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 Ratings
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| Reviewed: |
Jan 23, 2009 by World Languages Editorial Board |
| Overview: |
Colibrí is an online collection of illustrated short stories, legends, word games and classroom activities. The larger digital library to which Colibri belongs, ILCE, contains nonfiction resources such as stories about Mexican history, human anatomy, zoology and astronomy. |
| Learning Goals: |
Colibrí may be used for vocabulary development and reading comprehension skills as well as cultural lessons. A good use of Colibrí is to facilitate the acquisition of Spanish language and Latin American culture for students beyond the first year of study. However, the information on the site regarding ancient American civilizations could enhance cultural lessons at any language level. For instance, the many superb illustrations of Colibrí could be coupled with simple language in first-year Spanish classes and generate very effective lessons. |
| Target Student Population: |
As the site is designed by and for native speakers of Spanish, its ideal users are advanced language learners. However, with sufficient scaffolding and pre-reading activities, the stories may be accessible to beginning through intermediate foreign language learners. |
| Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills: |
Basic literacy in Spanish is required to understand the stories as no English text or glossing is available. The vocabulary presented is more advanced than what is typically seen in introductory Spanish textbooks.To get the maximum benefit from Colibrí, students should be able to understand Spanish at a relatively advanced level. This includes knowledge of the subjunctive mood. The detailed vocabulary in the modules may prove too difficult for beginning Spanish students. |
| Type of Material: |
Collection with childrens readings related to both the natural sciences and the history and culture of native civilizations in America. The readings are supplemented with games and classroom activities. |
| Recommended Uses: |
Educators can use Colibrí to teach culture with help from a variety of illustrations in the readings. Intermediate, advanced, and native- speaker students could use the readings on the native civilizations of America. |
| Technical Requirements: |
Flash required. |
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| Strengths: |
The collection contains over 70 fiction and non-fiction stories divided among 24 separate thumbnail "chapters" as well as nearly 100 word games and brainteasers.
The colorful illustrations by numerous artists on every page engage the user and aid in reading comprehension. The breadth of information covered allows learners to make connections with other disciplines such as science and history. Moreover, the inclusion of indigenous literature encourages cross-cultural comparisons with minority language groups within the target language. "Cuento del conejo y el coyote", for example, features side-by-side Zapoteco and Spanish transcriptions of the oral tale. The readings concerning ancient civilizations elucidate the daily life of the people and their cultural traditions. In some cases, they even teach some basic Aztec language. The vibrant illustrations that accompany the readings involving natural sciences are impressive and will undoubtedly draw students to the target content. Some readings use ancient folklore to help present topics in modern science. |
| Concerns: |
Colibrí takes the form of a website containing stories for children. Educators need to be careful, however, to facilitate the tasks for beginning Spanish students. The level of language ranges from intermediate to native and would prove too frustrating for beginners. |
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Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool |
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| Strengths: |
The site's preference for illustrations over explanatory text on the home page increases curiosity. Users browsing the site are rewarded with beautiful illustrations as they maneuver through each section. In beginning-level classes, instructors could use the illustrations alone in order to teach culture.
Colibrí would be particularly useful as a resource for additional reading materials for highly motivated, independent language learners. It is a valuable resource that, if used judiciously, will facilitate the acquisition of language and culture. |
| Concerns: |
The twenty-first century language learner who is accustomed to internet-based games will be disappointed by the game section. While the games are valuable tools in increasing vocabulary and learning more about Mexican cultural traditions, they are not interactive in a technological sense. Instead, they must be printed from the Website to be completed.
Language learners would be better served by the inclusion of glosses to facilitate comprehension of the text. |
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Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty |
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| Strengths: |
The site possesses a superlative use of color and represents a vast array of artistic styles.
Colibrí's advantage over a traditional library collection is that the materials are available at no cost and, apart from the games, do not need to be printed or photocopied.
Navigation through the site is facilitated by the ability to return to the home page or navigate forward and backwards from each page. |
| Concerns: |
This site would be vastly improved with the addition of a searchable index of its wide array of information and short descriptions of each story. |
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| Other Issues and Comments: |
While Colibrí offers its users a vast array of primary texts and beautiful illustrations, instructors will be responsible for creating pre- and post-reading activities, including comprehension questions and other assignments. |
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