References Page

Reference Page

Adams, T. (2010, September 14). Introducing Version 4 [Web log message]. Retrieved from

 http://blog.rosettastone.com/2010/09/14/introducing-version-4-totale

This reference was very informative and reliable because it is an article by the current C.E.O. of Rosetta Stone, Tom Adams.  It introduces the newest version of Rosetta Stone, TOTALe, and lists and explains the new features.  These new features enhance the language learning experience, and make it even more user friendly.  Date visited: October 3, 2011.

Al Mekhlafi, A.G. (2006). The effect of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) on

United Arab Emirates English as a foreign Language (EFL) school students’ achievement

 and attitude.  Journal of Interactive Learning Research, 17(2), 121-142.

This research journal addresses the effect of computer-assisted language learning in a specific area.  Their research shows that Language learning technology could help overcome the obstacle of learning a foreign language. Date visited: October 4, 2011

Diller, K.C. (1981) Neurolinguistic clues to the essentials of a good language teaching

methodology; comprehension, problem solving and meaningful practice. In H. Winitz

(Ed.), The comprehension approach to foreign language teaching (pp. 141-153). Rowley,

MA: Newbury House Publishers.

            This reference took a neurolinguistic view on the important components of teaching a foreign language, and also looking at the results of the learner’s comprehension and performance to demonstrate the most effective way to learn another language. Date visited: October 4, 2011

Juliet Norton.  (2010). Interview with Tom Adams, Chief Executive Officer, Rosetta Stone Inc. Strategic Direction, 26(10), 35-37.  Retrieved October 2, 2011, from ABI/INFORM Global. (Document ID: 2248700571).

               This interview is with the current C.E.O, Tom Adams, talks about the future plan for Rosetta Stone Inc. It talks about the various levels and how they affect learning development and demonstrates that these features mimic the natural way humans learn language.  These two aspects improve the learner’s ability to retain the knowledge. Date visited: October 4, 2011 

Krohn, G., & Dixon, D. (n.d.). Learning a new language changed their lifes; RosettaStone ltd.

                 Announces “Rosetta stories” contest winners. Retrieved from       http://www.rosettastone.com/usassets/documentation/NRRosettaStoneContestWinnerAnnounceFinal.pdf

                  This article gives real life testimonies of Rosetta Stone user’s experiences with this software and how it affected their lives and ability to learn a new language.  This was a very useful resource because it gave reviews of actual users, not just people from the company which gives a more accurate account of what feature actually works. Date visited: October 3, 2011

Kunz, R. (2011, August 30). Why not to buy Rosetta Stone [Web log message]. Retrieved from

             http://reviews.ebay.com/Why-Not-to-buy-RosettaStonew0qqugidz1000000004678322

              This article gave an account of one user who did not like Rosetta Stone, and why he did not like the software.  It goes into detail about why the future buyer should not buy the software.  Rosetta Stone is too expensive, vague and overall ineffective. Date visited: October 3, 2011

Our history [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.rosettastone.com/global/history

                 This reference is directly from Rosetta Stone and it gives a detailed account of the history of the technology and the company.  It talks about the inspiration for this software, who was involved, how they were able to program it, and where the company is today.  Overall, it gives the reader a general knowledge and understanding of the history of Rosetta Stone. Date Visited: October 3, 2011

Rockman, E. (2009, July). Rosetta Stone evaluation report. Retrieved from

               http://resources.rosettastone.com/cdn/us/pdfs/rockman-evaluation-report.pdf

               This scientific study compares the guarantees of the Rosetta Stone software with the actual results of test subjects.  It takes a specific look at the Spanish language version and tracks the learner’s progression.  The results show that Rosetta Stone is a effective and efficient form of language learning. Date visited: October 2, 2011

 Rosetta stone and general research (n.d.) Retrieved from

               http://www.rosettastone.com/usassets/documentations/nclb-rosetta-stone-correlation.pdf 

               This resource gave general information and statistics about the Rosetta Stone software; it mentioned pertinent information about the history of the company, as well as the various aspects and features between the levels of the program.  Overall, this reference gives very broad but important information. Date visited: October 4, 2011

Steinberg, G. (2008). Introduction to computer information systems. Dubuque, Iowa:

               Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company.

