Workshops on Language Teaching and Technology

Workshops conducted so far
HTML reference guide
Graphics workshop guideline
Escape sequences to make accents in html
Sample fill-out form with JavaScript to send data via. email
Workshop details:

 1. Digitizing audio materials for Language Learning Software

This workshop will provide the participants working knowledge on how to digitize audio tapes and use them to create their own language learning software. Special attention will be paid to using various formats of sound files in three different environments such as in PC, Mac and Web. This involves not only making the sound files in different formats but also converting one format to another. Training will be provided to time code and play any particular segments of audio files. Also, the relative merits and demerits involved in using the sound files of various formats like Wave files, Real Audio files, Ulaw files etc., in the three different platforms will be illustrated in detail. This will help participants focus upon the appropriate resources during their process of making learning materials with sound component.
This workshop will also evaluate different ways of using the sound files in learning software and identify the ones which are effective and authentic from the pedagogical point of view.

Duration: 7 hours ( 9 to 1 and 2 to 5)

Hardware and Software demonstrated:

Software to be used: SoundEdit, WaveEdit, Real Audio Encoder etc.

Hardware: Audio deck, Microphones, Speakers.

Language learning template software made using HyperCard (MAC), Visual Basic (Windows), HTML documents with JavaScript integration (WEB) will be used by the eventual learner.

2. Digitizing video materials for Language Learning Software
This workshop will focus on the use of video clips for language learning. Both the technology involved in making digitized video clips from VHS tapes as well as using them in language learning software will be shown. Attention will be foucsed on using the video materials on Windows, MAC and WEB. This involves giving users an experience on making and time coding AVI, MOVIE and Real Video files and use them in their software.
The other side of this workshop will be devoted to evaluating the different methods of using the video materials for language learning. The different methods involve integrating various learning and testing strategies with the use of video materials.

Duration: One day (7 hours - 9 to 1 and 2 to 5)

Hardware and Software demonstrated:

Software: Adobe Premiere, Video compression utilities, Real Video encoder, Hypercard, Visual Basic, Netscape and Javascript.

Hardware: Video digitizer, MAC - Power PC, IBM - Pentium processors.

3. Development of windows based software for learning a second language.

This workshop will concentrate on development of windows (3.1 and 95) based language learning software. Suitable training will be privided for how the software MULTILANG can be used to make language lessons integrating multimedia features such as pictures, sound, video and hypertexts. Demonstration of some of the template lessons already created using this software will be given as part of this workshop.

4. Creation of Web Sites with Language Learning materials

This workshop will be devoted to making web sites with language learning materials. It involves the actual use of language learning lessons on the web. Various methods such as the use of on-line forms for tests and assignments, use of pictures, sound and video materials on the web, making server based pages, use of on-line dictionaries, making discussion groups for language classes etc., will be discussed in detail.

Participants will be trained to make their own web pages for their languages. Considerable amount of time will be devoted to reviewing and discussing the pages already available world wide for language learning.

Duration: One day (7 hours - 9 to 1 and 2 to 5)

Hardware and Software demonstrated:

Software: Photshop and Netscape.

Hardware: MAC - Power PC, IBM - Pentium processors with CD and sound card

5. Use of Authentic Software for Language Learning

This workshop will be devoted to discussing issues involved in using and making authentic language learning software. Issues such as the effective use of technology for language learning; qualities of software to be used for language learning; integrating class room teaching and use of software etc., will be dealt with in order to use the technology in a more efficient manner. Specific topics to be discussed in this workshop will be how to effectively integrate the text, sound and video; how to implement various testing techniques such as multiple choice tests, fill-in the blanks test, creative analysis of text and so on.

Template software developed using different techniques of language pedagogy will be reviewed and critiqued during the course of this workshop.

Duration: One day (7 hours - 9 to 1 and 2 to 5)

Hardware and Software demonstrated:
Software: Hypercard, Visual Basic, Netscape.

Hardware: MAC - Power PC, IBM - Pentium processors with CD and sound card