ReLANpro Operation / Design
The ReLANpro ANSWERS TO YOUR IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ON LAB OPERATION AND DESIGN
How would you describe the ReLANpro system?
The ReLANpro system was developed as an “electronic classroom” to be used between a teacher PC and interconnected student PCs with the capability of training students in a variety of cross-curricular disciplines, math, science, history, language etc.
What does the ReLANpro consist of?
The ReLANpro offers six main suite applications which interface in a single operational package to perform a variety of educational tasks. The tasks are as follows:
- Remote control of individual student PCs via the Computer Supervisory System. (CSS)
- A video distribution system is included with multiple simultaneous streams.
- An “all-digital” dual track language recorder which allows the student to perform listen/respond/record exercises including translation, commenting, answering questions, etc.
- Personal, one-on-one interaction; with any student including voice communication and Call Center ” features such as student-to-student Pairing and Telephone Dialing.
- Multiple–Choice authoring (teacher) and testing (student) with instant correct/incorrect feedback to the student or results sent directly to the instructor's email address.
- Text editing and paperless testing. A dual-window text editing system allows students to cut and paste from the teacher window containing the text example or questions to their own window so as to be able to answer test questions or write comments to video presentations.
Can I add the ReLANpro to an existing computer lab?
Yes, then all disciplines would have the benefit of this terrific tool.
Will I have to use a dedicated room?
This is not necessary but the ReLANpro does work well in a dedicated room as it is a teaching lab where the instructor can physically see the student’s they are interacting with. The lab can also be used campus wide across the LAN.
The system seems so inexpensive. What features have been sacrificed to achieve such a low system price?
The ReLANpro sacrifices little and yet delivers more. Some very advanced audio functionality is lost such as connecting more than 4 students in a Group Conference but much more flexibility and functionality is gained for teachers of all subjects through the implementation of video streaming, multiple choice testing, computer supervision, and the ability to work all over the school.
What makes the ReLANpro different from other, older generation labs?
The ReLANpro is truly cross-curricular in nature allowing many different subjects to be taught.
The ReLANpro can “double” as a computer-training system alowing teachers to view and correct a students work without leaving their seats. Students are always kept “on-task” as they are unaware of the teacher “clicking” on their icon on the systems GUI (Graphical User Interface) to review their work. Since each student wears a headset, teacher-to-student communications and student-to-student communications can be facilitated without class disturbances.
What makes the ReLANpro different from other, new-generation labs?
The ReLANpro allows more cross-curricular features and is less expensive to install making it easier for many to purchase.
I have presented a lab request to my administration and they have said “They are too expensive.” Why should I try again?
The ReLANpro costs less than half of the investment required for a first generation digital language lab and can be used as a cross-curricular teaching lab. The level of investment required will allow the administration to say “yes” to your request!
I have heard that such labs can be only used for language training and thus represent a poor investment.
First generation digital labs were “language specific” only. The ReLANpro software includes language lab recording capabilities, language translation and comment capabilities, video streaming, text editing, multiple choice testing, automated Internet site connection, distance learning, computer supervision (including remote control and instruction) and peer-to-peer oral communication. The lab represents the best combination of features for language learning students and all other subjects! (Please see Cross-Curricular Applications)
What are the most important features of the ReLANpro system?
The ReLANpro system is a PC based “electronic classroom” that allow teachers to easily instruct computer classes, and in fact teach any curriculum they desire with computer control and screen sharing technology, video, text, testing, and oral communication exercises. The detailed highlights are:
1. A classroom Computer Supervisory System where the teacher’s PC operates as a “remote control” system offering the following features:
Teachers can view any student screen they wish on the teacher’s GUI (via a “picture in Picture” window) or a second teacher screen which is connected to the teacher PC and take control of each student PC keyboard and mouse as and when required.
Teachers can send any selected screen to one, several or all other screens allowing a student or group of students to compare their own screens with the demonstration screen.
