Bobby Fischer Against the World, Summer Doc Series
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On one hand, it makes complete sense to create a documentary about Bobby Fischer; he was a child prodigy, the world chess champion, and an insane person. All of those elements can add up to remarkably compelling storytelling. On the other, Fischer is undoubtedly a relic of another time whose 15 minutes of fame seemed artificially stretched beyond their breaking point by a people as obsessed with him as he was with chess.
In Bobby Fischer Against the World, director Liz Garbus pieces together a monumentally beautiful documentary that’s only slightly uninteresting.
The doc does a fantastic job of telling Fischer’s life story inasmuch as it consists mainly of childhood fame, an iconic match to become world champion, and a pathetic downhill slide into paranoia and death. Yes, he is an incendiary figure that helped launch a giant chess craze in the United States during a time where any fight between the Soviets and the Red, White and Blue would have caused a sensation. It’s also true that he was infuriating (and that’s might make him interesting for some). Unfortunately, Fischer isn’t very compelling past his achievements; he’s a cultural marker that maintained a spotlight because he refused to play by the rules, not because he had anything profound to say.
Garbus seems to anticipate this and loads the film with fascinating figures discussing their rocky friendships with the champ in attempt to give his life true context.
One of the triumphs of the narrative comes in delivering a sports movie where the tension ratchets up almost immediately. Imagine if Miracle placed its mesmerizing final match at the start of the second act instead of minutes before the credits. The effect is a familiar yet jarring one that portends a story beyond what Fischer is most known for.
That story never comes to pass, and even though much of the championship game is described by figures who were there (instead of showing whole segments of the games), it’s a thrilling section that buoys the film and delivers some of its best moments.
After all, the game against chess titan Boris Spassky itself seems so much more important than Fischer. It’s more of a legend than he is because it was a moment where the hard work and natural ability of an American was pitted against the chess machine of the Soviets. It’s Rocky IV except no one got close enough to Fischer to wrap him in a giant flag.
The success of the film comes from leaving Fischer completely open to interpretation. He’s a damaged child throwing tantrums and fearing the possibility of loss. He’s the first child star pushed too hard by an unbalanced mother. He’s a national hero who proved the Ruskies wrong. He’s a sad old man, neglected and discarded by his country. He is all or none of these things, but he is undoubtedly a symbol more than a man. The media that he so feared ended up winning in the end, reducing him to a flattened image and pasting their own story on him regardless of what he truly felt.
The last part of the doc must have been tough to make considering that Fischer fell off the map completely. When he emerged, it was to play an unimportant match that saw him breaking a US sanction. He became a man without a country, and his bitterness fueled the paranoia that had grown inside of him since the 70s. He bought more tinfoil, openly mocked the United States on 9/11, and ended his legacy in a space directly opposite of the nadir he reached as a chess lover.
He’s a bewildering figure, and someone should have gotten him mental aid long before it was too late, but there’s not enough from Fischer here to really make the doc come alive. The result is a story told by the outside, one of speculation and criticism. It’s the filmic version of old men sitting around a campfire trying to remember why they felt so strongly about something that happened four decades ago.
It’s an enjoyable movie featuring some truly creative interstitials and conversations from interesting people, but the central figure is not nearly as interesting as maybe the world once thought. Maybe that’s the ultimate poetry of his life, but it makes for a boring chunk of an otherwise fascinating subject.
Source:
http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/reviews/summer-doc-series-review-bobby-fischer-against-the-world.php
In Bobby Fischer Against the World, director Liz Garbus pieces together a monumentally beautiful documentary that’s only slightly uninteresting.
The doc does a fantastic job of telling Fischer’s life story inasmuch as it consists mainly of childhood fame, an iconic match to become world champion, and a pathetic downhill slide into paranoia and death. Yes, he is an incendiary figure that helped launch a giant chess craze in the United States during a time where any fight between the Soviets and the Red, White and Blue would have caused a sensation. It’s also true that he was infuriating (and that’s might make him interesting for some). Unfortunately, Fischer isn’t very compelling past his achievements; he’s a cultural marker that maintained a spotlight because he refused to play by the rules, not because he had anything profound to say.
