Peer Review

Radio Arlecchino

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Reviewed:: Jul 5, 2010 by World Languages

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Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

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Overview:: Radio Arlecchino, produced at the College of Liberal Arts, University of Texas at Austin, provides free audio lessons to be used by Intermediate and advanced Italian learners. Users can listen to the mp3 archives directly from the web page, download them onto their computers or subscribe to a RSS feed (podcast). The web site is clearly organized in 7 tabs: Home, Podcast, Commedia dell’Arte, RSS, About us, Blog, Site Map. Each audio track is built upon a specific Italian grammar point - likes and dislikes, talking about the future for example - and presented through Commedia dell’Arte characters. The 22 audio files combines dialog in English between 2 speakers (male and female) with examples and explanations in English and a short story in Italian. Length of each track: about 10 minutes. A bilingual Italian/English PDF transcript is available for each audio episode.
Type of Material:: Learning object repository Italian Podcast
Recommended Uses:: In a blended learning environment, the Podcasts in Radio Arlecchino could be used as an introduction to the specific grammar aspect that is to be taught; e.g. the Podcasts could be previewed by the learner in their own time when they feel they ar more receptive to it. They can then repeat it if they feel the need. Multiple choice questions or gap filling tasks with immediate feedback could help learners self assess their learning. In case of queries, the discussion Blog could be used. In face to face sessions, the language functions are practiced in a social environment to develop the speaking skill of interaction and production. Discussion in Italian on the cultural aspects could be organised as well. A cloze test could check the overall learning of the language. In an online learning course, learners listen to individual podcasts with (or without) reference to the downloaded transcripts which include dialogues where a grammar aspect is introduced and taught in the context of the Commedia del’Arte. Learners can also listen to and read about the Cultural aspects relating to performing arts. A multiple choice question with immediate feedback can help the learners check their learning. The site can be used for individual, self-paced instruction or as a companion to institutional instruction.
Technical Requirements:: • An internet enabled PC or Mac • Browser – IE 7 for PC users . iTunes v5 or higher, on MacOS X and Windows platforms • Adobe to open, view and print the transcripts in PDF format • sound card and audio to listen to the podcasts • Individual episodes require space for downloading which is specified on the screen.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: The learner will develop and improve the listening and reading skills at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The materials will enhance • the understanding of Italian grammar, specifically, the communicative language functions such as describing and comparing, recommending, expressing opinions, likes and dislikes, hypothesizing, recounting the past and talking about the future • an awareness of the culture of comedy and performing art
Target Student Population:: • High School • Higher Education where Italian is taught as a major component of the curriculum such as International Business Management • Lifelong Learning and Adult Education at Level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages Intermediate and advanced Italian learners.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: A. The learner should be at least a Basic Italian language User and be linguistically competent up to Level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and be able to • understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment) • communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters • describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need B. The learner should have Basic IT knowledge and skills: • switch on/off the computer • browse the website • find the Radio Arlecchino site • subscribe to the Podcasts • adjust the volume to suit personal needs • contribute to the Blogs • download the transcripts • create files for saving downloaded files