The student becomes the teacher if the teacher arranges for all the students to see/hear the PC and audio of a selected student.
Teachers can darken the students’ screens, block student PCs keyboard, and mouse functions and turn off all PCs from his/her workstation.
2. Software / distribution and collection:
The teacher decides which software to make accessible to the student. By simply selecting from the teacher’s screen which software package may be used, the teacher can instigate a class activity and simultaneously prevent other applications being opened. The teacher can close down the student’s software packages centrally.
The teacher can start software packages on the students PCs centrally. By clicking on the “open 3rd party software” key and the selected program is opened on the student PCs.
The teacher can easily distribute files. After opening a program, the teacher can copy a file to the students PCs.
Distributing CD-ROM content regardless of whether these are audio/video or text files.
3. A video distribution system.
The Video on Demand (VOD) system allows teachers to transfer video files directly to student PCs allowing them to watch video content at scaleable quality in full screen, medium window, or small window format.
Students can access video files directly from the school or classroom server.
Students can open the ReLANpro recorder and record comments or narration to any video.
Students can open their word processor and type their comments to any given video.
By using “upload” technology, 30 plus students can see the same video or different videos without network interruption.
4. Multiple choice testing
The examination software consists of an operating system offering the following possibilities:
The teacher can produce multiple choice questions very simply. The ReLANpro comes with a small but effective program that teachers can install at home. The program allows you to produce multiple choice questions very simply. Besides plain text, you can also integrate photographs and PC images (JPG or BMP files).
The teacher sends exams and tests to students centrally as read-only files so that the original is never damaged. They can not be erased by the student. Teachers can decide whether or not students can return to a question they have already answered.
Teachers can monitor students’ progress at all times during an exam. The teacher decides where the answers are saved and the students get to see their results immediately. The teacher can oblige students to type in their name and/or number after which the answers can be saved together on the server, a floppy disc, or sent directly to the electronic address (mailbox) of the teacher or the examinations board. The name or number typed in is automatically added as an extension.
A video or audio fragment that you play can be easily backed up with relevant multiple choice questions.
5. The educational word processing program
The text window consists of a word processing program with two windows. These can be used independently of one another for inputting and extracting TXT OR RTF files.The teacher can send out the texts centrally. Teachers can send any text they have written at home to the students’ computer hard drive or floppy disk.
The texts arrive in the student’s top-level word processing program and are offered as read-only documents. This means the original cannot be damaged. However students are able to scroll through the text, or use copy and paste functions to the lower “student” window. The lower window is a normal word processing program. Here for example, the student fills in answers. If the teacher wants to save these, they simply click on the save key and the files are then automatically saved together at the chosen location.
Paperless classes, “exercises and answers” can be individually distributed and collected without the use of paper.
“Call Center” audio communications (VoIP / LAN-based)
Pairing, Random Pairing, Group Conference and Telephone Dialing functions are possible.
6. ReLANpro lab functions with individual “all-digital” ReLANpro recorders.
Teachers select any audio or video file and send it quickly and easily to the students. Files arrive in the student recorder as master tracks, which are read-only files. This means your original can never be damaged.
The student track allows students to practice their own speaking and listening exercises, just as in the traditional ReLANpro lab, i.e. Audio Active Comparative (AAC). Students can work up to 40% faster by using the “Skip Silence” key to skip silences in the exercise.
The ReLANpro offers an Interpreter function which involves recording a translation while listening to a speech in a foreign language. Students can then play their translation to a fellow student who interprets it back into the original language. To evaluate their efforts, you can compare the original and the interpreted copy.
Students can download their own lesson material. They are not dependent on the teacher, but can do any exercise they please, working from the multimedia center (if you allow them to). This is also ideal for latecomers i.e., you no longer have to start again, and you can simply ask them to download the exercise.