Garbus seems to anticipate this and loads the film with fascinating figures discussing their rocky friendships with the champ in attempt to give his life true context.
One of the triumphs of the narrative comes in delivering a sports movie where the tension ratchets up almost immediately. Imagine if Miracle placed its mesmerizing final match at the start of the second act instead of minutes before the credits. The effect is a familiar yet jarring one that portends a story beyond what Fischer is most known for.
That story never comes to pass, and even though much of the championship game is described by figures who were there (instead of showing whole segments of the games), it’s a thrilling section that buoys the film and delivers some of its best moments.
After all, the game against chess titan Boris Spassky itself seems so much more important than Fischer. It’s more of a legend than he is because it was a moment where the hard work and natural ability of an American was pitted against the chess machine of the Soviets. It’s Rocky IV except no one got close enough to Fischer to wrap him in a giant flag.
The success of the film comes from leaving Fischer completely open to interpretation. He’s a damaged child throwing tantrums and fearing the possibility of loss. He’s the first child star pushed too hard by an unbalanced mother. He’s a national hero who proved the Ruskies wrong. He’s a sad old man, neglected and discarded by his country. He is all or none of these things, but he is undoubtedly a symbol more than a man. The media that he so feared ended up winning in the end, reducing him to a flattened image and pasting their own story on him regardless of what he truly felt.
The last part of the doc must have been tough to make considering that Fischer fell off the map completely. When he emerged, it was to play an unimportant match that saw him breaking a US sanction. He became a man without a country, and his bitterness fueled the paranoia that had grown inside of him since the 70s. He bought more tinfoil, openly mocked the United States on 9/11, and ended his legacy in a space directly opposite of the nadir he reached as a chess lover.
He’s a bewildering figure, and someone should have gotten him mental aid long before it was too late, but there’s not enough from Fischer here to really make the doc come alive. The result is a story told by the outside, one of speculation and criticism. It’s the filmic version of old men sitting around a campfire trying to remember why they felt so strongly about something that happened four decades ago.
It’s an enjoyable movie featuring some truly creative interstitials and conversations from interesting people, but the central figure is not nearly as interesting as maybe the world once thought. Maybe that’s the ultimate poetry of his life, but it makes for a boring chunk of an otherwise fascinating subject.
Source:
http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/reviews/summer-doc-series-review-bobby-fischer-against-the-world.php
Construction begins on new AutoZone site at Totem Lake Malls
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AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) ranks first with an RPE of $123K; Monro Muffler (NASDAQ:MNRO) ranks second with an RPE of $129K; and PEP Boys (NYSE:PBY) ranks third with an RPE of $160K. O'Reilly Automotive (NASDAQ:ORLY) follows with an RPE of $177K and Midas.
By Shubh Datta The biggest US auto-parts retailer, AutoZone, reported strong third-quarter earnings this week, with a 12% year-over-year rise in profits that trampled Wall Street's estimates. Shares jumped to a 52-week high on the news.
AutoZone Inc. (NYSE:AZO) said its third-quarter profit rose to $227.4 million, or $5.29 a share, from $202.7 million, or $4.12 a share, in the year-ago period. Sales rose to $1.98 billion from $1.82 billion. Analysts surveyed by FactSet Research were.
Construction began this week on the old Schuck's Auto Parts store in the parking lot of the lower Totem Lake Mall. Schuck's has moved to the opposite side of the lower mall and changed its name to O'Rielly Auto Parts. A sign on the front of the construction site said that the renovated building will house an AutoZone Auto Parts store.
For the second straight night, the Albuquerque Isotopes (30-24) were able to hold on to a slim lead and withstand a ninth-inning surge by the Memphis Redbirds (24-30) to earn a razor-thin 3-2 win Friday night at AutoZone Park.
By Shubh Datta The biggest US auto-parts retailer, AutoZone, reported strong third-quarter earnings this week, with a 12% year-over-year rise in profits that trampled Wall Street's estimates. Shares jumped to a 52-week high on the news.
