"Using Digital Resources to Promote Minority Language Learning in Chile - Mapudungún and Aymara, April 23, 2007"
In this presentation, Rodrigo de Valle, Director of Continuing and Graduate Studies at the Catholic University of Temuco, Chile, presented his work with digital language learning programs in Chile. He shared two educational software programs he helped develop, both of which were created to promote awareness of indigenous communities in Chile.
The first, “Jaqaru: Juguemos a Aprender Aymara”, was designed to support elementary school students that come from Aymara communities. The software connects students from the city to the pueblos in the mountains through interactive games that teach language as well as culture. Rodrigo de Valle explained that the object of this software is not to teach language but to instigate an appreciation for the Aymara language and culture among students of diverse ethnic backgrounds.
The second software he presented was, “Pueblos Indígenas”, which was developed to educate K-12 Chilean students about the indigenous cultures within their country. This software program brings the student to a library where s/he can chose among the references, each of which focus on a different indigenous culture. Within the references there are interactive games students can play while learning about language and culture. Both of these CD-ROMs were distributed to schools throughout Chile.
Currently the Catholic University of Temuco is working on several areas of research related to intercultural and interethnic relationships, especially focused on the Mapuche people and their language Mapudungún.
