NFLRC SYMPOSIUM, HAWAI'I, 1996

II. A New Paradigm for Language Learning

The Internet as a Language Learning Environment

1. RATIONALE

  • availability: site- and platform independent
  • accessibility/affordability
  • enabling groupwork/collaboration
  • authenticity
  • currency
  • interactivity
  • efficiency
  • effectiveness

2. RESOURCES

  • in-country sites
    • commercial, public, academic
    • announcements, weather, news, archives
    • advertisements, e-journals, travel, homepages

  • U.S. sites
    • language specific sites, U.S. academic departments
    • homepages

3. CONSTITUENT PARTS

  • Learner=Client
    basic site using 'enhanced' browser
  • Teacher=Server
    managing enhanced server, a depository of products
    and links to
    • language specific databases and learning tools
    • on-line testing
    • on-line dictionaries
    • archives of video/audio files
    • . . .
  • Expert(s)=Producer
    individuals/teams developing instructional resources

    4. ENABLING TECHNOLOGY

    • for the Client=Learner and Server=Teacher
      basic 'appliance' / server
    • for the Producer=Expert(s)
      state-of-the art hardware and software for cross-platform
      development

    July 28, 1996
    ehgilson@princeton.edu

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