Mastering Difficult Concepts Using Software to Support Learning: A Case Study in Teaching Mandarin Chinese

Set in the context of a first-semester undergraduate Mandarin Chinese curriculum, the Tones First case provides an illustration of how one might hurdle a formidable learning task using technological tools. The author examines extant curricula for opportunities to introduce complementary technology components. Thorough discussion of the software-activity design process is presented as well as an overview of the resulting application.