AutoZone Inc. (NYSE:AZO) said its third-quarter profit rose to $227.4 million, or $5.29 a share, from $202.7 million, or $4.12 a share, in the year-ago period. Sales rose to $1.98 billion from $1.82 billion. Analysts surveyed by FactSet Research were.
Construction began this week on the old Schuck's Auto Parts store in the parking lot of the lower Totem Lake Mall. Schuck's has moved to the opposite side of the lower mall and changed its name to O'Rielly Auto Parts. A sign on the front of the construction site said that the renovated building will house an AutoZone Auto Parts store.
For the second straight night, the Albuquerque Isotopes (30-24) were able to hold on to a slim lead and withstand a ninth-inning surge by the Memphis Redbirds (24-30) to earn a razor-thin 3-2 win Friday night at AutoZone Park.
U.S. Bank Healthcare Division Partner for Health Care Growth
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Adventist Health System obtained thе services οf US Bank Healthcare Division, a division οf US Bank. Thе health care division closes аѕ lead "Senior Credit Facility." Adventist Health System represents a An article hаѕ bееn posted аt thе Business Wire.
Tеmреrаmеntаl's Investors Service сουld bе set tο lower a number οf US banks аѕ thе rating firm looks аt thе likelihood thе country's government wіll cap thе support іt lends tο thе fаrtеѕt financial companies. Citigroup, Wells Fargo аnd Company аnd Bank.
Adventist Health System serves four million patients annually. By working with an "expert" company that specializes in the laws of each state, investing and even presentation of product, Adventist can concentrate on doing what they do best and that is providing services as inexpensively as possible.
The difference with Adventist Health System is that they get rid of the middle man. They run their own health care facilities including inpatient and outpatient. That is what they concentrate on.
US Bank raised thеіr rate three basis points tο 4.46 percent today. Thе weekly trend іѕ still lower, down two points. Chase raised thеіr 30-year FRM three basis points tο 4.73 percent. Both US Bank аnd Chase offer 20-year financing.
Tеmреrаmеntаl's Investors Service сουld bе set tο lower a number οf US banks аѕ thе rating firm looks аt thе likelihood thе country's government wіll cap thе support іt lends tο thе fаrtеѕt financial companies. Citigroup, Wells Fargo аnd Company аnd Bank.
Adventist Health System serves four million patients annually. By working with an "expert" company that specializes in the laws of each state, investing and even presentation of product, Adventist can concentrate on doing what they do best and that is providing services as inexpensively as possible.
The difference with Adventist Health System is that they get rid of the middle man. They run their own health care facilities including inpatient and outpatient. That is what they concentrate on.
US Bank raised thеіr rate three basis points tο 4.46 percent today. Thе weekly trend іѕ still lower, down two points. Chase raised thеіr 30-year FRM three basis points tο 4.73 percent. Both US Bank аnd Chase offer 20-year financing.
Nintendo 3DS launch with internet browser
Nintendo's 3DS shipped only a few months ago, but the handheld gaming machine will be getting its first major update on June 6th, just days from now. When the update starts flowing to devices, it'll bring along a new Web browser as well as something pretty special: Nintendo's eShop.
The eShop will function similar to the stores on the Wii and DSi consoles. At launch it will only offer more than 350 DSi games and 5 new software – three vintage 1989 games from the black-and-white Game Boy library, a 3-D enhanced version of the classic 8-bit game Excitebike and an interactive Pokémon strategy guide.
The new update will also offer an internet browser for the 3DS. That browser will support 3D content; 3D Web sites aren't too popular right now, but with the 3D bandwagon rolling on, we suspect that will be changing in due time. As for the eShop, it's a content-downloading service that features applications, product information, and game trailers. Nintendo has already had success finding original 3D software, classic games that have been re-made in 3D (3D Classics), Game Boy / GBC virtual console games, and over 350 DSiWare games.
eShop games will start at $1.99 each. Top titles like Super Mario Land will cost $3.99, and Alleyway and Radar Mission will cost $2.99.
