Rosetta Stone - ?s about specific features, versions, time,

[mfwrocks]

Crystal... and anyone else who has already used version 3...
Adding to the RS question...
What are the improvements to version 3 that you enjoy?

Here is a limited list of some of those improvements from v. 3 to v. 2 that we have enjoyed.

*In version 3, we find it more interactive than version 2. not sure how to explain that right now. V2 was interactive, so it's a relative term to compare it. The entire program was revamped.

*quicker to get to examples where you have to put a phrase together from samples. Example would be box 1 would show and say The boy is eating. Box 2: The girl is drinking. Box 3: The girl is eating. Then for box 4: you are shown The boy is drinking, but you build it without a direct model (the boy is drinking). So, you have all of the ingredients to build it.

*helps seems easier to use overall.

*we love the Dashboard feature instead of the old Student Management System. Very user friendly.

*the different modes of learning (speaking, seeing, writing…) are integrated in the sequence of lessons instead of accessing them manually. I’m too tired to explain that better and hope someone else can chime in.

*in version 3 – a great feature called Milestones. V 2 didn’t have them. Milestones are every 5th unit. They require you to come up with the dialogues that makes sense for the situation. Helps and hints are there.

Maybe we’ll write more later after we finish unpacking from our trip.

John, Crystal and Kate

Postby mfwrocks » Sat Dec 26, 2009 10:21 pm
however....
There are a few languages that haven't been changed to version 3 yet. those are:
Danish, Indonesian, Pashto, Swahili, Thai, Welsh.

So in the small case you doing one of those -- you'll want the current version (2) of that language and it will be ok. For example, this past fall when MFW was still able to sell RS, I was able to order Swahili for a missionary family in my church. That was version 2 b/c there isn't a version 3 of Swahili. and that family is doing fine with just version 2 level 1 -- fitting their needs to get on the mission field very soon.

Hope that helps a bit.
-crystal

[cbollin]

Do we want the homeschool version of RS? My kids just rec'd RS as a gift, but is not the hs version. Wondering if I should call and try to exchange it. Do I want the hs version? pros? cons?
thanks.

You could try and exchange. Maybe RS would do that. or would have an option to give you a "homeschool activation code". I know another forum I visit someone mentioned they bought the Personal edition, and RS customer service worked it out for them.

Advantages that I know of in hs edition:
1. I don't think the Personal edition has a Dashboard feature to allow up to 5 users
2. I don't think Personal edition has the dashboard feature for record keeping. (That might not be important depending how you are using the program in terms of how you give or don't give grades)

hmmm... does the personal edition have the "curriculum paths?" I don't know.

and another reason, although this sounds odd in writing... having the homeschool edition helps RS to know the size of their HS market and can help them help us kind of thing.

-crystal

[cbollin]

There is a way to practice alphabet in RS too. Oldest in Russian, middle gal in Chinese....

After you login,
look on the icons on the top right side of the screen.
click on the ?
select alphabet

then you can see and practice those symbols for a while.

and for Chinese --the alphabet prompts in RS take us to a way to practice the sounds with the pinyin. (those taking Chinese might half understand what I mean) So it practices though the tones and syllables.

But what amazed me too was watching my middle daughter begin to read the picture symbols in Simplified Chinese as well as seeing the pinyin version.

-crystal

[cbollin]

On a few threads recently, we've been talking about Rosetta Stone.

Just wanted to mention out loud, RS does have a 180 day return policy (keep receipt, you pay shipping on it kinda of thing). and MFW is an authorized retailer who honors that.
http://www.rosettastone.com/global/return

-crystal

[gratitude]

Just keep repeating my dh's mantra, "It's still cheaper than private school." He says this when I am worrying about paying for curriculum, generally I hear this a lot between May and August.

Thank you! This has been my mantra too, but I think I have been forgetting it lately and starting to think of curriculum as expensive. Thank you for reminding me. I guess I stopped thinking about private school as an option. I did calculate early on that 4 kids in private could easily be $15K - $20K a year. I don't think I could spend that much on home schooling if I tried, even with RS.

[sojen]

I recently was talking about Rosetta Stone (it's on my drool list right now) and the other mom mentioned how she never bought it because it's so expensive. Then she mentioned she put her son in a once a week homeschool class for Spanish. Cost: $300 a year for one child. I still can't figure out how that is cheaper , especially considering if you have more than one child using it. I'm so hoping we can get it at some point. Putting my nickels in a jar.....

