--- Forwarded Message from "Read Gilgen" <[log in to unmask]> --- >Date: Fri, 03 Oct 2003 14:18:40 -0500 >From: "Read Gilgen" <[log in to unmask]> >To: <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: #7276.1 Audio Recording -Lab Management Software: Net Support School OK, here's the scoop with NetSupport School. 1. You can establish two-way communications between an individual and the instructor. 2. You can announce (instructor to all students). 3. Two-way between instructor and more than one student is not possible. As for the two-way audio (#1 above): 1. A student can be running another audio program and still hear the instructor along with the audio being played (I suspect this may have to do with multichannel audio capabilities of the Pavilion laptops we're using, but perhaps not). 2. A student can record and still hear the instructor. 3. The instructor cannot hear what the student is playing, only what comes this his/her microphone. The limitation here is that only microphone sources can travel from instructor to student or back. No other "native" audio sources (e.g., file on disk, CD player, etc.) can be communicated from instructor to student or vice-versa. This is a problem we asked NSS about early on (e.g., an instructor wants to play a sound click out to students) and they said they were aware of the need and have it on their "to do" list. When, how well, etc., remains to be seen. What we've done in the meantime, is hook up the computer to our in room sound system so if needs be, the instructor can play whatever to the room speakers. Not ideal, but a workaround for the short term. I have to keep reminding myself that NSS is NOT language lab software. Nevertheless, with a couple of additions (such as this one, and easier student group work) they could do very well in the language lab arena. **************************************************** Read Gilgen Director L&S Learning Support Services University of Wisconsin - Madison (608) 262-1408 [log in to unmask] http://polyglot.lss.wisc.edu/lss/ >>> [log in to unmask] 10/3/2003 12:07:53 PM >>> --- Forwarded Message from Damion Renner <[log in to unmask]> --- >Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2003 01:17:45 -0400 >From: Damion Renner <[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Lab Management Software: Wimba/E-langlab We recently evaluated some lab mangaement software applications - Speaker, Divace ICM, Net Support Manager, and Net Support School. We ended up choosing Netsupport School since it was the popular choice among faculty and staff for its interface, capabilities and value. Although we have succeeded in allowing the instructor to listen in (monitor) students while they are speaking in to the microphone, it cannot be done if another program (like any voice recording software) is accessing the soundcard since it's already being used by Netsupport school. We are exploring a proposed solution to this problem by adding an additional soundcard in all of our lab machines. I'm unaware of any software that will allow simultaneous voice monitoring while students are using any other audio software. The other software (Divace ICM and Speaker) we evaluated couldn't accomplish this task without purchasing an expensive hardware solution to accompany it, so we went with Netsupport school which can accomplish much of what we need. Damion Renner Language Lab and Computing Support, Development and Training CHASS / Multimedia Centre in the Humanities Phone: 416-926-1300 x.3256, 416-978-2535 Email: [log in to unmask] >From: Betty Woerner <[log in to unmask]> ------------------ Actually, I should be more clear: we are looking for software that = will perform a virtual monitor function in a Mac or Mac/Windows lab, = enabling the prof. to listen in while students in a class are doing audio exercises. This would be similar to the monitor function in our = old Sony tape lab. We use none of the other features of a turnkey lab, so = to go that direction would be a massive waste. At present, we have = looked at Wimba and E-LangLab. Are there others? Betty Woerner Reed College Portland, OR ___________________________________________________________________-