Interactive Video

One Monitor or Two?

Abstract

Interactive video is a rapidly growing technology
which holds great promise for teaching
foreign language and culture. Multimedia
contextualization of the language and simulations
of typical cultural situations are powerful
tools for language teachers and learners. Interactive
video is often delivered with alternate
workstation designs: one with a single monitor
to present simultaneous video and text, and one
with different monitors for video and computer
text and graphics. This study investigates the
possibility that the workstation configurations
might have a differential impact on student
performance on a test of Spanish culture. Students
in second semester college Spanish classes
studied five interactive video Spanish culture
simulations during the semester. Some students
used a single monitor workstation and others a
dual monitor design. They were given pre- and
post-tests on Spanish culture and the results
were analyzed for significant differences. Additional
factors influencing workstation design
(e.g., hardware and software costs, user friendliness)
are also discussed.