One Computer Options

When I taught my student in one computer classroom 5years ago, I used to use Real Audio(RA) by Progressive Works Inc.
Real Audio is a software package that allows users to listen to sounds and watch videos on or off the Internet.
By using this program, my students could listen to radio programs like music, talk radio, and interviews. There were also educational programs for distance education, family programs for family issues, etc.
Real Audio was a new technology that was not being used in the EFL classroom that time. but had the possibility to greatly enhance language learning. Some benefits students could enjoy include :
Listening to sound clips over and again.
Listening to a variety of voices which strengthens listening ability.
Being encouraged to become more independent learners.
Listening to spontaneous speech.
Reading and listening at the same time.
Some benefits teachers/administrators could enjoy include:
Minimal cost if a computer and the Internet were accessible.
Freedom to work with those students who needed individual assistance while allowing more independent learners proceeded at their own pace.
Increased student motivation.
Increased learner independence.
The ability to retrieve and use thousands of sound clips, not just the ones in the school tape livrary.
The ability to retrieve and use thousands of sound clips, not just the ones in the school tape livrary.
The ability to integrate Real Audio with other HTML based materials
RA sound clips are intrinsically motivation as the materials themselves were of interest to the students. The range of materials in enormous and the range were growing everyday. If my webmates have a little time to search and develop some matereals, RA sound clips provide a useful and interesting way of sharpening students listening skills.
There are some things to remember for people who develop and implement these matereals. First of all, it is important to select materials appropriate to the learners. Language students can quickly become fatigued listening to exercises that are beyond their abilities.
Thus, in order to limit frustration and increase motivation, use sound clips that are within the students grasp.
It is also important to provide a purpose for the listening activity.
Having a purpose provides students with a reason to actively listen. By giving students a task listening activity, teachers can also measure how- well the students understood the sound clip. Finally, task oriented listening activities contribute to motivation.
Fun activities or success oriented activities where students win a game because they completed a task are some possible techniques for increasing motivation in a listening activity.
Students without a purpose for listening will exhibit less motivation for succeeding.

Cordially yours
Choi