Open source lectures not only provide knowledge-seekers with convenient ways to obtain knowledge and information, they also serve as potential language learning resources that provide extensive language input and repeated exposure to vocabulary within specific topics or disciplines. This current study aims to examine the relationship between…

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…

Multiuser virtual environments (MUVEs) are quickly gaining importance as tools for foreign language instruction by promoting collaboration and social presence in a lifelike 3-D environment. One of the largest and fastest growing of these MUVEs is Linden Lab's "Second Life" (SL). With an international membership of over 9,000,000 residents, SL is…

Describes the development of "SuperMacLang, the 1990s version of the MacLang authoring system. An analysis of various features of the program explains the ways in which certain aspects of collaboration and funding affected developer and programming decisions. (Author/VWL)

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)

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)

Describes the genesis of the Libra authoring system and provides a detailed view of the design of a courseware program created by means of it. Lessons learned during the dissemination of the authoring system underscore the needs for more in-depth understanding of instructional design and the implementation of pedagogical principles by faculty…

Over the past decade, Brigham Young University has developed many interactive videodisc programs for personalized foreign language instruction, from early prototypal projects to current HyperCard and Toolbook packages. A broad description of the different models, their variations, and their implementation is provided. (Contains seven references.)…

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)

Provides a description of the Nuevos Destinos CD-ROM, a joint production for students learning Spanish at the advanced-beginning, intermediate-low, or native-speaker level. Nuevos Destinos involves students in meaningful ways by asking them to solve real-world problems encountered in law offices. (Author/VWL)

Describes the development of the "Portes ouvertes" CD-ROM, which was produced as an integrated part of a first-year method for elementary French. Details the design and production of the CD-ROM with reference to video and textbook elements where such reference is indispensable to an understanding of pedagogical foundations. (Author/VWL)

Discusses a project to design and implement a small French vocabulary tutor for the World Wide Web. Highlights salient features and design of the tutor and focuses on two variants of a module on technology-related vocabulary that were created using very straightforward html code and JavaScript. (Author/VWL)

This article is a revised version of a keynote address given at CALICO 1999. It describes the rapidly changing demography of the U.S. school population and the implications of these changes for pedagogical practices. Discusses implications of research priorities and directions for the work of those concerned with improving the effectiveness of…

Reemphasizes reading and literature in foreign language education and suggests that computer-enhanced reading instruction holds promise as a means to reintroduce culturally dense texts into the curriculum. (Author/VWL)

Discusses issues involved in creation and use of course Web sites for language learning. Examples are drawn from a German course taught at Virginia Commonwealth University. Course Web sites created from scratch are compared with sites created with a template-based authoring tool, "Web Course in a Box." (Author/VWL)