This 45-minute presentation discusses the creation of an online Spanish learning community at the University of Central Oklahoma to provide tutoring and additional learning resources for online Spanish students. It describes the iterative process of developing the community over three versions, with each iteration addressing challenges from the previous version. The current version utilizes an LMS course site, faculty tutors and designers, online meeting rooms, and a wide variety of resources. Analytics show increased student usage and satisfaction with the predictability and quality of tutoring and resources available anytime through the online community.

1. D2L
Worldwide
Connection
Presentation 3 of 12:
Leveraging D2L to Create an
Online Learning Community to Empower
and Connect Learners and Faculty
45 minute presentation

2. D2L
Worldwide
Connection
Professor of Spanish
Institute for Learning Environment
Design
University of Central Oklahoma
• 32 years teaching in higher
education
• 12+ years, online design & teaching
Stacy Southerland, PhD

3. D2L
Worldwide
Connection
The Challenge
• The university had long offered free campus-based foreign
language tutoring
• When it offered its first online foreign language course—1
section of Elementary Spanish--it did not have an online
learning support service the equivalent of the one it offered
campus students.
© 2020, University of Central Oklahoma, Institute for Learning Environment Design

4. D2L
Worldwide
Connection
The Challenge
The demand for and success of online Elementary Spanish I
and II--core courses--brought rapid growth. Online sections
comprise:
• approximately 33% of fall and spring sections
• approximately 78% of summer sections
This growth increased urgency to provide free learning support
for online Spanish learners.
© 2020, University of Central Oklahoma, Institute for Learning Environment Design

5. D2L
Worldwide
Connection
Advantages
Students
• Anytime, anywhere learning support
• Increased frequency of live tutoring
• Campus-wide community of learners
• Increased engagement with content,
peer, and faculty engagement
• Diverse instructional perspectives
• Centralized resource site
• Assignment-specific resources
• Informal learning resources
Faculty
• Efficiency—one site for online office
hours for all sections taught
• Shared assistance supporting
learners in all sections
• Shared workload for resource
development
• Productivity—more students served
during office hours
• Accuracy of information delivered to
students
© 2020, University of Central Oklahoma, Institute for Learning Environment Design

6. D2L
Worldwide
Connection
© 2020, University of Central Oklahoma, Institute for Learning Environment Design
Lessons Learned
1st Iteration
• Messenger and email
• Student tutor—stipend
• 2-3 times per week
• Faculty supervisor—no stipend
• Online students only (2 sections,
50 students)
• Tutoring only—No discussion
forums or study resources
Challenges
• Marketing
• Low student use
• Availability—limited to one
tutor’s availability
• Tutor turnover/training (i.e.,
graduation)

7. D2L
Worldwide
Connection
Lessons Learned
2nd Iteration
• LMS Course Site
• Student tutor—stipend
• 2-3 times per week
• Faculty designer, content
developer and curator,
tutoring assistance—no
stipend
• All UCO Elementary
Spanish I and II students—
campus, online self-paced
• Chat rooms
• Internet-based study
resources
Improvements
• Marketing—email, instructors
• Student familiarity with
platform
• 24/7 Discussion forums and
resource availability
• Increased student use of live
tutoring (discussion forums,
some chat room)
• Centralized resource location
• Student satisfaction with
resources and live tutoring
• Supports and encourages
Informal learning
© 2020, University of Central Oklahoma, Institute for Learning Environment Design
Challenges
• Tutor knowledge of:
o Text/Curriculum
o Course assignments
o Course design and
navigation
o LMS tools
• Availability of live
tutoring—one tutor’s
availability, sometimes
unreliable
• Tutor turnover/training
• Faculty designer/supervisor
time commitment

8. D2L
Worldwide
Connection
© 2020, University of Central Oklahoma, Institute for Learning Environment Design
Lessons Learned
3rd Iteration
• LMS Course Site
• Faculty site designer,
content curator,
developer, tutor—
stipend
• Faculty volunteer tutors
• Evenings Sun-Thurs
• Online rooms
• Discussion forums
• Assignment specific
resources
• More Internet resources
• Faculty-created
resources
Challenges
• Faculty resistance to
online rooms
Improvements
• Significant increase of student
use of live tutoring and resources
• Predictable availability
• Tutor Knowledge
o Language
o Text/Curriculum
o Course assignments
o Course design and
navigation
o LMS tools
• Shared development of
instructional supplemental
resources
• No tutor turnover

9. D2L
Worldwide
Connection
© 2020, University of Central Oklahoma, Institute for Learning Environment Design
Lessons Learned
Current Iteration
• All features of previous site
• Zoom meeting rooms
Benefits
• Increased personal element
• Increased engagement

10. © 2020, University of Central Oklahoma, Institute for Learning Environment Design
Logistics
Collaboration
• Department: approval, faculty designer stipend
• Lead Faculty Member: Concept, design, curate content,
manage/maintain/grow site, recruit tutors/volunteers
• Center for eLearning: Ideation, unique homepage
design, graphics
• IT: Create CRNs and course shell
• Enrollment Management: Enroll students

11. D2L
Worldwide
Connection
Promotional Strategies
© 2020, University of Central Oklahoma, Institute for Learning Environment Design
Promotional Strategies
• Email enrollment notification to students
• Timely push notifications of content relevant to current
course topics
• Offer live tutor sessions at popular times
• Discussions related to site usage: e.g., work with tutors and
post about how the session helped advance your Spanish
language skills, visit the site and report back on a resource
that you liked and would recommend to others
• Twitter posts

12. D2L
Worldwide
Connection
© 2018, University of Central Oklahoma, Institute for Learning Environment Design© 2020, University of Central Oklahoma, Institute for Learning Environment Design
Learning Community Tour

