Distance Learning Course Interaction Plan Welcome to Spanish 101!
This online course will have two required on-site (face to face) meetings as follows:
1) Orientation: This meeting will take place the first day of classes. Look for a letter from the DL office announcing the exact date and time. It will also be posted on the homepage. Online Spanish is different from other online courses in that all assignments and exams are submitted through an online book. During this onsite meeting, you will learn how to find assignments and their due dates, record your activities, see your results, find a partner and take exams. If at all possible, buy your book BEFORE our orientation (see info below under Textbook.) This onsite meeting is essential in your success on this course!
2) Final Exam
There will be an on site final exam at the end of the semester. The date will be announced on the syllabus. The exam will cover contents studied in the course and will include vocabulary, grammar, reading and writing. If you are at a remote location, you can make alternate arrangements to find a proctor for the final exam. Be sure to contact the instructor at least three weeks prior to the final.
Please read below to find out whether taking this course on-line is a good idea for you.
Course Number and Title:
Spanish 101 - Elementary Spanish I
Instructor:
Mónica Torregrosa
Telephone Number:
552-2363
Email Address:
mtorregrosa@hcc.mass.edu
Online Hours:
I will log in daily to answer questions and review assignments.
Communication Policy:
You can expect a reply to an e-mail within 24 hours.
Course Description: Elementary Spanish will introduce you to the Spanish language and culture. The course will include oral practice of dialogues, vocabulary and basic grammar to help you communicate in Spanish at a basic level. Course content will be given in Spanish whenever possible to help you become immersed in the language. You will be asked to speak Spanish to your professor and other students through partner activities and to actively listen to videos, and tutorials. If you have never studied Spanish before or if you have had one or two years of high school Spanish, this course is perfect for you. If you have three or more years of Spanish then you may not take Spanish 101 for credit.
Required Textbook & Materials:
EN LINEA + VISTAS Third Edition Textbook
(eDelivery)
You may purchase this set at the HCC bookstore or go on line to www.vhldirect.com
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
1) A working computer (PC or Mac) with an updated browser (see HCC Distance Learning page for technical requirements for WebCT)
2) Please note you will need an external microphone to record oral assignments. A mic can be purchased at any computer supplies store for under $20.00 and it’s easy to install.
Course Objectives: By the end of the semester, you will be able to perform the following tasks in Spanish:
You will also be able to understand native speakers when they talk about the topics listed above. You will be able to write paragraphs using proper grammar to describe these topics and to read short magazine articles that relate to familiar topics. Besides having a basic understanding of Spanish grammar and vocabulary, you will be able to identify several countries in the Spanish-speaking world, describe basic facts about their geography and cultural landmarks and recognize some of their cultural activities and famous people.
Methods of Instruction: Online – Distance Learning
The key to success in a foreign language course is practice, practice and more practice. Students will be required to complete all homework assignments and book activities by a certain deadline, clearly indicated in the syllabus. Assignments will be due three times a week. You will develop speaking, listening, reading and writing skills the required activities and optional materials made available on-line. The more you immerse yourself in the Spanish language, the more you will learn.
This course may include, but not be restricted to, the following interactions:
1. in person meetings
YES, two: see above
2. telephone interactions
YES
3. electronic interactions (email, internet...)
Evaluation of Student's Progress: You will be evaluated weekly based on the following categories:
1. Assignments: 40 %
You will need to submit assignments three times a week. A list of assignments and due dates will be found in your online textbook, En línea. The syllabus will also have a general outline.
En línea assignments will be of two kinds:
A. Credit/Non-Credit:
These are computer graded assignments you can do as many times as you wish. You will receive credit for doing them, regardless of your scores. No credit will be awarded if you don’t submit a response. Credit/Non-credit assignments will include written and oral activities.
B. Graded assignments:
Some of these assignments will be only computer graded, while others may require grading and feedback from me. Some assignments contain both computer graded and instructor graded activities. Be sure to check my feedback to see your progress. Graded assignments will include written and oral activities.
2. Tests (Pruebas): 20%
We will have four Pruebas, one per lesson. All Pruebas are cumulative. No make-ups will be given for them, but your lowest score will be dropped at the end of the semester.
3. Brief writing assignments/postings on discussion boards: 20%
Weekly postings will be assigned in Spanish. The topics will correlate with the contents of the course. You will post answers to simple questions in Spanish and respond to other students' postings. You will be graded for the frequency and quality of your postings.
4. Final exam (ON SITE) : 20%
There will be a cumulative final exam ON SITE. The exam will evaluate your skills in reading, writing, vocabulary and grammar. A study guide will be distributed two weeks before the exam. Check the syllabus for exact date.
