DigiStudio Digital Language Lab System
DigiStudio
is a full-featured digital language laboratory system that enlivens both teaching
and learning. Powerful DigiStudio software brings many effective functions
to any LAN-connected classroom; WinSchool hardware may be added at any time
to make your DigiStudio system even more powerful.
Main Features
Language Lab Functions
DigiStudio provides broadcasting, listening, speaking, and recording functions for teacher and students, along with powerful classroom management functions: rollcall, attendance, and test scoring.
Advanced instructional functions
Advanced 8-channel, LAN-based broadcast includes six simultaneous channels of digital A-V (such as a streaming audio, movies, WAV, MP3, MPG, DAT files, etc.), plus two analog audio channels. The teacher controls student reception, or allows students to select from multiple instructional streams.
Multiple types of instructional data
DigiStudio allows use of standard multimedia formats such as WAV, MP3, MPG, and WMA; and audio-text files that let students hear audio and optionally see concurrent text and graphics, for increased learning efficiency. Adding a cassette unit to the teacher's PC makes it easy to use cassette tapes, too.
Multiple Modes
In
Study Hall Mode, students may peruse streaming multimedia or access any instructional
files from the network where permission is granted. Instruction Mode is similar,
except that students may work only on what the teacher assigns. In Group Talk
Mode, students practice target patterns in small groups. In Handout Mode,
when the teacher opens a document (e.g.: Word, PDF, Excel, PowerPoint, or
whatever), student stations all open the same document at the same page. The
four Quiz and Exam modes cover a multitude of testing possibilities: listening
comprehension, speaking, reading comprehension, essay segments, etc. DigiStudio
records all student responses during testing, and provides instant scoring
for multiple choice segments. For oral tests, teachers score students' recorded
answers in a convenient grid. DigiStudio provides tools for authoring and
editing a variety of test files. If desired, you can simulate official language
examinations such as TOEFL, TOEIC, GMAT, IELTS, and GEPT for maximally effective
practice and evaluation.
File Transfer and Remote Application Execution
Convenient file transfer and remote activation means the teacher can manage student stations easily, right from the teacher station.
Browser Control
The teacher can assign a certain URL, then open all student browsers to that assigned web site. Similarly, the teacher can close all student browsers at the click of a button.
Teacher Functions
Study Hall and Instruction Modes:
The
teacher can use microphone, CDs, cassette tapes, or computer video and audio
files to broadcast to the whole class, groups, or individuals. The teacher
allows students to choose from streaming instructional and online materials
(Study Hall Mode), or controls student reception (Instruction Mode) to focus
students on the task at hand. The teacher can employ all Windows multimedia
formats, such as WAV, MP3, MPG, and WMA; and special audio-text-graphic (MQ4)
files that let students hear audio and see concurrent text and/or graphics
with increased student control.
Adding a cassette unit to the teacher's PC makes it easy to use cassette tapes, too.
Group Talk Mode*
(Requires
WinSchool hardware.)
This feature divides students into small groups of specified numbers for language practice. Makes a great opportunity for students to explore the ramifications of a topic, practice target patterns, or to work together on group projects. Encourages students who are used to letting their teachers do all the talking to speak up and express themselves.
To make sure that discussions stay on track, the teacher may join any group, or monitor any group.
Exemplary groups may be broadcast to all other students. This serves both as a reward to the high achievers, and edification to the listeners.
Listening Quiz and Listening Exam
The personal computer is an ideal tool not only for language training, but also for assessment of foreign language skills. Official tests scores such as TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, GEPT, TFI, TestDaF, JLPT, etc. are often critical to the educational and career paths in many language-dependent professions.
Listening Quiz and Listening Exam Modes enable the teacher to send audio and graphic test materials to student stations and record student responses.
In Listening Quiz, the teacher may use any available audio source file, or simply speak through the mic.
Listening Exam requires a more formal prepared test file, which if desired can mimic official tests right down to the answer sheet. It is very convenient to administer. Scoring for both modes is automatic and instant.
Oral Test
Test student oral abilities and record all student responses.
Scoring is easy. A simple grid presents all student responses. At your convenience, listen to and score all answers, either student by student, or question by question, your choice.
Read/Write Test
Send a text file to students; students read the file and answer. The file sent to students may consist of a word, a sentence, or one or more paragraphs.
Students answer by typing on their keyboards. DigiStudio collects all essays, and saves them to file.
Read/Write Test is perfect for reading, writing, fill-in-the-blank, and some kinds of multiple choice tests and quizzes.
It helps prepare students for a world in which clear, effective written communication is paramount.
Other Benefits and Functions
- RollCall Control
The teacher can request students to log in using names, and/or ID numbers. DigiStudio can save attendance records, which may also be printed out. - File Transfer and Remote Execution
Convenient file transfer and remote activation of applications means the teacher can easily manage student stations from his or her teaching console. - Class Management
All class-related information, including class time, days, grade level, section number, etc. are retained by DigiStudio. This information forms the header for any class reports generated, such as attendance or test score reports. - Wake on LAN/Reboot/Shutdown
For extra convenient classroom workstation management, student stations may be configured to wake-on-LAN. The teacher can also remotely reboot or shut down one, selected, or all student stations.