I’ve discovered that there is life beyond V3. Here’s an audio interview I did for Danwei’s China businesscast series. They asked me to talk about the ChinesePod business model.
Btw, if you don’t know Danwei, well you should. Great source of information on media-related things in China.
Ken Carroll
中文 Chinese
Ifung Lu Says:
April 15th, 2007 at 11:39 pm
Very nice interview. I have to say that you are probably being modest when you say that ChinesePod encapsulates only 60% of what you get in a language school. I’ve probably learned more Chinese in the month or so of my paid subscription with ChinesePod than I have all year long taking a conversational Mandarin class at my university for two hours a week each week. Thank you for that.
The convenience offered by the web 2.0 technologies, like you said, is a big plus, but also the ability to self-guide and tailor the learning experience to your needs is fantastic.
The university had trouble placing me in a class because my listening comprehension is quite high, but my speaking, reading and writing are pretty basic. ChinesePod allows me to jump around between lessons at different levels so that I can work on an Intermediate lesson for listening, or skip down to an Elementary lesson to work on reading and writing.
Anyway, I’m glad that you have discovered life beyond V3, and I am glad that you are constantly taking chances and striving to improve, instead of siting on your laurels and becoming stagnant. Bravo to ChinesePod, and keep at it. Thanks again.
Ifung Lu
Lantian Says:
April 16th, 2007 at 9:50 am
9998- SLOW IN CHINA. I was able to download the Danwei MP3 file in about 8 seconds at 180-212 kbs. In the meantime my Chinesepod lesson for today is downloading at 5 kbs and will take all morning. oohh wait, it’s up to 5.2 ….
Mike in Jubei Says:
April 16th, 2007 at 11:52 am
Lantian
In Taiwan the lessons are downloading in less that 30 seconds. You have to pay somehow for where you live. Life is not fair you know.
Orlando Kelm Says:
April 17th, 2007 at 12:07 am
Ken,
Nice interview. It was especially interesting to hear that “personal growth” is more often a factor for wanting to learn, as opposed to professional reasons. I know that is true in my own case. And in the classes I teach, especially in Brazilian Portuguese, students always have personal reasons beyond the academic ones.
As to video podcasts, here at the Univ. of Texas I’m often asked about that too. Like you, I haven’t been able to come up with the compelling reasons. We do use video for a lot of things, including seeing language interactions, but for the most part audio provides mobility.
Anyway, it was an interesting interview, thanks for sharing.
Orlando
Ken Carroll Says:
April 17th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Orlando,
Each of these new and wonderful media has it’s own strength in the learning context. Whether it’s instant messaging or a multimedia presentation, they can all be used for learning, but in different ways, and towards different ends. This is something that shines through for me since getting involved in this web 2.0 world.
But it’s pioneering stuff. To a certain extent, it’s necessary to actually try using the tools inn order to figure out their strengths.
I’m not sure that most educators are alive to the immense possibilities that these developments now offer. My hat is off to you in your forward thinking approach. Keep experimenting and keep us infromed!
Ken Carroll