Sources:
http://hothardware.com/News/Nintendo-3DS-Update-Brings-New-Browser-And-eShop/
http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/02/nintendo-3ds-eshop-to-launch-on-june-6-with-internet-browser-and/
The eShop will function similar to the stores on the Wii and DSi consoles. At launch it will only offer more than 350 DSi games and 5 new software – three vintage 1989 games from the black-and-white Game Boy library, a 3-D enhanced version of the classic 8-bit game Excitebike and an interactive Pokémon strategy guide.
The new update will also offer an internet browser for the 3DS. That browser will support 3D content; 3D Web sites aren't too popular right now, but with the 3D bandwagon rolling on, we suspect that will be changing in due time. As for the eShop, it's a content-downloading service that features applications, product information, and game trailers. Nintendo has already had success finding original 3D software, classic games that have been re-made in 3D (3D Classics), Game Boy / GBC virtual console games, and over 350 DSiWare games.
eShop games will start at $1.99 each. Top titles like Super Mario Land will cost $3.99, and Alleyway and Radar Mission will cost $2.99.
Sources:
http://hothardware.com/News/Nintendo-3DS-Update-Brings-New-Browser-And-eShop/
http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/02/nintendo-3ds-eshop-to-launch-on-june-6-with-internet-browser-and/
College Baseball: Steedley a leader for 49ers
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CHARLOTTE — Always a challenge, the NCAA baseball tournament turned into an epic adventure for the Charlotte 49ers as they watched the selection show unfold on Monday afternoon.
Champions of the Atlantic 10 regular season and tournament, the 28th-ranked 49ers (42-14) assumed they’d stick close to home at one of the regionals in the Carolinas. Instead, they were dispatched to Tempe, Ariz., to join Arkansas, New Mexico and Arizona State. The 49ers couldn’t have been more surprised if the brackets had them playing on the moon.
“We were shocked to go to Arizona,” said Charlotte’s all-conference catcher Ross Steedley, the former East Rowan standout. “It’s going to be fun out there, but this makes it hard on our parents and fans. We’re going to be playing in front of about 25 people who are for us. If we’d gone to Chapel Hill, Columbia or Clemson, or even Virginia, we’d have taken a pretty good crowd with us.”
College Baseball Tempe is 2,000-plus miles from Charlotte. The 49ers planned to fly out this morning at 11:30 a.m., with Atlanta as their first stop. They were anticipating a three-hour layover in Georgia before making the last leg of the journey to the Land of the Sun.
“We’ve played games one time zone away this year, but this will be the first time we’ll play where there’s a three-hour difference,” said Steedley, a 2007 East graduate. “We’ll be facing some serious jet lag.”
Despite the travel obstacle, Charlotte has a chance to advance. It has turned in a banner season. Steedley leads the team in slugging percentage and batting average (.349).
Justin Roland, a 2008 East graduate, is in his second year as the starting shortstop. A redshirt in 2009 due to injury, he was a Freshman All-American in 2010. A .260-hitter, he anchors the defense, is one of the national leaders with 22 sacrifice bunts and is tied for fifth on the team with 32 runs.
Shive, a 2009 East graduate known for his pitching in high school and American Legion, has been in the lineup down the stretch at first base and has batted .306 in 24 games.
“Ryan Rose, our sports information guy and broadcaster, calls us the East Rowan Connection, and there was a game in the conference tournament where all three of us had a double and an RBI,” Steedley said. “Justin’s the perfect No. 9 guy and is the hottest hitter on the team right now. And it’s been great to see Corbin get a chance. He gives us some right-handed power.”
Steedley is listed as a redshirt junior, but he graduated recently with a degree in communications. He enjoys talking about everything except his medical charters. He’s had to overcome several setbacks, most notably shoulder surgery which cost him the 2009 season (he took a medical redshirt) and all but the final weeks in 2010.
“People talk about how often I’ve been hurt, but it’s really just two minor knee surgeries besides the shoulder,” Steedley said. “There also have been nagging hamstring injuries, but I don’t know many athletes, especially catchers, who haven’t had a hamstring issue.”
When he’s 100 percent, there’s no question Steedley (6 feet, 199 pounds) is a stud. After sharing the Rowan County Player of the Year Award in 2007, he was good enough to start opening day at catcher for the 49ers as a true freshman in 2008.
He hasn’t had the best of luck since, but his comeback this year has been strong.