[cbollin]

We have Rosetta Stone Latin America Spanish version 2 the homeschool edition with the student management cd. The MFW guide talks about having audio companion cds and I don't appear to have those. I also must be computer challenged because I am having a hard time navigating RS in the student management, which is version 3.2. Is there a difference between my version and version 3? Am I completely clueless? Are other non-computer people able to set this up easily. I cringe as I say this, but do we need version 3?

Christy,

the version number on the Student Management Systems has nothing to do with the version of the program. In other words there were lots of releases of that SMS. I, uh, uh,... never liked the SMS honestly.

Version 2 of the RS program did not come with the audio companion CD's.
I don't know how well they blend together. it will not be identical in script, which could be ok and fine and dandy.

So, do you want Version 3 of RS? uhmmm... I know I was super duper hesitant to get version 3 of Russian when it came out in 2008 because I had version 2. But I had money. and felt like ok.... ok ok ok ok. so. I got version 3 with audio disks too. oooooohhhhhh it was optional in those days.. no longer optional.

so, after getting version 3 and seeing the improved features, I was wow'ed! that frustrating to me SMS was gone (so, no you're not the only one who struggled with it), and replaced with an automatic dashboard tracking system. love that! love it love love love it!

the microphone exercises were blended into the program. You have option to turn it off or make it easier or skip. in version 2, we have to actually go to the microphone exercises as a separate thing. Now, they are built into the normal sequence.

then, the cool thing that made me say "ok.. I like version 3 and wasn't wasting money" was the Milestone exercises. These are so cool. You do 4 full units of work, then the 5th unit will pull many things together to help simulate realistic conversational situations. You talk with the "computer display" in a narrative story using what you've been learning. And it's done in context where you can get clues. but imagine you're in a place as a tourist or whatever and come upon people who start saying hello to you and you just want to have small talk. Well, that is what is practiced. Sometimes, it is answering with correct answer, and sometimes the computer is waiting for you to ask a question based on what would be natural to say next.

Should you get version 3 now or wait or never? I don't know......

-crystal

[gratitude]

They have not been doing the speech recognition component as it was frustrating for all involved.

Did you know that with level 1 you can change the settings of speech recognition to different levels of easy - hard? I know I changed ours, after the first try, to the easiest level; it made a big difference. My ds is able to speak it correctly enough on the easiest level to enjoy it and learn. It doesn't require too much to get the answer correct on the easy speech level. On the level it came with (medium or hard?) I think it may have left him frustrated.

Speech recognition has surprisingly become our favorite part of the program, and it easily could have been the most frustrating if I hadn't changed the setting.

[cbollin]

So, we are going to take the plunge and learn Russian since that's a language we'll need to know in Latvia as well. My question is, does anyone know how many computers we are allowed to load this on once we buy it? We want to start it when we get it but we know that sometime in the next year,we will be upgrading to a Mac so we want to make sure that we can put it on at least 2 computers.

Thanks,
Brooke

I think it is 2.

But if it is the case that you are getting a new system, or have a crash or whatever, contact Rosetta Stone customer service for further help. Keep all original receipts and your activation codes handy when you call. I know we had to do a reinstall after a major crash and things worked out.

-crystal

[Julie in MN]

We got Rosetta from MFW this fall and I was having a technical conversation with their online help folks (which is included even when you purchase from MFW). Maybe the transcript from some of that will be helpful. I was really asking about all possible scenarios -- overkill, I know

JH: My first question is whether we can install this on my computer as well as his?

AK.: Are you using Version 3 program ?

JH: Yes, homeschool version 3

AK.: According to End Users License Agreement, you can have Version3 program activated on maximum two computers.

JH: Okay. If I put it on my computer in order to test out the installation, will that cause a problem with putting it on his & doing the homeschool records etc?

AK.: As you are using the CD Version of the program, there won't be any effect to the progress from one computer to another.

JH: Okay, and that reminds me -- if we should replace a computer, then all won't be lost?

AK.: Yes, in that case, you need to save the progress file of the program. So that we can assist you in transferring the progress from one computer to another in the program.

