--- Forwarded Message from Judi Franz <[log in to unmask]> ---

>Date: Thu, 14 Oct 1999 08:58:22 -0700 (PDT)
>From: Judi Franz <[log in to unmask]>
>To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum    <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: #5248.1 Real Player software and .smi (!)
>In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]>

------------------

At UC Irvine, we are now providing the bulk of our audio material on the
web via Quicktime. We played around with compression rates and came up
with the most workable solution (for us): Qualcomm PureVoice. So far, the
reaction has been primarily positive, with a few glitches here and there.

One publisher sent us a Zip disk with the audio files in RealAudio, so we
are doing a bit of a comparison between the two formats and will survey
students at the end of the quarter for their reactions.

It has been interesting to note how many hits the websites get in the wee
hours of the morning. The students are happy not to have to worry about
our open hours to access their materials, and are happy not to have to pay
to purchase tapes.

I'm very happy with the system so far, although of course it took longer
to get everything up than I thought it would. I'm also a bit surprised by
the number of students still interested in purchasing tapes, although
since we're mostly a commuter campus many students want the tapes so they
can listen in the car.


Judi

Judi Franz, Acting Director
Humanities Instruc. Resource Center
269 Humanities Hall      ZOT: 3775
(949) 824-6344    [log in to unmask]
http://www.hnet.uci.edu/hirc


> ------------------
> 
> I'm very excited about this method of streaming audio over the web: It
> means that the user can begin listening right away (while the rest of the
> data downloads in the buffer). I have put most of the audio program for our
> first-year Spanish course into Real format. We continue to offer the
> lessons on cassette in the lab for students who don't have or don't like
> computers. The students with computers in their room are thrilled that they
> can complete their lab work at midnight (instead of before the 9:30 p.m.
> closing time)! Furthermore, Real Server puts a virtual language lab within
> the reach of language departments with limited resources: A dedicated
> server can be had for well under $5000, with room for the audio programs
> for dozens of courses. The encoding process is slightly more tedious than
> copying cassettes, but in my experience it has been worth the trouble.
> 
> Cordially,
> Karl
> 
> Karl W. Fisher
> Director, Language Laboratory
> Instructor of Spanish
> The University of the South
> Sewanee, TN 37383
> 
> Lab: (931) 598-1468
> Fax: (931) 598-1145