Peer Review

Rich Internet Applications

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Overview:: Rich Internet Applications is a collection of free digital tools for language educators. Tools include an audio dropbox, interactive exercise makers, mashup utilities, and conversation recording tools. The video posting tool, ViewPoint, serves as a repository for language instruction related video clips.All is provided completely free of charge with the materials that users create residing on the server at Michigan State University. The site is part of the CLEAR resource site for language educators.
Type of Material:: Teacher Resources
Recommended Uses:: LCTL teachers can produce materials for their students to increase the interactivity on their websites or in course management systems.
Technical Requirements:: microphone, video recorder,media player
Identify Major Learning Goals:: Listening, speaking, reading and writing can all be addressed with this tool.
Target Student Population:: Students of world languages, all levels
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: n/a

Rating:
Strengths:: The digital tools provided are designed specifically for use by language educators; as such educators can produce tailor-made exercises and activities to align with classroom curricula. Additionally, tools can be used to design and mount online language learning activities for independent assignment and/or to be incorporated in online language courses.The tools are extremely useful for the creation of materials that are correct, complete and engaging. They are constantly updated and improved after teachers use them at CLEAR workshops at MSU.
Concerns:: None

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Strengths:: Rich Internet Applications are beautifully designed, easy to use and precisely what language educators can make good use of in their teaching. Audio-based assignments can be turned in online as well as completed multimedia exercises. Student and teacher made video clips can be mounted for easy access on the site for class use and for use by others around the globe. Mashup utilities provide creative tools for student and instructor products.Students can also use these tools, posting audio files in the audio dropbox, listening to podcasts and making their own videos on campus. Online students can get more practice with speaking and listening using these tools.
Concerns:: None

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Strengths:: The site is clean, elegant, and very easy to navigate. Access requires registration and login which is well worth the powerful productivity tools one can then access.Documentation is available for each application in .pdf form. There are also video tutorials for each application. This is a resource that continues to evolve and improve in functionality.
Concerns:: None

Other Issues and Comments:: It is important to remnd readers that these tools are available to them completely free of charge as they are funded by a Title VI grant. Unlike web 2.0 tools that eventually go commercial, RIA is not likely to do so.
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