Arabic-L:PEDA:Falooka Subscriptions for Educational Institutions

[Dilworth Parkinson]

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Arabic-L: Tue 28 Jan 2014
Moderator: Dilworth Parkinson <dilworth_parkinson at byu.edu>
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1) Subject: Falooka Subscriptions for Educational Institutions

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1)
Date: 28 Jan 2014
From: gad at falooka.com
Subject: Falooka Subscriptions for Educational Institutions

Q. What makes Falooka different?
Falooka’s motto: Community Power Learning – built by students for students.

Falooka's game-like flavor encourages Arabic language students to jump-in
selecting one-of-nine "3-Month Challenge programs." Students gain
Ookapoints as they teach lower level students (for money or free); post in
the New Feed on Middle Eastern culture; and form ‘Ookafriends’ with Arabic
language students and native instructors.

Q. Where is Falooka now?
Falooka just finished upgrading to a mobile responsive platform AND is
offering Arabic language students, for the first time, weekly structured
assignments called *Ookapackets.* *Ookapackets* are image driven and
color-coded; designed as a nine-level study program from beginner-low to
superior.

Falooka took seven years to build. Six years of writing, editing, and
testing. Under one year to build a drupal 7 community platform and to move
to a virtual private server. (Jan 2014 the work was acknowledged by the
founders of Drupal, Acquia, resulting in a partnership agreement). News
Feed postings of images and videos can now be shared with Facebook and
Twitter.

Q. How was Falooka tested?
Testing was not postponed to the end of the building cycle. Falooka was
tested throughout the entire 7-year building stretch. Daily. Feedback from
students was continuously addressed.

Students were the major contributors of Falooka. Student questions were
recorded then answered building a memorandum of written grammar
explanations with carefully selected examples. Streets lights of caution
and stop were added for fun. The color-coded materials can be used by 11
years of age learners (with assistance) as well as adult self-learners.
Falooka was tested at New York University's Speak Freely Program and used
by Johns Hopkins University while building. Building started in 2007 (used
to be called Arabic Complete). Falooka strives to incorporate the 5C's
ACTFL standards.

Q. Did Falooka address the diglossic issue?
Yes, Falooka is both in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and the Egyptian
dialect. Podcasts, readings, and videos are duplicated in both languages.
All Arabic text was carefully voweled and reviewed over a 4-year period.

Q. Can teachers add to the content?
Yes, teachers can now create quizzes and add videos for their students.
Teachers can tailor and publish lessons.

Q. How much does Falooka cost?
Libraries and language labs: $100/year
Subscribe before Feb 15th: $75/year
(Subscription is for audio access).
Classroom usage rates: http://falooka.com/ookacontent/site-licence/

Setup is easy for over 700 web pages of learning materials (with questions
& answers). Plus, 7,000 audios recorded by native Egyptians, 80 podcasts,
and over 50 videos.

Falooka is confident it can add to the Arabic language learning community
as well as promote cultural exchange.

For a website tour please reach out to me at gad at falooka.com
Falooka's home page: http://falooka.com

Check out our resources:
Nine-level syllabus program:
http://falooka.com/ookacontent/nine-level-program/

Easily connect your language lab to Falooka (all readings free):
http://falooka.com/ookacontent/link-to-us/

Please reach out if you have any suggestions. I am open to partnerships and
related work.

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