Shevchenko foundation supports Ukrainian multimedia center (08/22/99)

Shevchenko foundation supports Ukrainian multimedia center

EDMONTON - The University of Alberta Faculty Club was the setting for a festive lunch as Andriy Hladyshevsky, president of the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko, presented a check for $3,000 to the university's Ukrainian Center for Multimedia, Interactive Learning and Digital Publishing.

On hand to receive the grant was the center's director, Oleh S. Ilnytskyj. He was joined by Kenneth Norrie, dean of arts; Donald Bruce, chair of the department of modern languages and cultural studies (MLCS), which houses the center; Bohdan Medwidsky, chief organizer of Ukrainian folklore endowments at the University of Alberta; and Natalia Pylypiuk, the Ukrainian language coordinator in MLCS.

The grant from the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko will help the Multimedia Center purchase the latest authoring tools for creating computer-assisted instructional materials for Ukrainian language courses. The center is devoted to the development of interactive programs on CD-ROM and for the Internet. A number of prototypes are currently used at the University of Alberta. The center is working to convert these programs into products that students of Ukrainian can use anywhere.

Prof. Ilnytzkyj explained that a full-scale implementation of multimedia in Ukrainian courses at the University of Alberta is a complex and long-term project. He said he anticipates the first programs to be in use in language courses before the end of the year 2000. The ultimate goal is to turn the Ukrainian language and literature program in the department of modern languages and cultural studies into the premier site for the delivery of Ukrainian courses in digital form.

"We recognize that the future of all levels of education is increasingly distance learning and digital delivery," said Prof. llnytzkyj. "To this end, we aim to develop the expertise and ability to make Ukrainian subjects available to anyone in the world. Our goal is have our courses continuously accessible for reference, self-study and self-testing either through the Internet or on CD-ROM."

The department of modern languages and cultural studies has the largest Ukrainian undergraduate enrollments in North America. With the blessing of both the former and present dean of arts, MLCS last year inaugurated the Ukrainian Center for Multimedia, Interactive Learning and Digital Publishing.

"Our resources at the moment are modest," admitted Prof. Ilnytzkyj, "but recently we've found understanding and support from several organizations and individuals. This has given impetus to our work. The support of Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko has both practical and symbolic meaning. It will allow us to complete a current project and it proves that the Ukrainian community in Canada recognizes the importance of the new technologies and media for Ukrainian education."

The center is now completing two computer programs. One allows students to study and review Ukrainian vocabulary in context. Another is a grammar review module with automated feedback. In the near future the center will also publish an interactive CD-ROM of more than 500 conjugated Ukrainian verbs. Work has also begun on a multimedia "Ukrainian Phrase Book for Tourists and Business Travelers."

For more information on the Ukrainian Center for Multimedia, Interactive Learning and Digital Publishing visit http://www.arts.ualberta.ca/~ukraina/Homepage.html

Correspondence may be addressed to: University of Alberta, Ukrainian Center for Multimedia, Interactive Learning and Digital Publishing, Department of Modern Languages and Cultural Studies, 200 Arts Building Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E6.

| Home Page |