“I expected to play well,” Steedley said. “I’d put in the work and the time.”
While he’s often Charlotte’s reliable cleanup hitter, Steedley’s greatest value is calling pitches and handling the staff. Charlotte’s hurling has been phenomenal — a 2.43 ERA (ranked fourth nationally) and 11 shutouts.
“I called pitches all four years in high school, for Coach (Allen) Wilson, and then for Coach (Brian) Hightower,” Steedley said. “I’ve also called pitches here, and it’s something I really enjoy. It’s a great feeling to have the game in your hands.”
Charlotte is making its fifth trip to a regional. In 2007, when Ross’ brother Spencer was one of the team’s stars, the 49ers won twice in the Columbia Regional. That’s the only time the 49ers ever won a regional game. Charlotte’s last regional appearance was in 2008, when the 49ers went 0-2 in Raleigh.
Charlotte and Arkansas are pitching-and-defense teams and both will have aces throwing in the opener. Andrew Smith, Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Year, will be on the mound for the 49ers.
“Our pitching is strong, and there’s been lower-scoring games this year with the change in the bats,” Steedley said. “You don’t see 19-18 games anymore. You’ve got to small-ball a lot more, but that’s fine. I think now the college game is baseball the way it’s meant to be played.”
Spencer Steedley is currently in the pro ranks. Drafted out of Charlotte after his senior year in 2007, he’s made several minor-league all-star teams and is now with the Minnesota Twins’ New Britain farm club in Double A.
Ross may have a chance for his own pro career, and he’s eligible for next week’s draft.
“Spencer tells me I can catch at a high level, and even though he’s my brother, he’s going to be truthful about something like that,” Ross said. “I’ve also caught John Maine (former UNCC standout and former Mets hurler), and he said he liked throwing to me. We’ll just have to see, and if nothing happens, then I’ve still got some good options.”
He’s got a spot on the West Virginia Miners in the wood bat Prospect League this summer if the draft doesn’t work out. Jim Gantt also has kept a spot on Rowan County’s coaching staff open for him. Steedley also has made applications to graduate schools.
But first things first. Right now, there are pitches to call in a regional a long, long way from home.
“Arkansas is a tough opponent,” Steedley said. “But I feel good about our team. We’ve got a nice mix of experience and young talent.”
Source: http://www.salisburypost.com/Sports/060211-ross-steedley-qcd
Champions of the Atlantic 10 regular season and tournament, the 28th-ranked 49ers (42-14) assumed they’d stick close to home at one of the regionals in the Carolinas. Instead, they were dispatched to Tempe, Ariz., to join Arkansas, New Mexico and Arizona State. The 49ers couldn’t have been more surprised if the brackets had them playing on the moon.
“We were shocked to go to Arizona,” said Charlotte’s all-conference catcher Ross Steedley, the former East Rowan standout. “It’s going to be fun out there, but this makes it hard on our parents and fans. We’re going to be playing in front of about 25 people who are for us. If we’d gone to Chapel Hill, Columbia or Clemson, or even Virginia, we’d have taken a pretty good crowd with us.”
College Baseball Tempe is 2,000-plus miles from Charlotte. The 49ers planned to fly out this morning at 11:30 a.m., with Atlanta as their first stop. They were anticipating a three-hour layover in Georgia before making the last leg of the journey to the Land of the Sun.
“We’ve played games one time zone away this year, but this will be the first time we’ll play where there’s a three-hour difference,” said Steedley, a 2007 East graduate. “We’ll be facing some serious jet lag.”
Despite the travel obstacle, Charlotte has a chance to advance. It has turned in a banner season. Steedley leads the team in slugging percentage and batting average (.349).
Justin Roland, a 2008 East graduate, is in his second year as the starting shortstop. A redshirt in 2009 due to injury, he was a Freshman All-American in 2010. A .260-hitter, he anchors the defense, is one of the national leaders with 22 sacrifice bunts and is tied for fifth on the team with 32 runs.
Shive, a 2009 East graduate known for his pitching in high school and American Legion, has been in the lineup down the stretch at first base and has batted .306 in 24 games.
