Projects
The Multimedia Language Laboratory supports a number of technology-enhanced language learning (TELL) projects. Some are course-related; others span a number of courses and are designed to help students and faculty use technology across the curriculum. Some of the MMLL's projects are pilots for systems that may be implemented campus-wide, e.g., the UR Moodle. Contextes and Intertextes, online projects for self-directed study of French literature, have been available for over five years. On-going projects are geared toward student production of multimedia and the use of emerging social technologies.
Multimedia Presentations
Every semester students in French 301, French Conversation through Cinema, produce multimedia presentations that explore one aspect of French film. Through these projects students improve their knowledge of cinematographic techniques, French language, critical thinking, media literacy, and technology. For more information about the integration of these projects into the curriculum and how these projects are supported, contact us.
Flickr and Virtual Exhibits
Students in a Russian Studies course used Flickr to build virtual exhibits of Russian painting and explain their choices to their peers. The MMLL supported this effort by teaching students to use Flickr for this purpose.
iPods and Podcasting
In 2006 – 2007, the MMLL supported the work of three faculty members who received iPod grants for 4 courses. A fifth course integrated podcasting-based tasks without using iPods in the course. In spring 2008, two more faculty members have received iPod grants for two courses, French at Work and Spanish in the Community. In addition, several faculty members have integrated the production of podcasts and enhanced podcasts into their courses. The MMLL supports all these efforts by consulting with the faculty involved as they plan their technology use, conducting workshops for students in the classes, hiring and training Student Technology Fellows to assist students and faculty as they work, and working with faculty to assess the outcomes of these projects. For more information about these projects, contact us.
Oral Communication and Assessment
An important part of language is oral communication, but it has often been difficult to assess. The MMLL is equipped with hard- and software that facilitates recording of students' oral work both individually and conversing over Skype. The MMLL has also begun to experiment with the use of digital recorders in MP3 players for self- and peer evaluation of oral activities.
