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October 2000, Week 4

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From:
LLTI-Editor <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Fri, 27 Oct 2000 08:11:30 EDT
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--- Forwarded Message from Deanne Cobb <[log in to unmask]> ---

>From: Deanne Cobb <[log in to unmask]>
>Sender: [log in to unmask]
>Date: Thu, 26 Oct 2000 11:50:28 -0600
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Priority: NORMAL


Hi,

These are the jumbled thoughts and demands that have
landed on my desk, of which I am trying to wade through and
not only make sense of, but also find a solution to, and
with this solution, hopefully I can please everyone
involved.

I am hoping that one or more of you might be able to offer
some experience or direction.

Thanks!

This is our current situation:

The University of Regina Language Institute language
program consists of several languages: French, German,
Spanish, Japanese, Mandarin, Russian, Cree, Saulteaux, and
ESL (and even more during the summer/spring session).

We currently operate one Sony audio lab facility, and one
old analogue/new computer lab.

We still operate with scheduled lab times and that this lab
time is mandatory.  We are lucky and have the support of
the majority of our instructors.  They feel attendance in
the lab is very important.  We still keep attendance and
keep record still of students who are not working or who
leave early/come late.  Truancy is still strictly
forbidden.

1.  We are currently working at digitizing our audio.  Our
old cassette machines break down at an alarming pace and
the company that produced them no longer even exists.  The
University Language Institute has decided that rather than
invest in a new cassette lab, then they should invest in
digitized audio, the software and the hardware.

2.  We have space problems.  We need a third lab (at least!)
Our ESL program requires one more lab on its own. Our
credit classes require yet more lab space.

3.  We offer much of our lab material currently through the
web, through a mixture of WebCT, our own webpage, and
materials developed with Webgen.

4.  Currently most of our audio is on the main server at
the University.  Students, therefore, can gain access to
this material from home or from their dorms if they have
internet access.  The University allows us only a small
amount of server space.  We have exceeded it at least 10
times over.  To solve this problem, we are looking to move
our audio files to the hard-drives of our lab computers.
This, then means that students will NOT be able to access
the audio files from their residences.

6.  The Language Institute is not in favor of this move as
they wish to protect home-use.  In addition they are
considering the possibility of operating labs as solely
home-based with some sort of tracking system for
assignments, in hopes that this might eleviate our space
problems.

7.  We have been looking into the details of operating such
a lab.  As said above, we have server space problems.  The
University also has strict policies AGAINST intra-nets (and
Windows NT).

Is there a solution out there?  Is there an easy solution
that I just seem to be completely unaware of, or completely
over-looking?  Does anyone have any experience or advice to
offer?

Thanks,
Deanne Cobb

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