“Ryan Rose, our sports information guy and broadcaster, calls us the East Rowan Connection, and there was a game in the conference tournament where all three of us had a double and an RBI,” Steedley said. “Justin’s the perfect No. 9 guy and is the hottest hitter on the team right now. And it’s been great to see Corbin get a chance. He gives us some right-handed power.”
Steedley is listed as a redshirt junior, but he graduated recently with a degree in communications. He enjoys talking about everything except his medical charters. He’s had to overcome several setbacks, most notably shoulder surgery which cost him the 2009 season (he took a medical redshirt) and all but the final weeks in 2010.
“People talk about how often I’ve been hurt, but it’s really just two minor knee surgeries besides the shoulder,” Steedley said. “There also have been nagging hamstring injuries, but I don’t know many athletes, especially catchers, who haven’t had a hamstring issue.”
When he’s 100 percent, there’s no question Steedley (6 feet, 199 pounds) is a stud. After sharing the Rowan County Player of the Year Award in 2007, he was good enough to start opening day at catcher for the 49ers as a true freshman in 2008.
He hasn’t had the best of luck since, but his comeback this year has been strong.
“I expected to play well,” Steedley said. “I’d put in the work and the time.”
While he’s often Charlotte’s reliable cleanup hitter, Steedley’s greatest value is calling pitches and handling the staff. Charlotte’s hurling has been phenomenal — a 2.43 ERA (ranked fourth nationally) and 11 shutouts.
“I called pitches all four years in high school, for Coach (Allen) Wilson, and then for Coach (Brian) Hightower,” Steedley said. “I’ve also called pitches here, and it’s something I really enjoy. It’s a great feeling to have the game in your hands.”
Charlotte is making its fifth trip to a regional. In 2007, when Ross’ brother Spencer was one of the team’s stars, the 49ers won twice in the Columbia Regional. That’s the only time the 49ers ever won a regional game. Charlotte’s last regional appearance was in 2008, when the 49ers went 0-2 in Raleigh.
Charlotte and Arkansas are pitching-and-defense teams and both will have aces throwing in the opener. Andrew Smith, Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Year, will be on the mound for the 49ers.
“Our pitching is strong, and there’s been lower-scoring games this year with the change in the bats,” Steedley said. “You don’t see 19-18 games anymore. You’ve got to small-ball a lot more, but that’s fine. I think now the college game is baseball the way it’s meant to be played.”
Spencer Steedley is currently in the pro ranks. Drafted out of Charlotte after his senior year in 2007, he’s made several minor-league all-star teams and is now with the Minnesota Twins’ New Britain farm club in Double A.
Ross may have a chance for his own pro career, and he’s eligible for next week’s draft.
“Spencer tells me I can catch at a high level, and even though he’s my brother, he’s going to be truthful about something like that,” Ross said. “I’ve also caught John Maine (former UNCC standout and former Mets hurler), and he said he liked throwing to me. We’ll just have to see, and if nothing happens, then I’ve still got some good options.”
He’s got a spot on the West Virginia Miners in the wood bat Prospect League this summer if the draft doesn’t work out. Jim Gantt also has kept a spot on Rowan County’s coaching staff open for him. Steedley also has made applications to graduate schools.
But first things first. Right now, there are pitches to call in a regional a long, long way from home.
“Arkansas is a tough opponent,” Steedley said. “But I feel good about our team. We’ve got a nice mix of experience and young talent.”
Source: http://www.salisburypost.com/Sports/060211-ross-steedley-qcd
Rosetta Stone iPad app for language learners
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Rosetta Stone launched its iPad app today, which is basically just a lighter version of its core “course” software. The app itself is nothing extraordinary, but the way it teaches languages is pretty awesome. Foreign language has never been my best subject, but I had a blast playing with this app because it feels way more like a puzzle than a language lesson. The worst part is the price: you have to be a Rosetta Stone customer to access the app.
If you take learning languages seriously, I would gladly argue that there is no better language-learning app out there. But if you’re looking for something light and fun, the price tag on this app will certainly outweigh your desire for it.
