The Texas Language Technology Center Project is an award-winning, FIPSE grant supported program at the University of Texas at Austin. The TLTC provides open access to high quality online instructional materials in foreign languages including Arabic, French, German, Italian,Persian, Portuguese and Spanish. The individual language web sites are being built on the model of Français interactif, a complete first year French program online which has itself received a five star peer review from MERLOT. Français interactif was awarded 1st place in the University's 2004 IITAP competition and was given the National Endowment for the Humanities EDSITEment Best of Humanities on the Web award (2005). The principal TLTC Faculty developers are Carl Blyth, Karen Kelton and Nancy Guilloteau and the faculty team which includes many distinguished members,such as 2009 Dean's Fellow Orlando Kelm, technical team members and student evaluators.
Other TLTC projects that have received five star reviews from MERLOT include Tex's French Grammar, Spanish Proficiency Exercises and Ta Falado. Additional individual TLTC projects peer reviews will appear in MERLOT shortly.
Type of Material:
Collection; Online curricular materials
Recommended Uses:
TLTC language materials are used at the University of Texas, but are also intended for independent use by learners everywhere.
Technical Requirements:
QuickTime v6.5 or higher, mp3 audio, Flash or Shockwave plug-in v4 or higher
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Learner will make gains in listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Learner will make gains in the study of the target culture.
Target Student Population:
Students of all the featured languages in the TLTC projects.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
None for some projects. Certain materials require prior experience with the target language.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
The materials of the Texas Language Technology Project employ 21st century methodologies and are being designed by language educators who have a demonstrated track record of high quality in terms of pedagogy and technology. Additionally, they have sought the input of students who help them identify the most engaging exercises and activities. They use humor, video and music to engage a variety of learning styles. Their materials stand on their own and access to them is open and free to users. They have a long track record of recognized excellence and longevity on the web, because of their excellent content.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
Students enjoy learning in a good-humored way. Tex the cartoon armadillo, of Tex's French Grammar fame, speaks French with a Texas accent and has been a great hit in French classes around the country for years. The pedagogy is complete for every point of French grammar, but its engaging presentation promotes time on task. Busy students can also subscribe to the lessons as podcasts.
Relying on the latest technology, "Cantar de mío Cid" is accessible to modern language learners in a manner never available before. The site provides students with the audio, graphic and textual references needed to fully enjoy this dynamic poem. This module allows one to approach Spanish classical literature in an exciting and interactive way. The oral rendition is very clear and can be used to illustrate the power of storytelling in poems like el Cantar de mio Cid. Even if educators choose not to use the text in Old Spanish, students will be able to hear an oral interpretation of what they are reading in modern Spanish.
The TLTC projects all take the learning styles and preferences of today's students into consideration in their work.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The materials are culturally appropriate and aesthetically pleasing. They are extremely easy to use. Navigation is clear.
Concerns:
none
Other Issues and Comments:
no
Creative Commons:
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