Dear LLTI
We are delighted to announce the launch of Soundbooth Plus our surprisingly
sophisticated but affordable digital language lab.
Full details, with examples of content and teacher monitoring, can be found
on www.soundbooth.eu but some major features are as follows:
What does it do?
Develops the four skills of language learning
Can be used with any language - Unicode based
Utilises existing resources; audio, text books, worksheets and graphics
Enables live monitoring of an individual student or a group of students
Provides private communication between the teacher and student or a group of
students
Enables synchronous questioning and recording of responses
Allows easy Assessment - All student work is saved as mp3 files or
interactive web pages
The addition of a headset with a microphone turns any pc network into a
language lab
How does it do it?
Using two small software programmes, a student module and a teacher module,
that will run on virtually any pc and network. Items containing text,
graphics and audio recordings are viewed by students who can record
themselves and can also enter text or make selections. The teacher can
communicate to students individually, or by group, and can monitor progress
live. All pcs should be on the same subnet but NO server is required only
storage space for student's work and lessons.
The software is written in Java and C++ and needs JRE which is packaged with
it. Windows XP (SP2) is the minimum specification. A Mac version will be
available later in the year.
What do we need?
Lessons are created using any web editor capable of using tables, text, text
boxes, graphics, drop down menus, radio buttons and check boxes. Content can
be copied and pasted form existing resources. The audio tracks can be any
mp3 existing or recorded resource using freeware audio editing software e.g.
Audacity, to insert recording pauses. HTML links can be included to any
other resource or web page
Lesson folders are simply dropped in to the master lessons folder or removed
if not needed. Synchronous questioning to a group, or all students, as well
as the ability to use external media players as the audio resource is
included.
Assessment?
Apart from live monitoring all audio files are saved as mp3 files and any
text or selection input is saved as an interactive web page for printing or
viewing on any browser.
Away from the lab?
A version, minus the teacher communication module, is provided on memory
sticks so students can have the same language lab experience at home or on
their laptop. It uses the same lessons and all input is saved for revision
or assessment purposes.
Pricing?
This is based on a concurrent user base. For up to 30 seats the cost is
$7000.00, 30-50 seats $9000.00, 50-200 seats $12000. The personalised
stand-alone version is provided on memory sticks at $10 each with no
licensing restrictions. Alternatively a master disc can be supplied for
duplication at the institution for $2000.
Please contact us if you would like to download a full working version
Regards
Kate Hammond
www.langlabresources.co.uk
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LLTI is a service of IALLT, the International Association for
Language Learning (http://iallt.org/), and The Consortium for Language
Teaching
and Learning (http://www.languageconsortium.org/).
Join IALLT at http://iallt.org.
Otmar Foelsche, LLTI-Editor ([log in to unmask])
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