Peer Review

Cantar de mio Cid

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Reviewed:: May 8, 2009 by World Languages

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Ratings

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Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

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Overview:: A clear yet impassioned reading makes the Spanish epic poem, "Cantar de mío Cid", come alive for students in the oral tradition in which it was originally created and disseminated. The poem becomes furthered contextualized with the inclusion of manuscript pages, illustrations and interpretative texts. The ability to download the poem as a podcast allows students to listen to the poem whenever and wherever they like.
Type of Material:: Collection
Recommended Uses:: "Cantar de mío Cid" can easily be used in the classroom to supplement traditional, textual interpretations of the poem. However, it is ideal for use as part of an online course or for supplementary use by students outside of the classroom.
Technical Requirements:: QuickTime v6.5 or higher, mp3 audio, Flash or Shockwave plug-in v4 or higher
Identify Major Learning Goals:: The website allows students to listen to the poem with or without accompanying text, which is available in the original manuscript form with a paleographic or normative transcription or as an English translation. By clicking on the "callout" icon or accessing the "Commentary" section of the main page, an explanation of the text and of its linguistic variations appear in a separate window, followed by an English translation of the verses. The site enables students' oral comprehension skills of Old Spanish as well as their understanding of the poem to be greatly strengthened.
Target Student Population:: The website is designed for English-speaking students of Spanish literature and/or linguistics. The variety of interpretative tools makes the poem accessible to both visual and auditory learners.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: A basic understanding of Spanish linguistics will strengthen students' comprehension of the Old Spanish text.

Content Quality

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Strengths:: 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 poem is available in five different "views", with or without text and graphics. The oral rendering of the poem is easy to follow.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

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Strengths:: Relying on the latest in technological advancements, "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.
Concerns:: One concern is that to fully appreciate this site, it must be used with an appropriate level of language learners. Native speakersunderstand the frustration of not being able to understand classical literary works. The challenges are multiple, but if students have adequate prior information on the content of the literary work, they will enjoy and appreciate it.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

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Strengths:: The website is very well designed. The illustrations serve to guide visitors. For example, clicking the Cids image will take you to the main page. It is very easy to access the different translations and the user can choose between interactive, subtitled, manuscript, and full views of the text. The poem's site provides a brief, animated introduction accompanied by audio that serves to draw in the user and provide a glimpse of the plethora of information that awaits him. A sword "clink" sounds and the "El Cid" graphic moves as each section is clicked from the homepage, further contextualizing the poem as it entertains the user. From each page, the user can easily navigate the site by accessing the drop-down menu or the index at the bottom of the page. The user may return to the home page at any time by clicking on the "Cantar" logo on the left-hand side of each page. The "info" page also provides detailed information regarding technical requirements for each area of the site.

Other Issues and Comments:: The authors appear to have thought of everything: from the podcast capability, illustrations, various transcriptions and English translation. Students of Medieval Spanish literature or linguistics are extremely fortunate to have this site available to them. By way of this site, "Cantar de mío Cid" has been re-born for the twenty-first century language learner or literature student.
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