               This textbook explains the fundamental aspects of information technology; it goes into great detail to explain how software, Internet, and other computer programs work.  This reference is a resource to help understand how a software works step by step, and how it affects other technology. Date visited: October 3, 2011

Stone, R. (Producer). (2009) To Wall Street and beyond. [Web Video]. Retrieved from

              http://www.rosettastone.com/global/about

             This video informs the viewer of the newest accomplishments of Rosetta Stone; it shows how far they have come as a company.  Now, they are the only Language Learning System Company on Wall Street. This video also addresses the primary focus of Rosetta Stone and the way they think it is most efficient to learn a language. Date visited: October 2, 2011           

Tien-Lok, J.L. (2003). SLLS: An online conversational spoken language learning system Master  

               Thesis of Engineering in Computer Science. Massachusetts Institute of Technology,  

                MA

                In this online conversation, Tien-Lok, discusses the initial problems with language learning systems such as learning correct pronunciation with technology.  He explains how it is difficult to replicate a natural context and environment that will teach correct pronunciation.  It emphasizes that is it extremely important to learn the correct pronunciation as a beginner learning the language rather than later.  Date Visited: October 3, 2011

IT Course: Advantages and Disadvantages of Rosetta Stone

Potential Benefits:

Rosetta Stone has numerous methods and features to ensure the best possible learning experience.  For example, Dynamic Immersion is the core feature of learning of a new language; this software is designed to teach the language the same way first language is learned.  It uses a combination of images, texts, and sounds with difficulty levels that increase with the student’s progress.  This method provides the learner with an interactive virtual environment that will help teach vocabulary terms and grammatical rules in context without translation.  Dynamic immersion mimics introduces the new components of the language through recognition, correlation, and deduction, instead of just simple translation.  The Rosetta Stone system also has an Adaptive Recall feature that brings back review exercises to help the learner transfer this knowledge into long-term memory (Rockman 2009).  Contextual Formation uses life-like scenarios and patterns to provide the environment for the learner to reproduce the spoken or written language. Each new feature provides a unique way to learning the fundamental components of the language through technology.

Speech-Recognition technology uses state of the art signal processing and adaptive statistical methods to recognize spoken words and compare them against the voices of native speakers.  In Rosetta Stone, this software offers a wide range of tools to help teach pronunciation and speaking skills.  Learners build confidence and refine their pronunciation with dialogues and vocabulary building exercises.  For example, in the Native Socialization feature, they speak with native speakers in an online interactive session. These online environments are designed to facilitate language and social interactions. Online communities ensure that the learners generate language in conversional context through games, activities, and chatting rather than just hearing and repeating words or reading from a textbook.

Problems and Security Concerns:

In general, software is a program that enables a computer to perform specific tasks; Rosetta Stone is software with a very specific function to teach a foreign language.  With every software comes technical problems and security concerns, overall, Rosetta Stone is a very secure and efficient product with very little errors. One of the difficulties of learning a new language is the inability to evaluate one’s own pronunciation as beginners, something that cannot be adequately satisfied by simplistic systems that do not have practical interactions with the user (Tien-Lok, 2003).  One common complaint with Rosetta Stone is the vocabulary learning system is too slow; it does not teach enough words or grammatical structure in a clear manner to ensure fluency of the foreign language.  Also, another complaint is that Rosetta Stone does not teach common phrases that are useful in real life situations.  Rosetta Stone tries to fit every language into a cookie cutter formula (Kunz 2010); It does not address the special issues of that particular language like verb conjugations or noun and adjective cases.  Technologically, Rosetta Stone does not seem to have any major errors or concerns. 

Course: Information Technology- Rosetta Stone Research

Introduction:

Rosetta Stone software revolves around the idea that learning another language should be fun, easy, and effective. The foundational concept of Rosetta Stone Inc. is to make computer technology mimic the way people learn their native language by using pictures and sounds in context without literal translations or confusing grammatical situations. The easiest way to learn a new language is through emersion.  Rosetta Stone software provides technology-based language learning solutions by integrating multiple aspects of both local and global software to change the way people learn languages.  The name “Rosetta Stone” was based on the artifact that unlocked the secrets of Egyptians hieroglyphics for linguists.  Rosetta stone software continues to enhance the language learning experience by adding new features and applications to their program.