SONJA BURROWS, PhD | Portfolio
Portuguese at Middlebury | A Cross-Institutional Learning Space
Project Description: This is an online learning space for students, faculty and staff at Middlebury and beyond who are connected in various ways to the Portuguese-speaking world. At Middlebury, Portuguese study exists at various programmatic levels: as part the undergraduate college, as part of the Summer Language Schools, as part of graduate work, and as part of study abroad. This space provides an opportunity to join these Lusophone-focused constituents together so as to provide connections amongst all those learning, speaking using and celebrating Portuguese.
Design: This space is built with a full-installation of WordPress and designed in partnership with staff and leadership at Middlebury’s Schools Abroad, Undergraduate College, Graduate Institute, and Summer Language Schools. Design highlights include Portuguese language learning games, professional networking opportunities, curricular connections across programs, and an interactive exercise to assist learners to begin and continue their Portuguese learning journey.
Additional Features: In addition to Portuguese language games and connection opportunities, this space includes social interaction options for present and past students, faculty and staff involved with the Lusophone-speaking world. While the overall learning space lives on the open web, the connection space is closed so as to provide a safe space for communication among members. Other design highlights include in-depth information about all of the Portuguese programs of study at the institution, with suggested pathways across and between so as to provide seamless, programmatic connections for students working their way through Lusophone studies at Middlebury and beyond. Furthermore, this space supports lifelong learning of Portuguese by providing an interaction space for alumni of these programs who wish to connect and continue to learn together.
Sonja Burrows served as lead Instructional Designer on this project as part of her work with Middlebury’s Office of Digital Learning and Inquiry. Please send a message to request more information.
