--- Forwarded Message from Derek Roff <[log in to unmask]> ---

>Date: Mon, 03 Nov 2003 14:11:58 -0700
>From: Derek Roff <[log in to unmask]>
>To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: #7315 Sony, Tandberg, Apple
>In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]>
>References:  <[log in to unmask]>

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It sounds like you might be comparing a computer system from several 
years ago, (running OS 9, a fine, but outdated general purpose 
operating system) to two new dedicated language lab systems, each 
designed with a different teaching/learning feature set.  A new, 
general purpose system, whether Windows or Apple, will cost much less 
than a Sony or Tandberg system, and it will offer much less in the 
way of ready-to-go language lab functions.

We are happy with our Apple labs, which offer us lots of flexibility, 
expandiblility, easy upgrades, and the control and repairability of a 
general use system.  Our faculty did not use many of the dedicated 
lab features in our old dedicated labs, and have not asked for them 
in our new labs.  Our system might not work at other institutions, 
with teachers looking for a different set of capabilities.  We can 
add functionality when requested via third party software, and 
sometimes custom programming.  This has worked well for us, but if 
our professors wanted just what Tandberg or Sony offers, buying these 
dedicated systems would make sense to me.

On the other hand, when we put in our sign language laboratory, there 
wasn't a dedicated system available that met the teachers' 
requirements.  We were successful in getting almost all the 
functionality that they wanted, building on the digital and analog 
video capabilities of the old Apple All-in One.  Newer computers are 
more powerful, but favor digital video over analog, which can be 
problematic, when VHS tapes are a major part of the pedagogy.  There 
are certainly more options available today for video-based systems 
and components than there were six years ago.

In any case, it seems essential to me to start with the desired 
pedagogy, its supporting functionality, and the desires of the 
teachers.  The list of needs generated by that inventory can then be 
compared with available systems.

Derek

->> From: Henry Wilmer <[log in to unmask]>
>
> A horrible question to ask, but I will.  Any common wisdom on the
> best system out there?  Our language division currently has an all
> Apple lab. It was originally designed as a place where kids could
> do pre-class prep or post-class practice.  Since we are delivering
> more and more content over the web and since more and more of our
> teachers are becoming tech savvy, we have more and more classes
> wanting to use the lab during the classtime.  Network Assistant
> doesn't really function well as a teacher console.  It's not
> intuitive enough for most teachers, nor does it function fast
> enough.  It also does not allow the range of capabilities of the
> dedicated consoles we've seen from the likes of Tandberg.
> Especially egregious, is the inability of a teacher to talk with a
> student over the network while the student is using sound software
> (or maybe someone knows a solution to that short of wiring a
> separate audio system.)
>
> Any advice?  Which provides the most functionality?
> How about support services from each of the companies?
> How often is outside support needed?
> How often do you find you're paying for updates or other services?


Derek Roff
Language Learning Center, MSC03-2100
Ortega Hall Rm 129, 1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
505/277-7368, fax 505/277-3885
Internet: [log in to unmask]