Web-based downloading directly from teacher selected or teacher constructed websites. i.e.:
As the ReLANpro recorder works with MP3 files, students may download exercises directly from the Internet. Instead of the classic situation in which everyone does the same exercises, students can now work individually at their own pace or levels.
7. General
The ReLANpro system is available now from ASC Direct Inc. or through the official importer Renet USA which was created to market this new, exciting and affordable technology. We have long been cognizant of the lack of a truly cross- curricular yet affordable “all-digital” electronic classroom and are delighted to be able to offer this exciting new solution in the US (there are over 500 installations in Europe alone)
What are the most important points that come to mind with the ReLANpro system?
- Its lower cost
- Its cross-curricular features.
- The lab offers simplicity of operation and a suite of very effective tools for new educational challenges.
- It can be easily added to an existing computer lab.
- As the lab is software based the students can be anywhere on campus. There is no need for a dedicated “lab” room.
- The lab can be used to teach computer studies, distance learning, and Internet-based educational activities.
- A Video On Demand system is included at no extra cost (normally users pay dearly for this option)
- It’s completely software-driven and therefore inexpensive to install. (compared with older labs)
- As it’s completely software-driven it is easier to maintain and upgrade.
Our old lab was difficult to install and relied on hardware connections that went bad. What’s different with the ReLANpro?
The ReLANpro is a software-based system that can be installed “on” an existing computer lab with only the connection of headsets at the teacher desk and student PCs.
Lab problems are costly to diagnose and too labor intensive to repair. What’s different with the ReLANpro?
We offer online diagnostics so we can observe the system from our offices and inform you of any actions or adjustment s that are required. We also offer online teacher training for increased efficiency.
What would attract new buyers to the ReLANpro?
The lower investment required, ease of operation and the capabilities of the system.
Can I use the system for AP testing?
Yes. Digital files are now the preferred recordings for AP tests
Can the student take a copy of a recording home to listen to it?
Yes. A transcript of the lesson can be recorded and given to the student on a variety of media.
Why should a buyer choose the ReLANpro system over a competitor?
The cost is considerably lower than that of all the older hardware-based labs that are still being marketed; also the cost is considerably lower than that of many of the “software-based” labs that it competes with. Since ASC Direct is a direct to educational buyer our prices are lower yet we have single tier support (we don’t go through dealers when attending to training or technical issues).
The ReLANpro can be added to existing computer labs at a much reduced level of investment (since you may already have the furniture and computers). It has many cross-curricular applications when used in an existing computer lab making it an invaluable tool for educators.
We have 3 fulltime and 2 part time trainer/technicians to help with your needs. You will never get an answering machine during business hours as we have a fully staffed office.
We offer online support via email and European and US help desks. Online training is also provided. We offer super service and terrific training with the ReLANpro. We have a wealth of accumulated knowledge regarding language labs, their maintenance and the problems one may encounter when installing a new system. Why not utilize our expertise?
What will separate ASC Direct, Inc from current competitors?
The ability of being able to design a system that suits their needs and budget. The factors of the investment required for a truly modern language-media lab with such advanced system capabilities.
How strong are the headsets?
We offer two headsets for use with the ReLANpro.
Our “top of the line” headset is one of the strongest headsets in the world and as “student proof” as you can buy. The cost of this headset is $125, which may appear expensive, but you won’t be replacing it every year. Should the headset’s main lead be inadvertently cut or broken, a new one can be easily clipped into the headset shell. This headset is supplied with conventional eight-inch stereo plugs.
Our second headset offers a moveable microphone boom design that facilitates being stored adjacent to the student PC. This $60 headset has proven to be very reliable and reproduces the sound of the human voice perfectly.
Both headsets are AP test quality and guaranteed for one year except against malicious damage.
What is the guarantee on the ReLANpro?
1 year.
What training will be given on the ReLANpro?
The first day (6-8 hours) is free of charge. Supplemental onsite time is billed @ $75 per hour. A free Internet help desk is available with e-mail and telephone support.