[BHelf]

Okay, I ordered it today. Boy, that was one of those times that I clicked "add to cart" and had a mini-anxiety attack! Hope my whole family learns Russian! After all we have plenty of people to practice with who are native speakers!

Brooke

[Julie in MN]

Oh, Brooke, I know the anxiety on that one! But I'll reassure you that my son is working very hard with RS and is happy I bought it for him

I was right there with you last fall. Poor Lucy patiently answered every detailed question I asked her. We chatty ones on the board might look totally confident, but we have anxiety attacks, too. That's probably why we like to share -- so the next guy won't suffer with worry like we did

[cbollin]

Oh, Brooke, I know the anxiety on that one! But I'll reassure you that my son is working very hard with RS and is happy I bought it for him

I was right there with you last fall. Poor Lucy patiently answered every detailed question I asked her. We chatty ones on the board might look totally confident, but we have anxiety attacks, too. That's probably why we like to share -- so the next guy won't suffer with worry like we did

We ordered RS Spanish a week ago and so far, my husband is loving it! It has held his attention too. working well. shipped fast. was glad we bought it. and my oldest has enjoyed RS russian for years.

and yeah, several of them at mfw have held my hand through anxiety attacks too.
I think Julie's right.

-crystal

[BHelf]

Well all of us plan to use it so hopefully it'll be money well spent.

[hsmom3]

I have a friend who offered to let us borrow her Rosetta Stone Level 1. I'm not sure how it works so I was wondering if it's a one-time use per your own family or would I be able to load it on my computer as well?

I found the answer to my question on the Rosetta Stone website-- it can be loaded on up to two computers--in case anyone else needed to know. So I'll definitely be buying my own copy, which I had planned to do before she offered.

Blessings,
Susan

[TriciaMR]

I have a question along this line... once a family is through with Rosetta stone, can they pass it along to another family for that family to use? Not to borrow, but to keep?

Thanks.

You can read the EULA (End User License Agreement) on Rosetta Stone's website. I highly recommend you do that before purchasing. What you may or may not do is pretty clear in the EULA.

-Trish

I found the information I was looking for on RS's website, and that answered my questions. Thanks!

[cbollin]

Help a momma out? I feel like I'm handling a new fragile toy and I'm about to break it. LOL Select a Course...

What do I want here? DD just turned 9 and is finishing the 3rd grade. She reads, writes, and types very well. DS just turned 6 and is not reading/typing yet.

go to this part of MFW website
http://www.mfwbooks.com/inc/pdf/RS_sample.pdf

scroll to page 5
tilt head sideways, or print the page.. (LOL) or use a button to turn it
check out MFW's recommendations for curriculum path based on age - not ability in English

-crystal

[gratitude]

It did help. The funny thing is I had read through that link a few times but it just wasn't clicking that day. I still haven't had time to figure out how to set up the microphone, though. And I haven't had time to call for help before 5 PM. Ack! Everytime I plug the microphone usb in, the starts beeping LOUDLY. And it won't go through the setup process. I'm on an iMac. Someday... lol My and software installation - yeah. like oil and water.

Hi!
I haven't seen the MFW link page (I thought the tilt head sideways was funny though).

I am a little confused exactly where you are at. We have an iMac too. The head-set should not be beeping loudly. O.K. here it goes (forgive me if this is way too much detail):

1. Insert the Language-Learning Software CD-ROM
2. Click on the picture of a box
3. Keep pushing Continue to install the program on your Mac.
4. Once it is installed go to your hard-drive and find Rosetta Stone (blue shape like the rosetta stone in the British Museum in London, England).
5. Click on it to open the program.
6. In the far right hand top corner is 5 symbols. The one to the right of the ? is the one you want (it looks like a bar graph).
7. Push on that symbol. Pick set preferences.
8. Under audio settings choose built-in microphone - microphone. Also on this screen you can choose speaker volume, male or female voice type, under 14 voice, and speech precision level (I set ours to easy).
9. When you are done with the setting choices push apply changes at the bottom.
10. Then you should be ready to go. Plug your head-set into the USB port. It should work, if it doesn't it could be a faulty head-set that I am sure the company would replace.

I hope this helps!

[Julie in MN]

I just installed Rosetta Stone Spanish on my computer yesterday and my children did the first lesson in the MFW lesson plans. Day 2 says to listen to Audio Companion Disk 1 but I don't see these CDs. I have 1 CD that says Audio Companion MP3 but according to the box there should be 4 CDs.

