--- Forwarded Message from Rob Reynolds <[log in to unmask]> ---

>Date: Tue, 22 Oct 2002 14:44:19 -0500
>From: Rob Reynolds <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: #6909 Quia materials for Spanish textbook
>In-reply-to: <[log in to unmask]>
>To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum    <[log in to unmask]>

------------------
Carroll,

I've used the Quia materials with Plazas and have also used Quia for 
some time as a supplement to other language and non-language courses.  
I have found their materials, support, and general infrastructure to be 
outstanding.  Their java-based applications are bandwidth-friendly 
(many of my students have used this over a phone modem quite 
successfully) and their response to user needs has been outstanding.  
And, lest I sound like too much of a homer regarding hosted 
applications, let me add that this has not been my experience with 
other companies offering hosted applications.  Quia's advantage is that 
most of the employees are ex-Oracle workers and their database 
structures are efficient and very robust.

I have been happy enough with their product that, back when budgets 
were good, I even considered hiring them to provide an alternative 
course management system for our university.  Hope this helps.

Rob Reynolds, Ph.D.
Director, IT User Services
University of Oklahoma
(405) 613-5319
[log in to unmask]

On Tuesday, October 22, 2002, at 02:22  PM, LLTI-Editor wrote:

> --- Forwarded Message from Carroll Hightower 
> <[log in to unmask]> ---
>
>> Date: Mon, 21 Oct 2002 14:29:41 -0500 (CDT)
>> From: Carroll Hightower <[log in to unmask]>
>> Reply-To: [log in to unmask]
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Quia materials for Spanish textbook
>
> ------------------
>
> Hi, everyone! I wonder if any of y'all can help us out here. In our
> department we have been using the elementary Spanish textbook "Sabias
> que...?" (third edition) for some time now, along with workbook 
> exercises
> in electronic format.  Currently we are using Mallard to deliver these
> exercises via the Web to about 800 students of Spanish; now 
> McGraw-Hill,
> the publisher of "Sabias que...?" plans to offer the materials in
> electronic workbook format through the Quia website.  I am familiar 
> with
> Quia as a site where you can design your own exercises, but was 
> wondering
> if anyone else out there had any experience using textbook materials
> offered for purchase and use through Quia.  Currently we run our own
> Mallard server on campus, and therefore can offer students a rapid
> response time to problems and issues. We wonder what it would be like 
> to
> have these materials reside on an off-campus server, what Quia's 
> support
> is like, about privacy issues, etc.  Currently only one other 
> McGraw-Hill
> textbook, "Vistazos," has a similar workbook offered through Quia.  I'm
> also aware of a Heinle and Heinle book, "Plazas," that has accompanying
> Quia materials.  I'd be interested in any experiences you could share 
> with
> me.  We want to ensure that our students have the best experience 
> possible
> with these materials!
>
> Thanks so much in advance for your time,
>
> Carroll
>
> ==========
>
> Carroll Hightower
> Director
> Language Resource Center
> University of Mississippi
> [log in to unmask]
> 662.915.6981