The computer is just another tool for learning, like a book, a video or audio cassette. A computer can not replace these things, and most importantly it can never replace a teacher.

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But it can be a powerful learning tool for independent self-study, and the unique ability of the multimedia PC to integrate text, sound and graphics makes it in many ways an ideal study tool for learning language.
If used properly, a computer can be both a learning partner and an "expert language consultant", and the best way to get an insight and understanding of how the computer can uniquely help you to study language is to follow the Windows Media presentation listed here. 

	Windows Media Presentation (fast connection broadband / LAN)
	Windows Media Presentation (slow connection modem)
	Windows Media Presentation (load in Media Player)

Windows Media Presentation: Resource Assisted Learning

There are two versions of this, one implemented as a streaming media file with HTML page slides and bookmarks for navigation, and the second version implemented as a DHTML program with animated graphics. In both versions the presentation is given by the Lernout & Hauspie Speech Narrator, and the full text is given in the bottom frame. You can look up any word in the Net Dictionary by clicking with the mouse. 

1. Media Streaming with slides.

This will work in both Internet Explorer and Netscape, although the markers don't seem to work properly in Netscape 6. It is best played in Internet Explorer, but can also be played directly in the Windows Media Player. Performance may be better when directly loaded into the Media Player. 

When played in the browser it looks like the screen opposite. The slides appear in the display window on the right, the bookmarks listed on the left can be used to navigate. The full text is listed in the bottom window.

If the file is loaded directly into the Media Player, not all the HTML pages will be loaded, but the main display slides will be loaded in a separate copy of the browser, as shown in the picture on the left. You can use the Media Player controls, and the bookmarks are accessed from the view menu.

2. Media Presentation with DHTML.

This has the same presentation content, but is implemented as a single file and uses scripting to display and animate the slides. There are no navigation file markers, and the presentation must run from start to end. Only the Play, Pause and Stop buttons work. This version only runs in Internet Explorer, and the resolution should be set to 800 x 600. It runs on other settings, but may look different.

There are also summary notes that appear in pop-up windows, as shown in the picture.  Summary notes for each section can be reviewed at the end of the presentation.

Windows Media Presentation (DHTML)