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Technology/Facilities

Classrooms

The Division of World Languages, together with the Department of History and Social Science, is located in the heart of the campus in Samuel Phillips Hall. Modern languages are taught in Sam Phil, and classical languages next door in Pearson. These buildings are old—even iconic—but all of the classrooms are equipped with wired and wireless internet connectivity and have projection capacity for any sort of AV usage.

Language Learning Center (LLC)

Located in the lower level of Samuel Phillips Hall, the LLC serves students and faculty of the Division of World Languages. The Center represents the leading edge of multimedia education, delivering interactive language education via 40 Dell Desktops running Sony Soloist and Virtuoso software. Students use film, sound, and the Internet, as well as special multimedia presentations and interactive grammar exercises. Many of these activities are created by PA teachers and tailored to the specific needs of their students. Much of the material in the LLC can also be accessed remotely—in dorms, at home, or while traveling.

Instruction in Technology at the LLC

  • The staff of the LLC works with teachers individually and in groups
  • We show how technology can be useful in teaching foreign language
  • We also consult with teachers about how technology may or may not be useful in a particular lesson.
  • We send out a weekly newsletter with hints and tips on technology. 
  • We provide occasional department-wide seminars
  • We offer intensive, on-site, custom designed technology workshops for foreign language departments at other schools. Past seminars have been hosted at at Andover, Holderness School, the Taft School, Cambridge School of Weston, and the Aga Khan School in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  • We also support students using technology for foreign-language projects. In the past we have provided instruction in PowerPoint and hardware, software, and instruction for digital filmmaking.

The Virtual Lab

  • At teacher request, we can make most of the materials available in the LLC also available to students on their own computers via the Internet. We provide streaming video and audio as well as text files and interactive exercises. Go to the index at of departmental media pages.
  • Class websites on PAnet already offer teachers the possibility of posting assignments and resources (along with downloadable attachments, including audio), hosting asynchronous discussions, sending all- e-mail with a single click.
  • As wireless technology advances and the price of laptops descends, students may access materials directly from their rooms. in effect making each its own lab. Added benefits include no disruptive passing time and the support of teaching materials the instructor already has at hand.

Miscellaneous Services

  • Digitizing of analog video and audio materials. (Naturally, we make sure we have appropriate permissions and copyright clearance.)
  • SAT II listening comprehension testing
  • Creation of CD's for weekend assignments so day students can do them at home.
  • Computer installation and repair, whether in offices or instructors' homes.