Author:
David Thompson
Subject:
Arts and Humanities, Languages, World Cultures, Higher Education
Material Type:
Module
Level:
College / Upper Division
Tags:
  • Culture
  • Inquiry-based Learning
  • Languages
  • Problem-Based Learning (PBL)
  • Self-directed Learning
  • Spain
  • Spanish
  • Team-based Learning
  • World Languages
  • License:
    Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial
    Language:
    English, Spanish
    Media Formats:
    Downloadable docs, Text/HTML

    Education Standards

    Problem-Based Units for Advanced Students of Spanish

    Problem-Based Units for Advanced Students of Spanish

    Overview

    The purpose of these PBL units is to provide advanced students of Spanish (generally 3rd and 4th year college students) a series of compelling problems from Spanish culture and society. Each unit introduces a problem that students must solve collaboratively in small teams (4-6) over the course of approximately four weeks, assuming 2-3 class meetings per week. The instructor coaches the teams as they seek to fill gaps in understanding, revise hypotheses to incorporate new knowledge, and craft solutions that recognize various perspectives on the problem. 

    Each unit is based on particular objectives, but the skills and processes students will exercise are the same across all units: collaborative problem solving, self-directed research and synthesis of information, argumentation based on sound evidence, and communication in Spanish.

     

    Section 1

    The purpose of these PBL units is to provide advanced students of Spanish (generally 3rd and 4th year college students) a series of compelling problems from Spanish culture and society. Each unit introduces a problem that students must solve collaboratively in small teams (4-6) over the course of approximately four weeks, assuming 2-3 class meetings per week. The instructor coaches the teams as they seek to fill gaps in understanding, revise hypotheses to incorporate new knowledge, and craft solutions that recognize various perspectives on the problem. 

    Each unit is based on particular objectives, but the skills and processes students will exercise are the same across all units: collaborative problem solving, self-directed research and synthesis of information, argumentation based on sound evidence, and communication in Spanish.