Ellips: flexible authoring for Webbased language learning

1
Ellips flexible authoring for Web-based language
learning

• Sake Jager
• University of Utrecht/University of Groningen
• Eurocall 2003
• 5 September 2003

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Digitalenklas project

• Two-year project, financed by SURF and
  contributing universities (Utrecht, Leiden,
  Tilburg, Groningen)
• Software development commercial partner Edufocus
  
• Focus
• General-purpose VLEs for Language Learning
• Language-specific application Ellips
• Languages involved Dutch, English, Spanish,
  Arabic

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Point of departure

• Language learning in need of change, cannot be
  solved by technology alone
• Introduction of Common European Framework
• Necessity for co-operation between universities
  to reduce cost and to foster innovation
• Tradition of CALL to be taken into account at
  introduction of VLEs
• Overall need to assess ICT technologies in the
  face of current ideas about teaching and learning
  languages

4
Use of technology

• Activities that can be done at the computer
  (self-directed, single, pairs, groups) are
  programmed as such.
• VLEs
• Potential for task-based, learner-oriented,
  authentic learning
• Used for open-ended activities, communication,
  discussion
• Templates for testing
• Not optimally equipped for non-European languages
• Ellips
• Closed-type exercises
• Templates for practice rather than testing
• Adaptivity and feedback
• Specific features for speaking and listening
• Unicode support for languages
• Import of existing materials (Hologram)

5
Demo Ellips

• Student interface teacher interface
• Main aspects
• Re-use of materials by using one server
  application for development
• Coding scheme based on CEF to support re-use of
  materials (IMS-compliant)
• Coding scheme for semi-adaptive exercise
  selection
• Streaming audio and video
• Multilingual (including IPA)
• Webrecorder to store student input on the web for
  later review

6
Digitalenklas Consortium

• For maintaining and expanding project results
• Infrastructure supported and updated
• Program modifications
• New content development
• Distribution of existing content
• Charge of annual fee

7
Further information

• Digitalenklas http//www.let.uu.nl/digitalenklas
  (Dutch)
• Streaming audio and video services
  http//video.surfnet.nl
• Contact S.Jager_at_let.rug.nl