Blended Learning: Redesigning 1st and 2nd year language courses for French and Spanish

TitleBlended Learning: Redesigning 1st and 2nd year language courses for French and Spanish
Faculty/College/UnitArts
StatusCompleted
Duration2 Year
Initiation04/01/2016
Completion03/31/2018
Funding Details
Year 1: Project YearYear 1
Year 1: Funding Year2015/2016
Year 1: Project TypeSmall TLEF
Year 1: Principal InvestigatorRobert Miller
Year 1: Funded Amount25,903
Year 1: Team Members

Robert Miller, Lecturer, French, Hispanic and Italian Studies, Faculty of Arts
Maria Carbonetti, Course Coordinator, French, Hispanic and Italian Studies, Faculty of Arts
Joel Chauvin, Educational Technology and Computer Support Specialist, French, Hispanic and Italian Studies, Faculty of Arts
Juliet O’Brien, Course Coordinator, French, Hispanic and Italian Studies, Faculty of Arts

Year 1: Summary

We propose to create a collection of content modules for French and Spanish courses that would replace the traditional textbooks presently in use. This project builds upon the experience of creating and deploying successful blended courses for French 122 and French 123 for the past 4 academic years (400 students/year). Our combined experience with flexible learning gives us the confidence that this model can be extended to a larger scale by creating a collection of reusable digital language-learning content materials. These materials are comprised of online course content and activities, online assessments and assignments mainly hosted on UBC’s Learning Management System, Connect. Our proposed changes would impact seven courses (French 101-102-111-112-215, Spanish 206-207) where approximately 1800 students register yearly. The purpose of this initiative is to upgrade both teaching and learning by capitalizing on existing knowledge and language-teaching experience that would enable students and instructors to move to a more user-focused, self-directed approach to teaching and learning.

Year 2: Project YearYear 2
Year 2: Funding Year2016/2017
Year 2: Project TypeSmall TLEF
Year 2: Principal InvestigatorRobert Miller
Year 2: Funded Amount19,025
Year 2: Team Members

Robert Miller, Lecturer, French, Hispanic and Italian Studies, Faculty of Arts
Maria Carbonetti, 12-month Lecturer, French, Hispanic and Italian Studies, Faculty of Arts
Joel Chauvin, Educational Technology and Computer Support Specialist, French, Hispanic and Italian Studies, Faculty of Arts
Juliet O’Brien, 12-month Lecturer, French, Hispanic and Italian Studies, Faculty of Arts

Year 2: Summary

By the end of April 2016, we will have created most of the content modules for French 101, 102, 111, 112 and 215 and all of the content modules for Spanish 206 and 207. These materials are comprised of online course content, activities, assessments and assignments hosted on UBC’s Learning Management System, Connect. Of the seven language courses included in this project, two are deployed (French 215 and Spanish 206), one will be deployed in January 2016 (Spanish 207), and the remaining courses are scheduled for deployment in September 2016 and January 2017. The purpose of this initiative is to upgrade both teaching and learning by capitalizing on existing knowledge and language-teaching experience. The second phase will ensure that all the modules are completed, enhanced in terms of presentation, reviewed, tested and perfected in conjunction with the deployment of the various courses.

Year 2: TLEF ShowcaseYear 2: TLEF Showcase
Project Report2016-TLEF-Final-Report-Miller-WEB.pdf