind of know what they will do in the end is contact a vendor here in Mexico and buy some kind of system that promises everything *sigh*

The fact of the matter is that the only activities they know they want to do are those they use to do with the old cassette tape based language lab. I told them that computers offer everything (lots and lots of options) and nothing (in the way of guidance) at the same time.

The focus of the preparatory-level lab will be for classroom use and having it open access for a couple of hours in the afternoon. I run the self access lab for the college level courses.

Thanks for responding Glenski!