Thanks!
Susan

Susan,
My ds uses his on his own, but ours actually looks like it has 4 CDs per year (French).

However, ours says they are for a CD player *or* MP3. I'm wondering if Rosetta went to straight MP3 now? That takes up a lot fewer discs. I wonder if you try loading the MP3 on your itunes or whatever, if you'll see a breakdown of 3 different "CDs" on the one disc?

The other thing is that Rosetta provides online and phone help, even if you purchased from MFW. I've done the online person, where you chat by typing. They were very helpful.

Let us know what you find out (or don't find out!).
Julie

[hsmom3]

Julie,

I did go ahead & load the CD and it does look like they are using 1 disk now. You can load on your MP3 or just listen on the computer. It looks like all 5 levels are on there. Anyway, thanks for responding.

Blessings,
Susan

[cbollin]

I'm looking for feedback on your experience with how much time per day your kids do Rosetta Stone. The MFW TM for most years lists to do Foreign Language 4 times a week, and in the "How Do I Fit Everything In" schedule, allows only 15 minutes. I've always given my kids more time to do it, but we are always behind and dragging in our schedule. I'm looking to pare back the amount of time we spend on things, encourage the kids to move more quickly between subjects, and to focus and complete each bit of work quickly and neatly. (Our biggest problem is distractedness and dawdling, not having more work to do than can get done).

So I'd like to hear from you. Have any of you scheduled only 15 min. for language?

total side note....The MFW plans are geared for high school credit, so those aren't 15 minutes a day.

In the years prior to high school credit, we typically would do RS for 15-20 minutes except for "core lessons" which were longer. For some reason, no matter how much I told them they could stop in the middle of that core section, they wanted to finish.

Other than that core thing, we found it easy to stop after a little bit. So if a lesson box was done, we stopped. or got to 15 minutes and stopped. Usually, middle gal would work on it for 15 minutes while I worked with youngest. or it was done in afternoons before free play time on computer. It was treated as elective, fun instead of x days a week style of it. The guide in the TM is on the Charlotte Mason side of time boxes for foreign language.

Curriculum path options might make a difference in it too I had my younger children on speaking/listening paths. And in fact, my dh did just the speaking/listening path in Spanish 1 for a few months before a short term missions trip. He tended to do the program in longer spurts, fewer times a week, then kicked it up a lot in the 3 weeks before the trip. But at first, he was not doing it a long time.

But for kids, we kept the RS to times that were after seatwork with pencil/paper and all of that. Then, there's my youngest... she'll play with it again and again on the same lesson.

-crystal

[gratitude]

I have the same answer as Crystal. It has typically been 15 - 20 minutes at a time, but then my oldest likes to finish the Core so he can take longer with it. It too is a fun elective in our house. It is something he enjoys doing.

We have lacked consistency so far though. Now that we have started ADV and it is on the grid I am planning on doing a more consistent plan with it. We are only doing 2 days a week this summer though so the four days a week won't start until fall. At that point I would like to do it with the grid 15 minutes four days a week. He may choose to go longer.

I have to say though he has learned some Spanish even in our pre-ADV, for fun when he wants to, approach so far. It is a great program.

A side benefit has been that the other 3 younger children have picked up some too just from listening to him do his lessons.

[cbollin]

Sorry, I'm a brand new homeschooler. So foreign language is also required for 3rd grade? Not for Kindergarten, right?

Welcome along!

MFW recommends foreign language as part of regular school day starting around 2nd or 3rd grade. You don't have to include it then if you aren't ready. I've not seen MFW recommend Rosetta Stone younger than 2nd grade.

from my personal experience, all of my children have enjoyed gentle exposure to other languages as young as their preschool years from as simple as story time at library, or Dora the Explorer, or just playing with older sisters' Rosetta Stone, or just from fun ways with changing the audio on a favorite DVD. But as a regular steady school time subject,, nah...

-crystal

[TriciaMR]

We set a timer. I use Rosetta Stone for "independent work" while I work with my others. Mine will stop in the middle of a lesson, or even a core.

-Trish

[HeyChelle]

It seems to be about 15 minutes per day here, too. My 9 year old LOVES it.