Byline: NATASHA LEE.
Online Vocabulary-Building Tool Expands to Wireless Devices
Everyone can use a little vocabulary-building from time to time. At least, John Carrien, CEO and founder of Colleges.com, thinks so.
In April, Colleges.com, a locally based Internet site dedicated to providing college students and alumni with educational information, unveiled its newest wireless e-learning tool, the ‘Word of the Day’ application.
In partnership with AT&T Wireless, a national digital wireless network, Colleges.com will offer Digital PocketNet subscribers free access to the wireless application aimed at improving vocabulary and word usage.
Digital PocketNet is a cellular phone designed with a mini-browser that gives subscribers free access to log onto and view displayed text from 120 different Web sites.
As part of its basic service, PocketNet subscribers will be able to view the Web site and receive a new word daily.
“Colleges.com has filled in the gap we had for entertainment tools and applications” that the wireless service was lacking, said Scott Edison, manager of business development for AT&T. Colleges.com also offers a ‘Joke of the Day’ and electronic games to Digital PocketNet subscribers.
* Multiple Word Definitions Provided
Each Word of the Day word includes multiple definitions and a description of its origin.
Vocabulary words are selected by Colleges.com editors, and each provides past and present day examples to explain how the words can be utilized.
Examples of the word in context are taken from television new shows, magazines, speeches and newspapers.
“You’re not just given a word in a dictionary, but you’re given the context of how the word is used in present day … it’s teaching you how to put it (the word) in current day context,” he said.
This is what makes ‘Word of the Day’ unique, Carrieri said.
* ‘Word of the Day’ Sample:
Rapprochement (RAH-prosh-mahn’ or RAH-prosh-mahnt’) n
Origin: From the French “rapprocher,” meaning, “to bring together.”
* Harmony and friendly relations between nations.
“The growing rapprochement between Russia and China is more than a cause for concern — it is a cry for responsible American leadership and sound American policy.”
– Former Sen. Bob Dole, Sept. 5, 1996
‘Word of the Day’ was originally launched in August 1999 as a free service to Colleges.com members. A new vocabulary word was e-mailed to subscribers daily, Monday through Friday.
Carrieri said the service was so well-received they decided to broaden its spectrum.
“It was a popular free service on the Web site already … so it made sense to add it to a wireless offering as well,” Carrieri said.
The e-learning application is not just used strictly by students and alumni.
* Parents Use Service Too
Carrieri has received a lot of positive feedback from parents who also receive the service.
‘Word of the Day’ is geared towards lifelong learners, he said.
“We want them (words) to be useful so that they can be used, and not too obscure that they can’t use it,” Carrieri said.
Vocabulary building tools are not new inventions and have mostly come in the form of ‘word a day’ calendars or books.
But, now AT&T Digital PocketNet subscribers can view a new word while driving or standing in line at the grocery store.
“People seem to like things that save them time and also waste time,” Edison said. “Now, in between things going on, people can take two minutes and check things out.”
AT&T Wireless has been working with the Web site for the past nine months and officially set up the ‘Word of the Day’ in March.
Edison said the wireless company has fixture plans to continue working with Colleges.com to develop more e-learning applications.
Upcoming e-learning services include tools for test preparation, Carrieri said.
COPYRIGHT 2001 CBJ, L.P.
COPYRIGHT 2006 Gale Group