|
|
 Ratings
|
|
|
| Reviewed: |
May 11, 2006 by World Languages Editorial Board |
| Overview: |
This website is designed for both teachers and students of foreign and second
languages. The program can be downloaded to operate in virtually any language,
so students who are not native speakers of English will find using the program
much easier. The target language is not used exclusively, unless both teachers
and students are only looking to practice one language. It is essentially a
chat program that offers audio, video, and written text chat capabilities, and
allows students or teachers to search for native speakers of the target language
who in return are looking to advance their skills in the students or teachers
native language. The skills areas addressed using this program are speaking,
writing, listening, and reading, as Skype (the chat program used as the
communication medium) enables its users to engage in all four activities at
once, in addition to video chat. The learning outcomes are (if used
consistently) very good. A teacher can assign students to listen to native
speakers of the target language (he or she may choose whichever region and
dialect is preferred) hence focusing mainly on improving listening and speaking
skills while simultaneously utilizing abilities in reading and writing. This
website contains links only to Skype as an outside resource. The technical
requirements are computer with internet access, microphone, speakers, and an
optional webcam; this program can be run with Windows, MAC, Linux, or Pocket PC,
so it is very accessible.
|
| Learning Goals: |
Conversation skills development in target language
|
| Target Student Population: |
Learners of languages
|
| Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills: |
|
| Type of Material: |
Conversation partner matching
|
| Recommended Uses: |
|
| Technical Requirements: |
|
|
|
|
| Strengths: |
A search engine which allows a student or teacher to search for a language
partner or even an entire class is commendable. The student can very quickly
find someone by searching for the exact language they wish to practice. Also,
the immediate availability of exposure to a native speaker from whom one can
receive individual attention is invaluable in any language classroom. Speaking
can be practiced, which is often the most difficult thing to teach in a
traditional classroom setting.
|
| Concerns: |
The search engine is limited to a search by language, so if you are looking to
study a particular countrys dialect (where they differ greatly with languages
such as Arabic, Spanish, French etc
) it is quite difficult to find an ideal
partner right away. In addition, the website does not have access to a great
deal of language partners; e.g., many hits for Spanish, but almost none for
Russian or Turkish. Not all languages are readily available. The searches ought
to require more detailed information in the profiles in order to make searching
more efficient and descriptive in the information displays that come up when one
searches. Now, information varies greatly from person to person both in
usefulness and clarity. For example, classroom times are from Monday-Friday
10am-4pm. There is no specification on time zone. Time differences are a big
problem as well, when dealing with language partners in different time zones.
Perhaps if time zones were specified, a teacher would more quickly be able to
tell if live chat was possible during class or not. Also, many users have not
signed on in over a year or several months.
|
|
|
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool |
Rating:    |
|
| Strengths: |
This program is extremely useful as a teaching-learning tool because of the
variety of skills for which it provides practice. Since it permits access to a
native speaker (something difficult to come by in language classrooms all too
often),
the students are exposed to natural spoken and written language and can
use this exposure as both a model for and a means of improvement in their target
language usage. The anonymity provides for a less frustrating learning
environment where students feel more comfortable practicing the language. In
situations where two languages are being practiced, students can switch back and
forth between target and native language to ease mental pressure during each
encounter with the language partner.
|
| Concerns: |
This program would be difficult to use in group work. Conference calls are a
feature on the Skype program, however, so this would help in the event that one
class has an uneven student ratio. This way, everyone can have a language
partner, even if some need to share. Conference calls could be geared toward
more advanced learners who would not feel as intimidated by speaking to more
than one native at a time.
|
|
|
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty |
| Rating: |
|
| Strengths: |
This program is very easy to use. The search functions are all clearly labeled
and easy to find on the Mixxer site, and the Skype program is easy to use as
well. The buttons are colorfully distinguished from one another, illustrations
clearly explain each function, and there is great technical support provided,
including searchable troubleshooting pages, FAQ, and direct email support for
individual questions not found in the troubleshooting section.
|
| Concerns: |
|
|
|
| Other Issues and Comments: |
|
|
