Comments on: Lexxica - the Word Engine http://e-poche.net/2007/11/27/lexxica-the-word-engine/ Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:22:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Aaron http://e-poche.net/2007/11/27/lexxica-the-word-engine/#comment-86850 Aaron Mon, 07 Jan 2008 06:19:37 +0000 http://e-poche.net/2007/11/27/lexxica-the-word-engine/#comment-86850 Hi Mun....thanks for me know about the crashes. I also heard from another trusted source recently about Lexxica being "buggy." Hopefully they can get whatever problems they have worked out so it can be of greater use to learners, especially in institutional settings. Hi Mun….thanks for me know about the crashes. I also heard from another trusted source recently about Lexxica being “buggy.” Hopefully they can get whatever problems they have worked out so it can be of greater use to learners, especially in institutional settings.

]]> By: Mun http://e-poche.net/2007/11/27/lexxica-the-word-engine/#comment-86849 Mun Mon, 07 Jan 2008 05:10:47 +0000 http://e-poche.net/2007/11/27/lexxica-the-word-engine/#comment-86849 I also saw the presentation at JALT. I tried it upon returning to Korea for a student of mine, but the site isn't working well at all. It crashed almost every session, and even though we set it up for English-English, we only get Japanese translations. We've tried it out on two different computers now and it still crashes constantly. Flaschcard exchange is a site I've used before. I don't see Lexxica giving much more than that and at least the other site works. I also saw the presentation at JALT. I tried it upon returning to Korea for a student of mine, but the site isn’t working well at all. It crashed almost every session, and even though we set it up for English-English, we only get Japanese translations. We’ve tried it out on two different computers now and it still crashes constantly.

Flaschcard exchange is a site I’ve used before. I don’t see Lexxica giving much more than that and at least the other site works.

]]> By: Marco Polo http://e-poche.net/2007/11/27/lexxica-the-word-engine/#comment-83690 Marco Polo Sat, 15 Dec 2007 10:42:17 +0000 http://e-poche.net/2007/11/27/lexxica-the-word-engine/#comment-83690 Lexicca is featured on the front page of Cambridge Univesity's Press' latest news release, which came in the mail today (Saturday, Dec. 15th). THey seem to have added some features, so I'll re-visit, and also have my students do the same. For a month after they took the test, I had them spend 15 minutes on vocab practice and let them select an online vocab site from my shortlist. Lexicca was one. Lexicca is featured on the front page of Cambridge Univesity’s Press’ latest news release, which came in the mail today (Saturday, Dec. 15th). THey seem to have added some features, so I’ll re-visit, and also have my students do the same. For a month after they took the test, I had them spend 15 minutes on vocab practice and let them select an online vocab site from my shortlist. Lexicca was one.

]]> By: Aaron http://e-poche.net/2007/11/27/lexxica-the-word-engine/#comment-82073 Aaron Sat, 01 Dec 2007 12:43:32 +0000 http://e-poche.net/2007/11/27/lexxica-the-word-engine/#comment-82073 I'm with you on that one Marco! I’m with you on that one Marco!

]]> By: Marco Polo http://e-poche.net/2007/11/27/lexxica-the-word-engine/#comment-82065 Marco Polo Sat, 01 Dec 2007 11:12:24 +0000 http://e-poche.net/2007/11/27/lexxica-the-word-engine/#comment-82065 <i>students will be carrying incredibly powerful “computers” in their pockets in just a few short years. The amazing iPhone is just a precursor to what is to come</i> Good point: bypass textbooks. But then why not make full use of the incredibly powerful computers both in their pockets and in their skulls, and bypass school and classes altogether... students will be carrying incredibly powerful “computers” in their pockets in just a few short years. The amazing iPhone is just a precursor to what is to come
Good point: bypass textbooks. But then why not make full use of the incredibly powerful computers both in their pockets and in their skulls, and bypass school and classes altogether…

]]> By: Aaron http://e-poche.net/2007/11/27/lexxica-the-word-engine/#comment-81787 Aaron Fri, 30 Nov 2007 12:07:46 +0000 http://e-poche.net/2007/11/27/lexxica-the-word-engine/#comment-81787 Hmmm....yes, Marco, I totally see your point. That makes sense. But, I also see another important issue developing here: students will be carrying incredibly powerful "computers" in their pockets in just a few short years. The amazing iPhone is just a precursor to what is to come. As it is now at many institutions here, students are required to spend several thousand yen a semester on textbooks, and it is part of our institutional culture to demand of our students that they personally pay for what we, as teachers, designate as required course materials. So as institutional language learning evolves, why wouldn't it be perfectly acceptable to ask students to incur small monthly fees on their cell phones as part of their required work? And if that "textbook" is intelligent and interactive and customized to meet the needs of that individual learner, and tracks that learners activities for the purposes of assessment, then it makes sense to ask students to fork out 500 yen a week on connection fees. It's part of their "education." I think that a program like Lexxica would only be a supplement, rather than a central element of the course. It's too narrow in its scope to be comprehensive. Hmmm….yes, Marco, I totally see your point. That makes sense. But, I also see another important issue developing here: students will be carrying incredibly powerful “computers” in their pockets in just a few short years. The amazing iPhone is just a precursor to what is to come.

