--- Forwarded Message from "Thomas Plagwitz" <[log in to unmask]> ---
>From: "Thomas Plagwitz" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: "'Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum'"
<[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: RE: #8227.2 (!) Looking for Mac language lab software solutions
>Date: Wed, 3 May 2006 22:24:57 -0400
>Organization: UofTampa
>In-reply-to: <[log in to unmask]>
>Thread-Index: AcZuELTjscCc67ybSu+/X2sfPPePpgACA0ng
Mary,
Did Dr. Laden mention when we can expect an update with pairing and related
features to be released?
On http://elanglab.com/davidlanglab/news/news.html it still seems to say
"coming later" only.
Thanks, thomas
--
Dr. Thomas Plagwitz
Language Laboratory Coordinator, German Instructor
Riverside Center 101
University of Tampa, Languages & Linguistics
Tel: (813) 253-3333 Ext. 3917
________________________________
From: Language Learning and Technology International Information
Forum [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mary Toulouse
Sent: Monday, May 01, 2006 2:47 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: #8227.2 (!) Looking for Mac language lab software
solutions
We, too, are looking for Mac software and have been investigating
LangLab. I've copied below some of the answers to questions that we have
asked Dr. Richard Laden, the contact person at LangLab.
Mary
Two questions:
> Does the program allow pairing--if so, what does this "pairing"
allow
> them to do.
The existing four modules don't, but we're developing another module
that will. So far it allows pairing via a system where students "call" one
another, but we're in the process of making it a full-blown pairing/grouping
system that will implement various grouping methods, with the instructor
able to intervene in a conversation. It will be superior to other such
systems out there because it retains some of the features of other modules.
For instance, the conversation can be recorded in segments, and the
instructor can review it and insert comments in a segment that the students
involved can hear later. Additionally, it will have the tools for
presentation of materials, so that an instructor can use them as the
stimulus for a conversation: e.g., "watch this video clip and discuss this
topic," or "listen to this debate and comment on it." It will retain the
lesson-item structure, so that a class can be a series of discussions
(typically with changing group composition).
>
> Also, do you have plans for Langlab to use universal binary
> code? This will make it work well on the Intel macs.
Not sure I understand. LangLab runs on the Mac with Mac Java, it
doesn't have to be translated by anything and there are no JNI libraries to
worry about. From MacFixit.com: "pure Java applications require no code
changes to run on Intel-based Macs." As I understand it, these boxes will
launch Java without Rosetta.
At 01:16 PM 5/1/2006, you wrote:
--- Forwarded Message from Duncan Charters
<[log in to unmask]> ---
>Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2006 21:22:09 -0500
>To: [log in to unmask]
>From: Duncan Charters <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: #8227 Looking for Mac language lab software
solutions
Initial testing appears to have confirmed that full-feature
LAN-based
systems designed to run under Windows XP shuld be compatible
with the new
Intel-based Macs. Emulation software (Virtual PC) could run
these systems,
but was too slow compared to running natively on a PC. The
new Intel Macs
can run XP natively, so speed is no longer an issue. Apple's
free Boot Camp
public beta software enables XP on a Mac running OS 10.4
(Tiger) right now.
While bugs have been reported in the beta software, it is
expected that OS
10.5 (Leopard), which we may see by fall, will have these
ironed out.
Renet's ReLanPro (distributed and supported by ASC Direct)
is an example of
an XP-based system that should run on the new Macs. Any
LAN-based system
running under XP should have this capability, so this could
be an option
for other companies too (e.g. SANS, Genesis, Sanako). All
the companies
would be wise to do some good testing, and they may not be
willing to
support a hardware system that relies on beta software right
now. However,
where there is a preference for Macs, this development has
the potential
for giving the best of all worlds, so a little wait might be
worth it. For
those needing to proceed right away, nothing's guaranteed
but Apple would
have a lot to lose if its upgrade path to Leopard doesn't
work out. It
appears to be mainly a question of timing now, rather than
capability.
Duncan
Dr. Duncan Charters
Professor and Chair, Language Department
Principia College, Elsah, IL 62028-9799
Telephone: (618) 374-5252 Fax: (618) 374-5465
E-mail: <[log in to unmask]>
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