--- Forwarded Message from Karam Marie E <[log in to unmask]> ---
>Date: Wed, 24 Apr 2002 13:48:01 -0400
>From: Karam Marie E <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: #6649 Beginning Spanish FIPSE
>To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum <[log in to unmask]>
------------------
Rachel-
Since I must review and rate all beginning Spanish materials on the
market as coordinator of all Elem. level Spanish courses here at the
University of Scranton I am interested in evaluating these proposed
materials. If I can be of help let me know.
Marie Karam, Director
Language Learning Center
University of Scranton
----- Original Message -----
From: LLTI-Editor <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Tuesday, April 23, 2002 1:58 pm
Subject: #6649 Beginning Spanish FIPSE
> --- Forwarded Message from "Rachel E. Saury"
> <[log in to unmask]> ---
>
> >Date: Fri, 19 Apr 2002 14:12:46 -0400
> >To: Language Learning and Technology International Information
> Forum <[log in to unmask]>
> >From: "Rachel E. Saury" <[log in to unmask]>
> >Subject: Beginning Spanish FIPSE
> >In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]>
>
> Dear colleagues,
>
> We have received an invitation from FIPSE to submit a long
> proposal. I am
> writing to see if there is anyone "out there" would be interested
> in
> participating as a collaborator on this project.
>
> Here is a brief summary:
>
> The Beginning Spanish Natural Speech Project breaks down
> conventional
> academic and often limiting boundaries between disciplines and
> institutions
> through further development and eventual dissemination of a suite
> of
> software called Savant. Savant is intended as a general tool to
> allow for
> the multi-lingual and multi-purposed use of video and audio files
> in
> conjunction with transcripts and associated information, including
> language
> learning activities. A Java-XML tool, it shows audio and video in
> time-based synchronization with transcripts, translations, and
> associated
> data such as grammatical notes, lexical notes, linguistic
> annotations and
> content annotations. With web-based accessibility, developers and
> collaborators can contribute to a shared database of authentic and
> associated materials. A FIPSE grant for three years, from May,
> 2003
> through May, 2006 will enable us to further develop modes of
> access in
> Savant that allow for its use in language pedagogy, cultural
> pedagogy,
> general public and research consultations for multiple purposes.
> We
> propose Spanish as a test-bed for this project in order to address
> the
> national trend towards high enrollments in that language and,
> thus, for
> high quality target-language materials in a distance learning
> format which
> can be adapted for use either in conjunction with a traditional
> classroom
> setting or for more independent work. At UVA, in particular, we
> are
> planning on using Savant as a rich learning resource to replace 2
> hours of
> seat time in a traditional classroom as one way of addressing a
> need to
> open more sections and thus better utilize teaching assistant
> resources.
> Collaborators could be involved at any or all of the following
> three levels:
>
> 1) Development of the tool Savant: the collaborators would send a
> representative to UVA 2-4 times over the 2 development years to
> evaluate
> the tool in progress and give input on its development. Further,
> since the
> tool is going to be web-based, you would also provide input long-
> distance.
> 2) Development of authentic materials--videos--for the database:
> since a
> large component of the grant as we see it is to end up with
> authentic
> materials in the database with associated activities that will
> then be
> tested in class, lab and off-site settings, we hope to be able to
> build on
> available materials and associated activities. In our case, we
> will work
> with our Study Abroad program to Valencia so that undergraduates
> will be
> collecting authentic videos as part of their program grade. We
> could also
> be adopting already existing materials (of course with copyright
> permissions). The collaborators could be contributing to the
> database and
> to activity development.
>
> 3) Test-runs of Savant in actual courses: pilots of the new
> materials would
> be run at collaborators' institutions in year 3, with the results
> evaluated
> in some way.
>
> Let me know if you are interested in participating! The
> application
> deadline is May 24, so we would need to hear from you within the
> next few
> days in order to better evaluate how you would participate!
>
> Any input on similar programs underway nationally would also be
> welcome!
> Cordially,
>
> Rachel E. Saury, Ph.D.
> Director, Arts & Sciences Center for Instructional Technologies
> Lecturer, Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures
> P.O. Box 400784, Cabell 219
> University of Virginia
> Charlottesville, VA 22904-4784
> 434-924-6847 ph.
> *********************************************************
> May the light of awakened mind become apparent. Ven. Dhyani
> Ywahoo, Etowah
> Cherokee
>
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