--- Forwarded Message from Deanne Cobb <[log in to unmask]> --- >From: Deanne Cobb <[log in to unmask]> >Sender: [log in to unmask] >Date: Thu, 26 Oct 2000 11:50:28 -0600 >To: [log in to unmask] >Priority: NORMAL Hi, These are the jumbled thoughts and demands that have landed on my desk, of which I am trying to wade through and not only make sense of, but also find a solution to, and with this solution, hopefully I can please everyone involved. I am hoping that one or more of you might be able to offer some experience or direction. Thanks! This is our current situation: The University of Regina Language Institute language program consists of several languages: French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Mandarin, Russian, Cree, Saulteaux, and ESL (and even more during the summer/spring session). We currently operate one Sony audio lab facility, and one old analogue/new computer lab. We still operate with scheduled lab times and that this lab time is mandatory. We are lucky and have the support of the majority of our instructors. They feel attendance in the lab is very important. We still keep attendance and keep record still of students who are not working or who leave early/come late. Truancy is still strictly forbidden. 1. We are currently working at digitizing our audio. Our old cassette machines break down at an alarming pace and the company that produced them no longer even exists. The University Language Institute has decided that rather than invest in a new cassette lab, then they should invest in digitized audio, the software and the hardware. 2. We have space problems. We need a third lab (at least!) Our ESL program requires one more lab on its own. Our credit classes require yet more lab space. 3. We offer much of our lab material currently through the web, through a mixture of WebCT, our own webpage, and materials developed with Webgen. 4. Currently most of our audio is on the main server at the University. Students, therefore, can gain access to this material from home or from their dorms if they have internet access. The University allows us only a small amount of server space. We have exceeded it at least 10 times over. To solve this problem, we are looking to move our audio files to the hard-drives of our lab computers. This, then means that students will NOT be able to access the audio files from their residences. 6. The Language Institute is not in favor of this move as they wish to protect home-use. In addition they are considering the possibility of operating labs as solely home-based with some sort of tracking system for assignments, in hopes that this might eleviate our space problems. 7. We have been looking into the details of operating such a lab. As said above, we have server space problems. The University also has strict policies AGAINST intra-nets (and Windows NT). Is there a solution out there? Is there an easy solution that I just seem to be completely unaware of, or completely over-looking? Does anyone have any experience or advice to offer? Thanks, Deanne Cobb