Content Quality

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Strengths:: The content/language of the learning material is valid and reliable. It is generally accurate. Examples of the use of the functions give adequate depth to the lesson ensuring that the independent learner achieves the learning goal. The grammatical notes and the cultural notes give the learner further explanations, the former demonstrating the context in which the language functions are used. The audio material provided is enjoyable and very well structured in 3 steps: a dialog between 2 English speakers presents the topic, a short story in Italian shows clear examples and finally the 2 speakers give further explanations in English with some translations when needed. Users can listen to the audio file with or without the support of the bilingual transcript of the Italian text. Users can enter a comment after each episode in the Blog. These audio files can also be used to learn more about Italian Culture, especially about Commedia dell’Arte. The web site provides some external links about famous Italian masks. Here an overview of these external links, all in English: 1) Del Piano personal website http://www.delpiano.com/carnival/html/commedia.html Roberto Delpiano is an Italian International photographer and artist. The Commedia del arte page is within the Venice Carnival section http://www.delpiano.com/carnival/html/venice_car.html The page presents 13 characters from the Commedia and the 13 links are working. In Delpiano’s web site there is a tab called “SEX” but it’s a joke: no sex at all but SAX (music) http://www.delpiano.com/html/sex.html 2) Judith Chaffee personal webpage http://www.commedia-dell-arte.com/ Judith Chaffee is a professor and coach in Period Movement, Warm ups for Actors and Choreography. This website provides resources, a timeline, a bibliography, and links. The links about Commedia dell’Arte are working 3) David Claudon web page http://www.davidclaudon.com/arte/commedia.html Last update October 15, 2003 Last revision July 2004 – blog updated June 2010 This website provides resources and 9 external links about Commedia dell’Arte (3 not available anymore) If used as part of a curriculum, the tutor can create tasks to develop the speaking skills - interaction and production according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages(http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/LanguageSelfAssessmentGrid/en). The external links help the learner to learn from other authentic sources.
Concerns:: One concern is the spelling of Conditionatore. In Italian it should be Condizionatore.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

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Strengths:: This collection of learning materials has potential to be effective as it clearly identifies the learning objectives at the beginning of each episode in the podcasts and the blog discussions. This is important for independent learners. It also has potential to be integrated into the curriculum and used for teaching, learning and assessment. For the learner who prefers the audio learning style, this collection certainly enhances the learning. Nevertheless, a visual learner can see the transcript of the Podcast and improve their pronunciation, visualise the scene etc. Overall, hearing the voices of the characters in the scenes having seen and read about them will lend some kind of authenticity. The sound and the colourful images on the pages keep the learner engaged. The 24/7 accessibility of the material allow the learners to listen to the lessons and engage with the situation as and when they like. Learning objectives are clear. Grammar points are easy to understand thanks to the well structured and enjoyable presentation. Material is easy to used and/or re-used in different settings and can be used by students and teachers. A blog is available with a quick sum up of each podcast and a direct link to the podcast. Users can post comments.
Concerns:: The entry level or the prerequisite knowledge needs to be mentioned either at the beginning of each episode or in the Introduction to the collection to enable learners to enjoy learning and continue to be motivated throughout the course. Perhaps an Initial Assessment type of entry level check test would be helpful. Good learning assignments such as reflection questions on certain aspects of the lesson could be posted on the Blog. Comments on the Blog can be summarised by the Podcast Team after a certain period. This discussion tool needs to be in Italian it consolidate the skills development. Learners will be encouraged to think and respond in the target language. Alternatively, the comments can be collected for discussion in class under the teacher's supervision and guidance. If iPods are used for listening to the lessons, the learners could find it difficult to go back to the About Us tab on the computer screen to remind themselves about the physical features and role of the characters. Sometimes it helps with the learning if the learners can place the characters.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

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Strengths:: It is easy to use as it has very clear and consistent instructions which makes navigation smooth.It is visually appealing with the colourful images of high design quality. The Blog discussion makes the collection interactive; the learner can make comments and ask questions post Podcasts which operate efficiently as the multi media are working. Site Map is clear and displays contents at a glance as well as contact information. Core content is immediately available and easy to download. PDF transcript are also easy to read and easy to download (save as). Interactivity is present through the entries posted under the Blog tab. The website is a very nice and well structured repository. The objective is not to keep users surfing on the website but to guide them directly to the audio files they want. This is why the web site is not extremely visually appealing. The hyperlinks to the external sites are active and working.
Concerns:: no

Other Issues and Comments:: Podcasts are an alternative medium for students who are not strong writers and therefore, helpful when the course aims to develop listening and speaking skills. Students can record their responses or their reflections on a PC or a mobile phone, listen to them, add or edit the recording and post it to the Blog. If a web cam is used, this becomes a vodcast and the potential for reflection and articulation only expands.
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