John Bransford?

[Ilse Ackerman]

Dear Mia,

Thanks for your thoughtful reply.  We are developing the next version 
of the software, and I will also share your feedback with the R&D 
group....  :  )  I'm curious, what's the rating system you used?

Best regards,

ilse

> Overall, this is pretty good. I think it merits 83-87. It could score 
> higher by being more user-responsive. Don't get discouraged. Most 
> language learning materials don't rate above a 45-50. Many, especially 
> the text one, where a teacher is absolutely required, as is a good 
> memory, and the students don't really have a chance, don't get above a 
> 20.
>   
> Suggested improvements:
>      *** Improve the Nav
>     *** Target language interface
>      *** Greater technological support for improved distinctions 
> (motion for verbs, etc).
>      *** Word discrimination (I couldn't tell where the word breaks 
> were in Hebrew)  I did find the repeat sound option, though. [The 
> relationships weren't as good in the Hebrew as in Latin. They appear 
> to start with a cat, add the woman to the girl, add a man to the 
> woman, and then add A Different Man to the boy. In Latin, the 
> similarity in the pictures provides a scaffolding. In Hebrew, the 
> visual scaffolding goes awry.)
>   
> Sometimes, people who are native speakers of a language make loose and 
> wide assumptions about what it immediately apprehensible or 
> intuitively others. I generally find that speaking to them in 
> Technologicalese brings the problem home.
>   
> Thanks, this was fun and informative. I hope others try it out.
>   
> Best,
>  Mia
>  
> ----- Original Message -----
>  From: Ilse Ackerman
> To: ILAT at LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU
> Sent: Monday, September 27, 2004 8:25 AM
> Subject: Re: John Bransford?
>
>
> Hi Mia,
>
> Good question -- the indigenous language software isn't offered under 
> the same terms as our other languages. We don't produce indigenous 
> language software to sell directly to consumers. We're contracted by 
> indigenous language groups to produce the software, and they own the 
> final software and can replicate it and distribute it however they 
> wish, whether at cost to their community, or free to their schools, or 
> hosted online for a wider audience. So it requires an initial 
> investment of labor and money, and then the product can be used as 
> widely as desired.
>
> The software works by immersion because it uses images to convey 
> meaning. Then it uses those language elements as building blocks to 
> introduce further language step by step. There is actually an online 
> demo accessible at the following url. Although there's a form to fill 
> out, it only requires your name and email (not shared with third 
> parties).
>
> http://www.rosettastone.com/ind/free_demo
>
> Let me know if you have any questions. I'd be interested in your 
> feedback, too!
>
> ilse
>
> On Sep 27, 2004, at 9:38 AM, MiaKalish - LFP wrote:
>
>
> Hi, Ilse,
>  
> I looked up your company. You make quite a number of language learning 
> products. They seem to me a bit expensive, though, especially for the 
> Indigenous learner. How will the new products be priced?
>  
> Also, I didn't see any "try before you buy" downloads. How do they 
> work?
>  
> Thanks, and thanks for your kind words. Sometimes the list is so 
> quiet, I'm not sure anyone is there, but I am very glad to see there 
> is.
>  
> Mia
>  
>  
>  
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Ilse Ackerman
>  To: ILAT at LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU
>  Sent: Monday, September 27, 2004 6:41 AM
> Subject: Re: John Bransford?
>
>
> On Sep 25, 2004, at 8:49 AM, MiaKalish - LFP wrote:
>
>
> One more question: Does anyone know the work of John Bransford? I just 
> noticed that he has quite a collection of books on computer supported 
> learning, the psychology of learning, etc, and I wondered if people 
> have combined any of this with L&C Revitalization, or multi-lingual 
> educational materials.
>  
> Maybe just one more question: Does anyone out there work on 
> multi-lingual educational materials? Computer-based?
>
> Dear Mia,
>
> I've enjoyed reading your posts. I work on computer-based immersion 
> software for language revitalization. Two indigenous language projects 
> are underway, about six months from completion. The software has been 
> successful for teaching mainstream languages, and I'm eager to see the 
> results in the Mohawk and Iñupiaq communities.
>
> Best wishes on your move and studies....
>
> ilse
> ____________________________
> Ilse Ackerman
> Program Manager
> Endangered Language Program
> Fairfield Language Technologies
> Harrisonburg, VA 22802 USA
>
> Tel 1.800.788.0822 Ext. 3318
> Tel 1.540.432.6166 Ext. 3318
> Fax 1.540.432.0953
>
> www.rosettastone.com/languagerescue
> _______________________________
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