This fall, even those who are limited by work or distance constraints can take an introductory course in German. Memorial’s Department of German and Russian joined forces with Distance Education and Learning Technologies to bring students an online version of German 1000 this fall. It is the first time a language course has been offered via online delivery.

The course is delivered by WebCT, a learning management system; Elluminate-Live, a real-time virtual classroom; and the audio-enhanced online workbook that accompanies the first-year German textbook, Wie geht's?

“Through this technology, students living in other parts of the province or anywhere in the world can now participate in German language courses offered at the St. John's campus,” said Marcella Rollmann, assistant professor, Department of German and Russian. “Through the online workbook they not only read but hear their textbook and get instant feedback on written exercises.”

“We were careful to ensure that the course requirements for the oral component of the course were met,” said Pam Phillips, senior instructional designer, DELT. “In order for the course to meet its objectives, students had to be able to demonstrate their oral skills. Elluminate-Live technology allowed us to do this.”

Elluminate-Live allows students in the distance language course to log on to the virtual classroom at the assigned times and speak to their instructor and fellow classmates in German. Professor Rollmann speaks to the class while sitting at her office computer and gives microphone access to students as she calls on them to answer.

"It didn't seem fair that students in Corner Brook or Labrador, for example, could not take German. But we couldn’t offer the course just through a course manual, as you might in other areas.  It is especially important in the first semester of a language course that students hear and speak the language. So we have waited until now to give this a try. The new technology makes it possible.”

Students from across the province, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia and as far away as Turkey have enrolled in the newly developed course.

This is the first of several courses the Department of German and Russian plans to develop, with the hopes of eventually leading to a minor in German by distance.