Telecommunications and the Foreign Language Teacher

Abstract

Although teachers can put a computer to many excellent uses, few are more exciting and rewarding than for telecommunication. It enables them to establish contact quickly with others of similar interests, either to exchange ideas or simply to request assistance with a particular problem. As a novice to this new means of professional communication, having purchased a a few months ago, I have learned how to get the most from my work and to gain some insight into what others are doing to promote foreign language learning in this country. On is the term referring to the time one's computer is actually connected to and communicating with another computer. In order to take advantage of telecommunication a teacher requires only a computer, a and a phone line. A is a device making it possible to transmit and receive, over the phone lines, information entered into the computer. Choosing a first purchase need not be complicated. If you have the alternative of an internal or external for your system the choice is not a clear one. I opted for an internal for my IBM PC because the built-in modems use no desk space and do not require an input/output port or cable; and since they plug directly into the computer, they require no independent power supply. The net result of this is that the installation costs for an internal are less than for an external one. A buyer should not be frightened by the idea of installation; it is simple, but, should you prefer, a computer technician can perform the service in minutes for a modest fee. Internal modems do, however, use a valuable expansion slot. These slots allow for the addition of peripherals that will enhance a system by doing such things as increasing memory or disk storage capacity. The newer multi-function boards, i.e., plug in modules that combine several enhancements while occupying only one slot, have made this less of a problem. One other disadvantage of the internal modems is that should they ever jam or lock up, they can only be reset by turning the computer off' and then again. The external modems are more expensive and may require costly installation; however, they can be reset instantly and can be used with a variety of computers. Modems come in several types and range in price from a little over one hundred dollars to several hundred, depending on the features provided. Given the expanding field, it is best to obtain a smart modem, one that can automate transmission; this will allow a user to dial as well as answer calls directly from the modem. The added cost of the smart modem is justified over a period of time. I also recommend one than can send and receive information at 300 and 1200 baud. The former transmits and accepts data at the rate of 30 characters per second while the latter does this at 120 characters per second. A better perspective states that 30 characters per second translates into approximately 300 words per minute; 120 characters per second is four times as fast, or about 1200 words per minute. A baud rate, then, is nothing more than a unit for measuring the operational speed of a modem. The new 2400 baud modems are fine, but most commercial and public information sources are just beginning to support them, so choosing one is a long term investment. Selecting a that supports at least two error free protocols is best; Hayes and Xmodem are the two most popular brands. While it may not be crucial to use an error free protocol for informal correspondence, its use is far more important when transmitting documents or articles. Noisy phone lines can occasionally distort transmission. The error free protocol, however, will detect any errors and resend the information. Let me emphasize that, if price is a big factor, you can certainly enjoy the benefits of going on line with an inexpensive although you will probably want to upgrade later. A buyer should specify a direct connect with full duplex as this avoids the use of a coupler to the telephone headset and is much more reliable. Full duplex refers to