Vistas Supersite Information Presented by Lee Ogletree Dept. Chair, Humanities and Education (Online Learning Campus) June 14, 2017

Vistas Supersite The Supersite is an interactive website from Vistas Higher Learning that is used for GMC Online Spanish courses (101, 102, and 201). It employs written, aural, oral and video exercises; revision material; lab manuals; interactive learning; cultural readings; and assessments. Vistas Supersite includes a “v-Text,” which is the Vistas (5th ed.) textbook embedded within the Supersite. This means that students do not have to have a physical copy of the course textbook; the code alone gives them access to both the Supersite and the v-text. The Supersite includes a gradebook for students to manage grades and a “my results” tab for students to view and monitor their grades. The software also allows students to send a note to the instructor when they have questions about their grades (grade review request); and allows the instructor to write comments on the answers provided by students in any activity.

Supersite Access A) For traditional students, the Supersite is accessible by the purchase of an access code (or “Plus” code), separate and above the cost of the textbook (if purchasing a physical textbook). Once students have the Plus code, they get access through the vhlcentral.com site (a link to that site is embedded in the Moodle course). The process requires STUDENTS to create an account and enroll in the course they are taking. Every quarter, Spanish faculty send instructions early and often via Moodle/GMC student email concerning these steps. Once students have the Plus code, enrolling in the Supersite for the course they are taking is very simple.

Supersite and Moodle Once the student opens their course in Moodle, there is a link to the Supersite within the Moodle class In our Spanish courses. Each week, students participate in graded discussion forums in Moodle, while most of the remaining course grade (70%) is done in the Supersite (activities/quizzes). Students can see grades and feedback within the Supersite, but their Supersite grades are entered into Moodle manually by the professor. Only the Moodle gradebook is reflective of the student’s overall course average. ________________________________________ Quizzes (8): 50% (located in the Supersite) Activities: 20% (Supersite) Discussion Forums (16): 25% (located in Moodle; 2 per week) Supersite Quiz (1): 5% (Moodle)

Testimonials from GMC Spanish Faculty: Laura Mancheno Yates: In my opinion, the Supersite is one of the best systems I have worked with. Most college level language textbooks require a similar online learning system (Student Manual for Arriba, etc.) This is one of the best for its content, tools and its friendly navigation. Becky Weimar: The system is extremely user-friendly, something I cannot say about some of Vistas competitors with whom I have worked in the past. Since working with Vistas Higher Learning and the Supersite, I can say with confidence, that, yes, one can teach foreign languages effectively online. Elizabeth Hayes: I like that it has lots of interesting links and additional resources for students.  The new Supersite 3.0 that comes with the new Vistas 5e is MUCH MORE visually appealing and user friendly than the 2.0 was that accompanied with the 4e of the book.

Keys to Student Success Students are often successful in online foreign language courses at GMC; the key is for them to check their email, correctly register into the Supersite asap, and understand that work is done on both the Supersite and the traditional Moodle shell. The Supersite exercises run the gamut from listening practice, speaking practice, videos and other very effective resources. The target language is used extensively and I believe that if students 1) log on daily and practice, 2) take advantage of free tutoring if necessary (there is a SmarThinking link in Moodle that offers free tutoring for online students), 3) follow the guidelines for the discussion forums, understand due dates, and read grade feedback, they will generally be successful. Planning ahead is key for seamless registration and distribution of materials. We encourage students and counselors to plan out their whole year on one participation agreement, so we can register students as soon as registration opens.

Frequently Asked Questions 1) Do MOWR students have a choice between the physical textbook AND the code, or just the code (with the v-text inside)? If the class does not explicitly require a physical textbook, we only order them a hard copy if they request it and do not guarantee it will arrive in time.  2) If they get a physical textbook, who/where is it shipped? That depends on the term- typically it is sent to the high school unless they are out for the summer already. 3) When are the codes generally sent to student emails? As soon as they register, Caroline McDade (GMC Dual-Enrollment Coordinator) loads that into our database, and the email with the code is then sent to the student, typically that same day. 4) What should partner schools do to help students avoid delays (in receiving materials, getting registered for the Supersite, etc.)? a) Return participation agreements at least 3 weeks before class starts. This is almost always possible, and is ALWAYS encouraged. b) Remind students to check GMC email. Students who have code issues have often not checked their GMC email, where the code has been waiting on them for days or even weeks. Finally, remind them to contact their professor if they are having trouble registering for the Supersite course, and be aware that GMC professors send out step-by-step instructions for how to register to student emails (also copied in the News & Announcements forum in Moodle).

Resources Tech Support contact information: http://vistahigherlearning.com/contact/tech-support  ***The most effective way for students to reach Vistas Tech Support is via the Live Chat option, which can be accessed when they are doing work on the Supersite. How-to-Videos for students: https://www.vhlcentral.com/screencasts/student?source=m3 Supersite 3.0 Student Guide: https://vistahigherlearning.zendesk.com/hc/en- us/article_attachments/210666527/Student_Guide_3_061316_update.pdf