--- Forwarded Message from Robert Summers <[log in to unmask]> ---

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>Date: Sun, 02 Jul 2006 21:45:22 -0400
>From: Robert Summers <[log in to unmask]>
>User-Agent: Thunderbird 1.5.0.4 (Macintosh/20060516)
>To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum   
<[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: #8273 Auralog/TMM recommendations
>References: <[log in to unmask]>
>In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]>

Norval,

I have been working with TMM at the University of South Florida for a 
little over 6 months.  The software is impressive.  As you know the 
amount of material that is included in it is expansive.  Students also 
like the ability to have their speech scored and they like receiving 
feedback on their intonation.

Epistemologically I have a couple of concerns.  I am not convinced that 
comparing students' speech to native speaker speech is worthwhile.  I 
would suggest that the software establish a baseline of the student's 
speech and rate progress from that.

 From the lab administrator's side I have had problems on the server 
end.   There is no way to archive and export specific speech samples 
that are produced by students.  The method for setting up paths 
(specific lessons or series of lessons) is rather unintuitive and I find 
myself often referring to the manual.

Despite the praise that students' give the software there are also some 
problems.  The interface is built entirely in flash.  This gives TMM a 
sort of appeal that similar software does possess. Yet the designers 
have placed the navigation buttons in odd places.  This leads to 
confusion on the student's and professor's part.  We have therefore 
established training to familiarize students and professors with the 
software.

There is no doubt that this programs offers some of the best practice 
for students to use their language, aside from actual discourse with 
another speaker of their language.  But as with any piece of software it 
is not perfect.

Robert Summers

LLTI-Editor wrote:
> --- Forwarded Message from "Norval Bard" <[log in to unmask]> ---
> 
>> Date: Tue, 27 Jun 2006 09:05:36 -0500
>> From: "Norval Bard" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Subject: Auralog/TMM recommendations
> 
> Hi, 
> We are considering adopting the Auralog/Tell Me More product for use as
> a supplement to the various curricula of our language programs.  One
> reason for doing so is that a number of the features of the product
> (aural, oral and video activities) fit with our goal of developing our
> virtual lab offerings.  I see that Auralog boasts a national
> distribution of higher ed subscribers and I'm asking for any feedback
> you might have.
> 
> Thanks,
> Norval Bard
> 
> 
> ****************************
> Dr. Norval Bard
> Associate Professor of French
> Director, Myers Language Resource Center
> North Central College
> Naperville, IL 60539
> (630) 637-5125
> 
> 
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> Otmar Foelsche, LLTI-Editor ([log in to unmask])
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