The development of both the materials for an intermediate-level hybrid German writing course and the software in a virtual learning environment for the course may be viewed as activity systems. Viewing the individual components of each system as interrelated enables us to conceptualize the complexities of the development process, which goes well…

Most currently available computer-assisted language learning offerings fall into three categories: instructional, collaborative, and facilitative. Each is described and cost-effective approaches to using them are noted. (Contains two references.) (LB)

The Macintosh HyperCard environment has become a popular platform for Japanese language courseware because of its flexibility and ease of programing. This project created Japanese bitmap font files for the JIS Levels 1 and 2, and writing XFCNs for font manipulation, Japanese kana input, and answer correction. (12 references) (Author/LB)

With the advent of web-based programs that automate the scoring of exercises, materials are now being developed from the outset with the capabilities of the web in mind. Materials developed without consideration of the web's capabilities, on the other hand, must be retrofitted. Texts that are retrofitted to the web have the advantage of being…

Presents the latest hardware, and pedagogical and theoretical advances in computer-assisted language learning and describes an actual design implementation in a Spanish course. (Author/SED)

Despite the problems presented by lexical errors in second language (L2) communication, most computer assisted language learning (CALL) programs tend to focus on the acquisition of grammar points rather than on the development of the L2 lexicon. In addition, CALL vocabulary tasks are typically limited in scope and mechanical in nature, covering…

Results of a two-year project (L'Italiano interattivo) conducted in collaboration with the Norwegian Computing Centre for the Humanities to produce learner-directed Italian courseware are reported. The SuperCard-developed program allows students to work with video, exercises, grammar, dictionary, or transcripts. (Author/LB)

Question and answer column about the CD ROM medium discusses: (1) optical storage devices available; (2) language teaching applications; (3) types of courseware available; (4) costs to hook up a CD ROM drive as a peripheral to an existing system; (5) how to go about developing and mastering a disk; and (6) mastering and replication costs.…

Describes speech digitization with the Victor 9000 computer which produces natural-sounding speech, conveniently produced and readily integrated into programs having a realistic context. Programing techniques, pedagogical strategies and concerns, and the machine's recording procedures are discussed. (SED)

An experiment tested two software packages, Master Max and Yourturn, in a real learning environment and suggested one possible way of integrating the computer into the language classroom. It is argued that for secondary education the computer's "tool function" is most important, giving more practical emphasis to second-language learning.…

The computer has its own "niches" in language learning in which it functions well in helping students learn a foreign language. Such niches are discussed in the context of developing individualized courseware for developing skill in reading with explanations, speed reading and spelling, and inferencing. (Author/LB)

The properties of German as a special language of mechanical engineering are examined on the basis of a newly compiled corpus including samples from all important disciplines and discourse styles. The syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic aspects of passive voice are the chief research goal. (Contains five references.) (Author/LB)

Outlines the design considerations that go into making an authoring system. Uses examples from the author's system, "Private Tutor," to illustrate. Emphasis is on the concepts that define the operation of the authoring system. Also discusses design principles of "Private Tutor" in relation to the Macintosh computer. (Author/LMO)

Suggests that insights from other disciplines be considered when evaluating computer-assisted language instruction materials. Issues which need to be considered when evaluating these materials include: design issues, user-machine interfacing, support documentation, screen layout, color and animation, and restricted visual display capacity. (SED)

Describes an authoring language created specifically for composing computer-assisted language drills. Students can receive written or visual cues, edit their answers, and summon additional information using the Macintosh microcomputer's pull-down menus and multiple windows. (Author/SED)