As far as learning languages goes, Rosetta Stone seems to have the process nailed. Instead of learning through simple flash-card style memorization or by-the-book translation, the Rosetta Stone TOTALe Companion app forces you to problem-solve while you learn. For instance, instead of reading a sentence in Spanish, hearing it, and then repeating (parroting), Rosetta Stone gives you a couple of different pictures of whatever phrase or word the lesson focuses on, and turns language learning into a puzzle.
So now let's get to what this app does have. Every language's curriculum is broken into five levels. Each level has four units and each unit can take anywhere from six to ten hours to complete. Right from the first slide, you are required to parrot what the digital teacher says, with no context to go on aside from the images displayed. And in case you're wondering, there's a speech precision setting, so you decide whether the program's a hard-ass or a softy.
All in all, if you're looking to learn a language, Rosetta Stone's got a pretty good track record. And the developers of this app believe the tablet is the perfect device for their software because touch is what makes the experience more personal and easier to remember. Rosetta Stone may be the dominant brand in computer-aided language learning, but needless to say, it does not come cheap. You can download the iPad app for free, but it doesn't do anything without a corresponding Rosetta Stone account. You'll have to purchase the actual Rosetta Stone software, which'll cost you a pretty penny.
If you take learning languages seriously, I would gladly argue that there is no better language-learning app out there. But if you’re looking for something light and fun, the price tag on this app will certainly outweigh your desire for it.
As far as learning languages goes, Rosetta Stone seems to have the process nailed. Instead of learning through simple flash-card style memorization or by-the-book translation, the Rosetta Stone TOTALe Companion app forces you to problem-solve while you learn. For instance, instead of reading a sentence in Spanish, hearing it, and then repeating (parroting), Rosetta Stone gives you a couple of different pictures of whatever phrase or word the lesson focuses on, and turns language learning into a puzzle.
So now let's get to what this app does have. Every language's curriculum is broken into five levels. Each level has four units and each unit can take anywhere from six to ten hours to complete. Right from the first slide, you are required to parrot what the digital teacher says, with no context to go on aside from the images displayed. And in case you're wondering, there's a speech precision setting, so you decide whether the program's a hard-ass or a softy.
All in all, if you're looking to learn a language, Rosetta Stone's got a pretty good track record. And the developers of this app believe the tablet is the perfect device for their software because touch is what makes the experience more personal and easier to remember. Rosetta Stone may be the dominant brand in computer-aided language learning, but needless to say, it does not come cheap. You can download the iPad app for free, but it doesn't do anything without a corresponding Rosetta Stone account. You'll have to purchase the actual Rosetta Stone software, which'll cost you a pretty penny.
Khan Academy a free education for anyone anywhere
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The Khan Academy is an organization on a mission. We're a not-for-profit with the goal of changing education for the better by providing a free world-class education to anyone anywhere.
All of the site's resources are available to anyone. It doesn't matter if you are a student, teacher, home-schooler, principal, adult returning to the classroom after 20 years, or a friendly alien just trying to get a leg up in earthly biology. The Khan Academy's materials and resources are available to you completely free of charge.
Students can make use of our extensive video library, practice exercises, and assessments from any computer with access to the web.
Complete custom self-paced learning tool
A dynamic system for getting help
A custom profile, points, and badges to measure progress
Coaches, parents, and teachers have unprecedented visibility into what their students are learning and doing on the Khan Academy.
Ability to see any student in detail
A real-time class report for all students
Better intelligence for doing targeted interventions
Source: http://www.khanacademy.org
All of the site's resources are available to anyone. It doesn't matter if you are a student, teacher, home-schooler, principal, adult returning to the classroom after 20 years, or a friendly alien just trying to get a leg up in earthly biology. The Khan Academy's materials and resources are available to you completely free of charge.
Students can make use of our extensive video library, practice exercises, and assessments from any computer with access to the web.
Complete custom self-paced learning tool
A dynamic system for getting help
A custom profile, points, and badges to measure progress
Coaches, parents, and teachers have unprecedented visibility into what their students are learning and doing on the Khan Academy.
Ability to see any student in detail
A real-time class report for all students
Better intelligence for doing targeted interventions
Source: http://www.khanacademy.org
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