The Pedagogical Potential of Multimedia Dictionaries Lessons from a Community Dictionary Project

• Main Author: Haley De Korne
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: anishina*
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.377.1662; http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~jar/ILR/ILR-11.pdf

Although traditionally used as a documentation device, dictionaries are being reconceived and explored for pedagogical potential through the use of multimedia technology. This paper looks at some considerations for creating a dictionary aimed at facilitating Indigenous language acquisition, including the possibilities and limitations of multimedia, educational approaches and the needs of Heritage language learners. Through a case study of the Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indian’s bilingual Anishinaabemowin dictionary project, some specific approaches to enhancing the educational potential of a multimedia dictionary and future directions are discussed. For communities working on language reclamation and revitalization projects, choosing the direction in which to commit limited energy and resources can be difficult. There may be a need to document language, create learning materials, and facilitate language learning, all as rapidly as possible. 2 In these contexts the efficient allocation of resources to meet holistic needs is crucial, and