Destination Berlin: A Multimedia Approach to Foreign Language Learning

Snyder, Elizabeth         (828) 273-4933

Assistant Professor

Foreign Languages

UNC Asheville

First co-presenter:	House, Edward
Organization:	UNC Asheville

Abstract (up to 200 words):
This presentation will discuss the development of a new computer-enhanced course to be offered in spring 2004 via Interactive Television in the UNC German Studies Consortium. The course wil explore the City Berlin as an important political and cultural site for many major events of the 20th century. This project is experimental and draws heavily on current information and research regarding different learning styles, as well as multimedia-enhanced second language acquisition. Key issues in designing the course include an awareness of cognitive and socio-cognitive learning styles, whereby students’ cognitive retention of new language patterns is paired with the social context and implementation of this language outside the classroom. A third element to be incorporated in these methods is what can be termed the “reward” principle. Course information will not only be presented in a variety of formats (text, audio, video), but will offer something rewarding that makes the learner want to go on. Using various multimedia software and tools, content can be designed so that the student is able to “interact” with particular modules. Since these will be experimental techniques, we ask and invite any input from participants on ways to improve this concept or on similar work and/or technology being used today.

Related materials:
index.htm

Session type:
Short presentation (20 minutes)

Time slots:
C9 - Fr 4:30 - 5:15

Room:
Augusta A

Last Modified September 9, 2003
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