ERIC Number: ED266776
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1985
Pages: 15
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Computers in the Foreign Language Classroom: Not Just Another "Fad or Frill."
Cox, Ruth
Designed to assist foreign language teachers to become more computer literate, this paper discusses five major types of educational software currently on the market: (1) drill and practice; (2) tutorials; (3) simulations; (4) computer games; and (5) problem solvers. Possible uses for each type of program are given; in addition, specific programs designed for foreign language instruction are provided. It is also suggested that foreign language teachers write their own tutorials using such authoring languages as SuperPILOT by Apple, which is based on PASCAL, or Language Study Center from Teach Yourself by Computer Software, which contains an easy to use mini-authoring language program that allows the teacher to write any number of personalized new lessons following a prescribed format. Finally, cost effectiveness factors to consider in the selection of foreign language software are presented: careful selection of hardware and software, a knowledge of the needs of a particular school, understanding a software's capabilities and classroom applicability, the number of students who will benefit from the program, and an individual teacher's skill in utilizing a particular type of software. A list of references completes the paper. (JB)
Publication Type: Reports - Descriptive; Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Teachers; Practitioners
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A
Note: Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Mid-South Educational Research Association (14th, Biloxi, MS, November 1985).