TOMORROW'S LANGUAGE LAB TODAY.

LANGUAGE LABORATORIES HAVE CHANGED FROM SIMPLE INSTALLATIONS, EQUIPPED WITH RECORD PLAYERS OR TAPE RECORDERS, TO COMPLEX INSTALLATIONS WITH FACILITIES FOR SELF-INSTRUCTION, DIAL SELECTION OF AUDIO PROGRAMS, REMOTE STORAGE OF TAPES, AND EVEN RECEPTION OF TV. LANGUAGE LABORATORIES OF THE FUTURE MUST HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF BEING OPERATED EFFICIENTLY ON A PARTIAL OR TOTAL SELF-INSTRUCTIONAL BASIS, AND MUST BE FLEXIBLE ENOUGH TO PERMIT THE USE OF A VARIETY OF TEACHING TECHNIQUES AND MATERIALS. THE AUDIO-VIDEO LABORATORY MEETS THESE REQUIREMENTS. A LAB OF THIS TYPE WAS INSTALLED AT FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY AFTER SELF-INSTRUCTIONAL AND AUDIO-VIDEO MATERIALS HAD BEEN DEVELOPED BY STAFF MEMBERS AND ELECTRONIC STUDIES HAD BEEN MADE BY THE ENGINEERING STAFF OF CONTINUOUS PROGRESS EDUCATION. IT IS EQUIPPED WITH 40 POSITIONS WITH FACILITIES FOR DIAL SELECTION OF ANY OF 100 AUDIO PROGRAMS FROM A REMOTE LIBRARY. TEN BOOTHS CAN BE USED INDEPENDENTLY OF THE CONSOLE TO RECORD AUDIO PROGRAMS AND RESPONSES ON REMOTELY LOCATED TAPE RECORDERS. TEN POSITIONS ARE EQUIPPED FOR VIDEO RECEPTION. IT IS EXPECTED THAT THIS LABORATORY WILL PROVIDE TEACHING MACHINE CAPABILITIES FOR THE LANGUAGE PROGRAM AT FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY. PLANS FOR FUTURE EXPANSION OF THE LABORATORY INCLUDE INSTALLATION OF DIAL FACILITIES IN DORMITORIES AND LIBRARY, AND ADPATATION TO A COMPUTER SYSTEM. THIS ARTICLE IS PUBLISHED IN THE "FLORIDA FL REPORTER," WINTER, 1965-1966. (AM)