Software and Video Reviews |
Je, tu, il... by Club PoM (for MacIntosh) Word Torture by Hypergolt Software Company
by Paula Kristmanson, research officer, SLEC (Vol. 51, no. 3, 1995)
Private Language Teacher by Secant Software Co. Hachette Vidéo-Guide-le programme d'hexagone internationale by Gessler Publishing Co. À la rencontre de Philippe by The Athena Language Learning Project- Yale
by Paula Kristmanson, research officer, SLEC (Vol. 51, no. 4, 1995)
Reflets français: Eric Vincent Chante! Tout Paris by Bernard Petit
by Paula Kristmanson, research officer, SLEC (Vol. 52, no. 3, 1996)
Software and video reviews published in the Canadian Modern Language Review /
La Revue canadienne des langues vivantes
Club PoM (for Macintosh). Je, tu, il... New York:
Gessler Publishing Co. Inc., 1994.
This drill-based software takes the form of a children's board game and includes multiple choice (i.e, choose the appropriate pronoun) or cloze format (i.e., conjugate the appropriate verb) questions. Despite its juvenile format, the grammar questions can be challenging even at the lowest level of difficulty. Although this game has little communicative value in itself since students do not necessarily need to understand the context in order to reply correctly, the 2-3 player game format may stimulate conversation.
by Paula Kristmanson, research officer, SLEC
The Athena Language Learning Project-Yale. À la Rencontre de Philippe. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1992
"À la Rencontre de Philippe" is an interactive multimedia French language learning application on the
leading edge of language learning software. The application combines the technology of Macintosh with that of videodisc in an original pedagogical approach to French language and culture. The objective of the "Philippe" game is somewhat problem-based in that a scenario is provided and the player then sets out to resolve the given dilemma- in this case, finding an apartment for "Philippe". The creators of this software have explicitly recognized the role of culture in the language learning experience. Because of the subject treated, this game may be more appropriate for mature learners (high school and up).
by Paula Kristmanson, research officer, SLEC
Secant Software. The Private Language Teacher: Interactive Authoring Systems I and II. Richmond, BC, 1993.
This authoring tool allows the user to create personalized versions of the software by inputting written text and audio recordings designed to meet specific needs and objectives. System I is a basic pronunciation program involves listening to (and reading) a given text, repeating it and then comparing it to the original recording. System II provides a question and answer format in which the student listens to (and reads) a given question and then responds. It is in the authoring characteristic that lies the unlimited potential of this particular software. Interaction, albeit simulated, is a key component to this software package and thus it could be easily integrated into a communicative SLL environment.
by Paula Kristmanson, research officer, SLEC
CD ROM Review:
Set in a French context, it provides authentic audio and video clips on topics such as travel, fashion and weather. While the pedagogical components of this software are not carefully thought out, it does provide transcription, glossary and slowed speech functions. An experienced teacher, who is comfortable with this technology, could easily find ways to integrate it into a multidimensional SLL environment.
VideoLinguist, Cubic Media Inc. 1993
This particular CD-ROM, although it does not appear to be designed particularly for classroom use, does have potential in this milieu.
by Paula Kristmanson, research officer, SLEC
CD ROM Review: This CD-ROM as well as another entitled "Videolinguist" by Cubic Media Inc. are available for in-house use or 1-day loans at the Harriet Irving Library, UNB.
Larousse Multimédia Encyclopédique (1996). France: Larousse.
As the name suggests this CD-ROM takes the form of an electronic Encyclopedia/ Dictionary. An excellent resource for any classroom library, this French language research tool covers literally thousands of topics of interest. The built-in search mechanism facilitates research in a variety of areas such as geography, cinema, artists, mathematics, literature, inventors, historical events and so on. The multimedia component combines written texts with photos, maps, graphs, quick-time video, and short audio texts. The dictionary function, which is particularly helpful for second language learners, allows the user to find definitions for randomly selected vocabulary or for words found in the written texts. Although students should not rely on this CD-ROM as their only source of information, it would certainly be one useful resource.
by Paula Kristmanson, research officer, SLEC
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