13. Accessing the Learning Community
© 2020, University of Central Oklahoma, Institute for Learning Environment Design

14. D2L
Worldwide
Connection
© 2020, University of Central Oklahoma, Institute for Learning Environment Design
Learning Community Home

15. D2L
Worldwide
Connection
© 2020, University of Central Oklahoma, Institute for Learning Environment Design
Learning Community
Home

16. D2L
Worldwide
Connection
Table of Contents
© 2020, University of Central Oklahoma, Institute for Learning Environment Design

17. © 2020, University of Central Oklahoma, Institute for Learning Environment Design
Meet the Faculty

18. © 2020, University of Central Oklahoma, Institute for Learning Environment Design
Grammar Tip Sheets
Most Frequently Used Resource

19. © 2020, University of Central Oklahoma, Institute for Learning Environment Design
UCO Faculty Video
Grammar Tutorials

20. D2L
Worldwide
Connection
Discussion Forums
© 2020, University of Central Oklahoma, Institute for Learning Environment Design

21. D2L
Worldwide
Connection
© 2020, University of Central Oklahoma, Institute for Learning Environment Design
Internet
Spanish Language
Learning Resources

22. General Study Tips Informal Language
Skill Development
Assignment-Specific Research Resources
© 2020, University of Central Oklahoma, Institute for Learning Environment Design

23. D2L
Worldwide
Connection
© 2020, University of Central Oklahoma, Institute for Learning Environment Design
Popular Culture
and Culture

24. D2L
Worldwide
Connection
© 2020, University of Central Oklahoma, Institute for Learning Environment Design
Course-Specific
Study Guides

25. D2L
Worldwide
Connection
© 2020, University of Central Oklahoma, Institute for Learning Environment Design
Example LEMTM: Modern Language Oral Exam Preparation

26. D2L
Worldwide
Connection
Student Satisfaction Measures
© 2020, University of Central Oklahoma, Institute for Learning Environment Design
Student Satisfaction Measures
• Qualtrics use and satisfaction surveys
• Students comments in section-specific discussions
• D2L analytics and tracking reports

27. D2L
Worldwide
Connection
© 2020, University of Central Oklahoma, Institute for Learning Environment Design
Student Satisfaction
“Wow! The Spanish Learning Community is incredible. Everywhere I looked, I found helpful
tips and practice. Spanish interests me, because it challenges me to look beyond myself. Instead
of just assuming everyone should speak English, I want to immerse myself in Spanish culture
and discover the value in it. This resource, with its multitude of content, helps this
challenging process. While all the options are important, I found myself most drawn to the
news, radio, and television pieces. These three things are so pivotal in my own life (e.g. I
experience them daily), so it is fascinating to compare and contrast how I perceive it in a
different language. For example, I read through the CNN website in Spanish and then English this
afternoon. This information is the same, but is communicated differently. This also helps me
practice my vocabulary for every day life, as the news is directly related to the world I am living
in. I am staying aware, while also building momentum as a Spanish-speaker. In addition to this,
too, there are stations directly related to Spanish-speaking (as their 1st language) communities.
For instance, "Live 365 Latin", which focuses on heritage, etc. This pushes me to consider the
importance of diversity and respecting other cultures. These topics prompt me to wonder, "What
does _____ mean? Why is this meaningful? What is the purpose? How does it differ and compare
to my own traditions?“
Overall, the Spanish Learning Community is remarkable and I will continue to reference it!”
--Kelley A.

28. D2L
Worldwide
Connection
© 2020, University of Central Oklahoma, Institute for Learning Environment Design
Student Satisfaction
“The Online Spanish Learning Community is amazing. I will most definitely be
utilizing this resource going forward. Learning a new language is extremely difficult.
One of the things that I thought was fun and helpful was the music game! I have a
hard time retaining information sometimes so when its turned into a game and then
into music form, it helps tremendously! Seeing the words has always been easier
than trying to just listen and understand the words. ...it is listed under content
labeled as Music Game to Develop Listening Comprehension: Lyrics Gaps. Give it a
try!” --Taylor W.
“...it was nice to have a good review of the content that we have already studied
previously. Most of the words have pictures associated with that word, so it helps
with recognition. I am going to use the Spanish Learning Community more often due
to there being so many more resources on that website.” --Jared A.

29. D2L
Worldwide
Connection
© 2020, University of Central Oklahoma, Institute for Learning Environment Design
Student Satisfaction
“The Spanish Learning Community is an amazing resource for tips and tricks
when it comes to studying for this class. ...there is a plethora of information,
including Spanish grammar tips, vocabulary, and even games to help you
absorb all of this information.”--Tasha S.
“...[the Destinos] video series website was really helpful and insightful. I had
not heard about it until I started navigating through the Online Spanish
Community. I also like the idea that it has closed captioning in the videos.
...it makes it easier to associate words with what you are hearing and
connects your brain to what you are hearing quicker. I really enjoyed
coming across this link and I hope that it does the same for you!” --Blake J.

30. D2L
Worldwide
Connection
© 2020, University of Central Oklahoma, Institute for Learning Environment Design
D2L Analytics and Tracking Reports

31. D2L
Worldwide
Connection
Notification-Driven Usage Increase
© 2018, University of Central Oklahoma, Institute for Learning Environment Design© 2020, University of Central Oklahoma, Institute for Learning Environment Design
Notification-Driven Usage Increase

32. D2L
Worldwide
Connection
© 2020, University of Central Oklahoma, Institute for Learning Environment Design
Faculty Satisfaction Measures
• 100% faculty volunteer retention
• Qualtrics surveys
• Faculty comments and reports of their students’ satisfaction

33. D2L
Worldwide
Connection
Questions?
For additional information, please contact me:
ssoutherland@uco.edu
www.linkedin.com/in/ssoutherlandphd