Evaluation of Multimedia Distribution Systems in the field of foreign language acquisition

This paper makes an evaluation of the teaching models incorporating Multimedia Distribution System (MDS) into foreign language teaching in Japan. Our MDS consists of three types; shared courseware, browser-based podcasting, and mobile-based podcasting. These systems are utilized for listening and shadowing activities in the class. The results of students' questionnaire research revealed that the students feel that there is a statistic significance between shared courseware and browser-based podcasting. Mobile-based podcasting resembles browser-based podcasting in that factors like “easy to operate” and “friendliness” are abstracted through factor analysis, but these factors are more independent of each other in mobile-based podcasting. This implies that mobiles will have a great possibility to change learning environment because they will play an important role in blended-learning in a traditional classroom setting in the future.