Frequently Asked Questions About Computer Assisted Courses

Index
Click on a link below to jump to:
A.  General Questions
B.  Web-Based Activities
C.  Discussion Board Assignments
D.  E-mail Pen Pals
E.  Encuentros CD-ROM
F.  Troubleshooters Drills
G.  Other on-line helps found on this web site

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A.  General Questions

What is the difference between a "computer assisted" class and a traditional Spanish class?

• Traditional classes meet four times per week with their instructor, and one day per week in language lab, using audio and videotapes to practice skills.
• Computer assisted classes meet three times per week with their instructor, and one day per week in language lab, using audio and videotapes to practice skills, and additionally, meet one time per week in the computer lab, where skill practice consists of activities with a grammar software module, a CD Rom, e-mail, chat rooms, and Internet activities. Additional information about the components which make up the computer assisted classes is given below where each component is itemized and questions about them are answered.

Who is required to do the activities?

• Only students who are enrolled in a  computer assisted class (designated with "CAI") are required to do the activities. Other students who are using the Dímelo Tú textbook are also welcome to use them. Contact your instructor for the "User Name" and "Password" needed to enter the site.

Where do I find the web-based activities?

• The web-based activities are not a part of our web site but we do provide links to them. Depending on which course you are interested in, Elementary Spanish I or Elementary Spanish II, there is an index page showing the assignment and all the activities for the chapters covered in the course. You can find the index page by clicking on the link named "Web-Based Activities" on the web page for CAI students.
• Here is a good place to start:     Elementary Spanish I (1120CAI)     /   Elementary Spanish II (1121CAI)

How many activities am I supposed to do?

Although each chapter has three categories of activities:  one culture, one geography, and one chapter theme. Choose one of the three to complete for each chapter. You should complete two culture activities, two geography activities, two chapter theme activities, and one other activity of your choosing over the entire semester. This will give you a total of
seven (7) by semester's end.

Why do I get a weird message when I try to e-mail my answers?

• If you see a weird message on the screen after you press the "ENVIE" button, don't worry. The important message is in the blue bar near the top of the screen. If this bar tells you that your message is "on the way" then there should be no problem and your instructor should receive it.

What is a discussion board?

• Our discussion boards are based on what are called "message boards." A message board allows participants to create a "threaded discussion" which is visible to everyone who visits that Web page. The reason it is called a "board" is that posting a message to it is like posting an index card on a bulletin board. This is true in a couple of ways: 1) You have to write it first, then post it; 2) Everyone who walks by can read it. The interaction that develops is called "threaded" because you can reply ("follow up") to a specific message and have your reply posted underneath the original. Likewise, a reply to a reply will appear indented underneath it in a kind of outline format.

Who is required to post messages to the board?

• Only students who are enrolled in a  computer assisted class (designated with "CAI") are required to post messages.

I want to work ahead. Where can I find future topics for the discussion board?

• The topics for the semester are available at: SPN1120 Topic List  /  SPN1121 Topic List.  However, you are only expected to post your opinions about each topic on one chapter at a time.

Who is required to get an e-mail pen pal?

• Only students who are enrolled in a  computer assisted class (designated with "CAI") are required to find and exchange messages with a Spanish speaking pen pal. However, anyone is invited to use the links on the Pen Pals page to find a Spanish speaking pen pal.

Where do I find a pen pal?

• Links to certain web sites have been provided on the Pen Pal page (E-mail Pen Pals) for your convenience. Other sources are available on the web as well if you feel like exploring.

Does my pen pal have to live in a Spanish speaking country?

• The point is to find a native speaker of Spanish, but that does not necessarily mean that they have to be living in a country where Spanish is the official language. When in doubt, ask your instructor.

What if my pen pal never writes back to me?

• We suggest that you pick four or five individuals to contact just to be safe. You are not required to receive anything, only to send something. The assignment is to turn in letters that you have sent. But, if you do receive a message back, let your instructor know so others can share in the excitement.

Who is required to buy the CD-ROM?

• Only students who are enrolled in a  computer assisted class (designated with "CAI") are required to buy and use the CD-ROM. Other students may also purchase a personal copy if they wish.

My textbook came with a CD. Do I still need to buy an Encuentros CD-ROM?

• The Dímelo Tú textbook is currently packaged with an audio CD for students to listen to. If you are enrolled in a CAI section you are also required to by a CD-ROM titled "Encuentros en español." The difference is that an audio CD only contains sounds and can be played on any CD player, while a CD-ROM contains computer programs which can only be played on a computer (or on some video game systems).

Who is required to do the Troubleshooters drills?

• No one is required to do these drills, they are optional, but students who are enrolled in a  computer assisted class (designated with "CAI") are given bonus points for completing all the drills for a given chapter.

What types of on-line helps are available?

• There are several categories of items available:
• "On-line Tutor" is a chat room where Spanish instructors can be reached during specific hours to answers your questions.
• "Contact Instructors Page" offers e-mail addresses and links to instructors' personal web pages.
• "Extra Help and Practice" offers links to Grammar Explanations, Grammar Activities, Vocabulary Builders & Activities, Global Activities (Beyond Grammar), Vocabulary Help Pages, and Explanations on the Top Ten Grammar Pitfalls in Spanish
• "Resources on the Web" offers links to Art Links, The Hispanic World (links arranged by country), Cinema Links, Music Links, Spanish Language Media (newspapers, radio, television), Fun and Games Links (word games, tongue twisters, comics), Langenscheidt's Spanish-English Dictionary, On-Line Verb Conjugator, "164 Currency Converter," "Universal Currency Converter," Spanish Language Search Engines, and Additional Resources via Faculty Pages

Email your questions to:  Basic Spanish Program Webmaster

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