The University of Tennessee

Redesign of Spanish Transition3/15/01

San Antonio, TX

Background

Pre-Implementation

Implementation Challenges

Future Plans

Background

Purpose of Spanish Transition– To meet the needs of

students who have taken Spanish but do not place into the second year program

Traditional Spanish Transition courses– Approximately 60% of

freshmen every year place in Spanish 150

Getting started

Background

Redesign of Spanish Transition– The 45 contact hours have

been reduced to 30 allowing for one-third more sections with reduced labor cost of $16.00 per student (down from $48.00 to $32.00. Total cost savings will be $32,932.00 annually and we will be able to serve 513 more students.

Getting started

Pre-Implementation

Placement of material online using Blackboard’s CourseInfo in fall 2000

Development of research design

Investigation of appropriate assessment measures

Thinking it through

Implementation Challenges

Adjustment in formats Time constraints Student and Instructor

frustrations Student and Instructor

Positive feedback Status of data analysis

Off and running

Student and Instructor Frustrations

Students– Navigation– Content– Time– Quiz formats– Pedagogy– Answer submission

Instructors– Data collection– Gradebook– System problems

• Audio• Mismatched

instructions• Unclear instructions• Grades

Positive Feedback

Instructor feedback– Independent learning– Grading– Enhanced oral ability– Enhanced

communication with students

Student feedback– Availability– Organization– Immediate feedback– Access to A/V files

Spanish Transition Midterm Averages

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4 Group 5

ExperimentalComparison3-D Column 3

Status of Data Analysis

All pre-tests (except speak tests) scored

Language and computer anxiety questionnaire administered and currently being analyzed

Future Plans

Extending communication external to course site

Administration and scoring of post-tests

Data analysis

Passed the midway marker!

Adjustments in formats

Reformatting – Graded for completion vs graded

for accuracy– Feedback problems (?)– “dos” vs “2”– Submit before ready