As it is now at many institutions here, students are required to spend several thousand yen a semester on textbooks, and it is part of our institutional culture to demand of our students that they personally pay for what we, as teachers, designate as required course materials.

So as institutional language learning evolves, why wouldn’t it be perfectly acceptable to ask students to incur small monthly fees on their cell phones as part of their required work? And if that “textbook” is intelligent and interactive and customized to meet the needs of that individual learner, and tracks that learners activities for the purposes of assessment, then it makes sense to ask students to fork out 500 yen a week on connection fees. It’s part of their “education.”

I think that a program like Lexxica would only be a supplement, rather than a central element of the course. It’s too narrow in its scope to be comprehensive.

]]> By: Marco Polo http://e-poche.net/2007/11/27/lexxica-the-word-engine/#comment-81569 Marco Polo Thu, 29 Nov 2007 07:21:46 +0000 http://e-poche.net/2007/11/27/lexxica-the-word-engine/#comment-81569 Students are unlikely to make frequent use of this via cell-phone, and will only do so if the teacher requires it (and there may be complaints afterwards). If you're teaching in an institution, bung them all into a computer room for one class and have them do it "properly"!! If you are teaching privately, you have other options. Students are unlikely to make frequent use of this via cell-phone, and will only do so if the teacher requires it (and there may be complaints afterwards). If you’re teaching in an institution, bung them all into a computer room for one class and have them do it “properly”!! If you are teaching privately, you have other options.

]]> By: Aaron http://e-poche.net/2007/11/27/lexxica-the-word-engine/#comment-81384 Aaron Wed, 28 Nov 2007 11:33:41 +0000 http://e-poche.net/2007/11/27/lexxica-the-word-engine/#comment-81384 Thanks for that, Marco. Well, you're the first person I've heard from that's used Lexxica with his students. I vaguely remember you (or someone else) mentioning the software before, but it never really registered with me until last weekend that it was a free online service. I'm seriously considering using it as a supplement to my classes next year, but am concerned about the costs students will incur by connecting to the service via their cell phones. I wonder to what extent is is possible to "require" a certain amount of cell phone usage in class, given that it is a piece of technology all the students carry around. I suppose the solution is to give students the option of whether to use a computer or cell phone and let them decide. Thanks for that, Marco. Well, you’re the first person I’ve heard from that’s used Lexxica with his students. I vaguely remember you (or someone else) mentioning the software before, but it never really registered with me until last weekend that it was a free online service.

I’m seriously considering using it as a supplement to my classes next year, but am concerned about the costs students will incur by connecting to the service via their cell phones. I wonder to what extent is is possible to “require” a certain amount of cell phone usage in class, given that it is a piece of technology all the students carry around. I suppose the solution is to give students the option of whether to use a computer or cell phone and let them decide.

]]> By: Marco Polo http://e-poche.net/2007/11/27/lexxica-the-word-engine/#comment-81382 Marco Polo Wed, 28 Nov 2007 11:17:13 +0000 http://e-poche.net/2007/11/27/lexxica-the-word-engine/#comment-81382 Students seem to appreciate the quick feedback, tho I've no idea how many really read or take in the verbal comments. Some students also seem to enjoy using the flashcards and other learning aids Lexxica provide. It gives me a snapshot of students' vocab level. I don't know whether it is more or less or equally effective when compared to others such as Paul Nation's online test at lextutor: http://www.lextutor.ca/ I like it because it's online and it's bilingual (i.e. I can read the English version, students can read the Japanese version) and I only need point students to the website and let them get on with it. WIth Lextutor I have to stand next to them and walk them thru it (and they usuall forget to make a note of their results). Students seem to appreciate the quick feedback, tho I’ve no idea how many really read or take in the verbal comments. Some students also seem to enjoy using the flashcards and other learning aids Lexxica provide. It gives me a snapshot of students’ vocab level. I don’t know whether it is more or less or equally effective when compared to others such as Paul Nation’s online test at lextutor: http://www.lextutor.ca/
I like it because it’s online and it’s bilingual (i.e. I can read the English version, students can read the Japanese version) and I only need point students to the website and let them get on with it. WIth Lextutor I have to stand next to them and walk them thru it (and they usuall forget to make a note of their results).

]]> By: Aaron http://e-poche.net/2007/11/27/lexxica-the-word-engine/#comment-81378 Aaron Wed, 28 Nov 2007 10:34:57 +0000 http://e-poche.net/2007/11/27/lexxica-the-word-engine/#comment-81378 And? What do you think? And? What do you think?

]]> By: Marco Polo http://e-poche.net/2007/11/27/lexxica-the-word-engine/#comment-81369 Marco Polo Wed, 28 Nov 2007 09:38:24 +0000 http://e-poche.net/2007/11/27/lexxica-the-word-engine/#comment-81369 Lexxica was demonstrated by its two authors at Jalt's CALL Conference in Hokkaido, 2006. I've been using it ever since. Lexxica was demonstrated by its two authors at Jalt’s CALL Conference in Hokkaido, 2006. I’ve been using it ever since.

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