Tablets could be awesome for language learning
What I really want when it comes to new tech is a cheap, ultraportable, lean text writing and editing device. Which means a keyboard, probably. So I haven’t been all that interested in the rush of tablets. But last night I was thinking about how I struggle to keep fresh the foreign languages I know, and it occurred to me that one of the killer uses for a tablet would be language learning and maintanence.
Language learning takes place best in an immersive environment that can be entered consistently and provides a variety of ways to gain spoken, written and reading comprehension competencies. A tablet would be a great way to present video, audio, photos, words, quizzes, etc. Yes, that’s all content that is currently available through websties and software on desktops and laptops and smartphones. But I do think that a tablet form, that allows one to interact in a comfortable, casual setting and requires touch feedback (rather than the mouse or track pad) and has a bright, well-designed screen and an app-driven interface presents enough improvements and enticements and sensory experiences to really make language learning much better.
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Wm’s Twitter stream- morriswm: @dub_jeff I don't think that's a mere suggestion, Jeff. Steve used JJ and LG in the keynote. That means you too are required to follow. September 2, 2010
- morriswm: If iPod Touch includes a video camera, then it becomes a great portable, content creation tool w/out data plan & perfect for higher ed use. September 1, 2010
- morriswm: Fantasy Football draft verdict: I did the opposite of all the things I was planning on doing. The result isn't pretty. August 30, 2010
- morriswm: RT @dunwoodycollege: Yes, it's Camille Paglia, but you gotta love the notion of "revalorizing the trades": http://ow.ly/2wJjj August 30, 2010
- morriswm: @andygifford This is why I advocate for aggressive ice cream management. Also: milk shakes. August 29, 2010
- morriswm: @yelvington There you go. Although if you are going to mess around with that -- might as well do the whole hobo meal in foil. August 29, 2010
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If I could flip a tablet landscape, plug it into a keyboard, and type in a Writeroom- like environment, and use a stylus to “hand-edit” and then, sync that to my desktop.
The rest of it could then be like my iPod touch but a little bigger.
I’d be all up into that.
Totally. I’ve looked to see if there is software that works well with common copyeditor’s marks, but so far have turned up nothing that offers quite the advantages of old-fashioned pen and paper.