CAN-8 FAQs
Why use a network with Internet access?
In a network, everyone shares one copy of the data from the file server. Maintaining just one file is simpler, less expensive and more efficient than purchasing and maintaining multiple copies for each stand-alone, full-cost station.
Networks span any geography (from campus dorms to the Internet) while providing convenient, secure, central collection and storage of student and curricular data.
In networked classroom students begin work as soon as they are seated. There is no need to hand out disks or download tapes.
Why is CAN8 VirtuaLab replacing audiolabs?
Versatility
CAN-8 offers a multi-purpose, multi-featured lab that costs the same or less than a traditional, single-purpose listening lab. CAN-8 can run on "entry-level" computer hardware. In most cases you can install the CAN-8 system into existing hardware.
Space-Saving
All functions are combined within the computer network; no need to have separate classrooms for computer and audio equipment. In fact, the language centre can be entirely online, offering a solution where space is not available.
Teacher and Author Consoles
There is no need for an expensive, fixed-location, single-purpose, teacher console. Sophisticated CAN-8 software instantly turns any station into a powerful teacher-control console. There may be many consoles in use at one time and in many locations. They may be used for both accessing student work and authoring new courseware.
Efficiency
Elimination of cassette tapes means elimination of tape purchase, replacement, storage, maintenance and handling. Existing material can be used and re-used without wear, loss of material or sound fidelity. As of this writing, the cost of storing an hour of digitally recorded sound on a file server is getting less and less as time goes on. The file server can provide this hour of sound to more than 1000 student workstations at a cost far less than that of maintaining the cassette tape library previously required. Since the students do not have to be in a lab, they may work from other areas on the network at any time they choose.
Flexibility
In addition, CAN-8's versatility permits use around the clock, from any location, be it by part-time, working students, on the campus, at home or in the office. It can be shared by many languages and used for other purposes - all at the same time. Some CAN-8 customers provide services in real time to students in foreign countries. CAN-8 is a platform designed to take advantage of changing technologies for the benefit of the student and teacher. It is a system that can evolve over time without having to change hardware or operating system software.
Are non-roman scripts supported?
From Chinese to Cree syllabics CAN-8 is 100% Unicode.
Non-roman scripts are fully supported with CAN-8's internal keyboard. Commonly used keyboards are available with the system and new keyboards can be customized using Unicode 4-digit codes. In addition, users can combine internal support with external script support found in other programs (for Chinese and Japanese, for example). CAN-8 is the perfect solution for less-commonly taught languages and is currently being used for over 20 languages including Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Russian, Ukranian, Icelandic, Cree, and Ojibwe.
What is the difference between CAN8 VirtuaLab and a library of CDROM materials?
CDROM material often does not treat student's oral production as a priority, CAN8 material does. Secondly, where students are recording after listening to the prompt on the CD, there is no method for handling the storage and evaluation of that material. CAN8 VirtuaLab automatically saves students’ work so that students can instantly play it back and instructors can retrieve it and give feedback.
The data is automatically compressed making accessibility instantaneous and also available over a wide area network such as the Internet. Finally, CAN8 is designed as a network application so that security and other networking issues are fully dealt with. Of course, CDROM material can also be used in the computer lab where CAN8 VirtuaLab is operating. If desired, the CAN8 menu system and evaluation system can be used in conjunction with CDROMs, to boost their effectiveness.
What are the system requirements?
The Windows CAN-8 product accesses material on the server via the IP protocol. This requires that the stations be capable of communicating with the server using the IP protocol. Minimum workstation requirements are available on request.
What about teacher training?
A variety of training options are offered to all CAN8 users. Follow-up training is also available. A minimum of 3 days of training is required for each new CAN-8 installation.
What do you need to work online?
When CAN8 is implemented online, the multimedia client station can access the material using a 56k modem or better. The client station must have downloaded or installed once a small set of files or "plugin" which can be made accessible from the campus website.
May I have interactive video instruction for each student station?
Yes. The CAN-8 system supports the transfer of MPEG compressed video data to student stations for the display of video. Cost-effective solutions are available.
How many student stations can I serve from one file server?
150 on a low end server (for example a Pentium II 300mHz processor)
One institution, running this configuration for their CAN-8 system, uses less than 20% of the capacity of such a server at peak load times. With the current new server standards, say Pentium 4 processor a 1.3 GHz the theoretical limit would be in the thousands.
How do I get more information on the CAN-8 Virtualab?
For more information on CAN-8 VirtuLab and/or to request a demonstration, please visit www.can8.com