Distance Learning Course Development

InterPrep has been centrally involved in a number of distance learning projects that have produced materials for student use in both foreign languages and international education.  Examples of its work in this area are given below.

Irasshai

Irasshai is a two-year, for-credit high school distance learning course in Japanese language and culture produced by Georgia Public Broadcasting.  This Emmy-award winning program is based on lively video lessons, telephone interaction between students and native speakers of Japanese, tailored print materials to provide adequate student practice, up-to-date culture materials and a dynamic website.  InterPrep coordinated the curriculum development of Irasshai and oversees its daily operation through a contract with Georgia Public Broadcasting.

Irasshai Explorer

This Georgia Public Broadcasting educational series is a middle school exploratory course in Japanese and can be used by classroom teachers who do not speak the language. Through twelve 30-minute videos and accompanying activities appropriate for middle schoolers, students get a taste of the Japanese language and learn a lot about Japanese culture. InterPrep served as the project manager for Irasshai Explorer.

Salsa

Designed to be used in elementary school classrooms, this engaging Spanish series, consisting of 42 videos, can be used by teachers who do not speak the language.  Also produced  by Georgia Public Broadcasting and recipient of more than 25 Emmy awards, this popular series contains follow-up activity suggestions for teachers as well as a website.  InterPrep was responsible for conceptualization and development of the Salsa curriculum.

International Studies: Challenge for the Next Generation

Based on the book written by President Jimmy Carter, this collaborative project of the Satellite Educational Resources Consortium, The Carter Center of Emory University, Georgia Public Television and the Georgia Department of Education produced four videos and accompanying print materials to assist high school students in understanding current international issues.  Emanating from The Carter Center and featuring both President Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter, the series was broadcast live via satellite to high schools throughout the United States.  InterPrep served as the project´s coordinator of curriculum development.