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 Ratings
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| Reviewed: |
Nov 06, 2002 by World Languages Editorial Board |
| Overview: |
Kaleidoskop is an extensive, growing site presenting a wide range of topics
concerning everyday life in Germany that have universal appeal (such as persons,
places, institutions, etc.) and provides insights into how Germans of all ages
live, think and feel.
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| Learning Goals: |
The learner will strengthen reading, writing and listening comprehension skills
and will expand vocabulary. S/He will become very familiar with numerous
aspects of German culture.
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| Target Student Population: |
Students with intermediate and advanced proficiency in German as well as those
interested in the culture of Germany and the activities of 'regular'
Germans.
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| Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills: |
One year of college German or its equivalent.
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| Type of Material: |
Lecture and presentation, including audio and video materials.
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| Recommended Uses: |
Due to the nature of the content, the material can be readily and easily
integrated into lesson plans or used for independent study. The site?s author
has provided tips for instructional use, additional links and suggestions for
exercises. In fact, he has designated a section ?fuer Lehrer/for teachers?
which offers tips and requests feedback.
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| Technical Requirements: |
The site makes use of animations, video, and audio. RealPlayer is required.
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| Strengths: |
Kaleidoskop excels at presenting the everyday culture of people of all ages in
Germany and does not stray from this organizing principle. The choice of the
overall theme and the topics is relevant (plain presentation vs. critical
treatment of cliches, stereotypes, and generalizations).
The content is currently divided into 10 themes that are further subdivided into
various categories. The theme ?Geschmack,? for example, has 15 subcategories
presenting individual preferences for food, vacations, etc. The content is
up-to-date and appealing to a large audience. The depth and quality of the
material are definite strengths.
The language of the individual readings is represented in context and reflects
the appropriate register of the speakers. Slang, colloquialisms and more
difficult constructs are highlighted and linked to explanations in German.
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| Concerns: |
The German du/ihr/Sie forms of address are not uniformly applied, occasionally
resulting in a somewhat too causal, familiar tone of address.
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Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool |
Rating:  |
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| Strengths: |
The site offers a highly effective framework for teaching and learning. There
is something for almost any type of learner and for many styles of reception.
Exercises of various types are included, as are answers (where feasible and
appropriate). Where applicable, the most important vocabulary items are
explained. For certain readings, the glossary for framed windows pops up in the
upper right hand area. Selections come in varying degrees of difficulty (short
to long, "easy" to challenging) as well as in different forms and media
(interviews, articles, reports, images, sound files, prose texts, lists, etc.).
Many opportunities for input are provided,
including options to respond to
questions and to exchange with other visitors. Another strength of
the site is its ?Forum? feature, linked from many pages, which encourages
discussion and interaction.
A general section specifically designed for instructors is included. In this
section, more background information on the entire project and the underlaying
theory and pedagogy as well as professional information about the author can be
found. Teachers are encouraged to add contributions, including their own
teaching tips.
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| Concerns: |
The forum appears to end in mid-2001; only some have ongoing contributions. The
archiving program may be defective.
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Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty |
| Rating: |
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| Strengths: |
The site is easy and straightforward to navigate but requires a little
experience. A table of contents, accessible from all points, is provided, and
there is a clear separation into chapters and topics (and sub-categories).
Images serve to briefly introduce the topic, accompanied by a short introductory
text. All themes and the individual contributions are very well structured and
organized. Text links and image links do different things (however, this is
explained). Many pages offer further links, on-site as well as off-site. A
"help" and "news" file are always available, as is a feedback link.
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| Concerns: |
The site makes full use of the strengths of the medium (hyper-linking),
which--oddly--might occasionally lead to the danger of visitors getting "lost"
in a way, and feeling they are going around in circles. There is a wealth of
material at one?s fingertips, i.e., many links, which can lead one astray.
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| Other Issues and Comments: |
It appears that the material has been regularly reviewed only until 2000.
Nevertheless, Kaleidoskop is a superb resource.
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