President Daniel J. Elsener | Marian University website

Two Marian University faculty members, Yuriko Ikeda and Julia Baumgardt, have collaborated to release a new open textbook called "Comunidades" through the Private Academic Library Network of Indiana (PALNI). The book, which is free for students, aims to teach novice-level Spanish students through the incorporation of authentic materials, cultural concepts, and real-life conversations with Spanish speakers in the American Midwest.

"Comunidades" was made possible through a Textbook Creation Grant from the PALSave: PALNI Affordable Learning program, which supports the creation of open educational resources (OERs). The authors, both experts in Spanish language and culture, wanted to create a textbook that addressed the financial and pedagogical needs of their students.

"We are excited to have been able to write the textbook that we want to teach from," says Baumgardt. Ikeda adds, "One of the things that I like the most about the book are the student videos as they reflect the richness of the Spanish language and the cultural diversity of our students."

The textbook, "Comunidades," is a comprehensive resource that focuses on the cultural products, practices, and perspectives of Spanish-speaking communities around the world. It is designed to help students develop cultural and communicative proficiency in Spanish.

To enhance students' learning experience, the textbook includes interactive activities tailored to improve proficiency across three modes of communication: interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational. Each chapter also features at least one Integrated Performance Assessment, exercises with automated feedback, and thought-provoking prompts that encourage cross-cultural comparisons through research and reflection.

"Comunidades" goes beyond traditional textbooks by incorporating authentic resources and real-life video conversations with native Spanish speakers. This provides students with a genuine and immersive learning experience, allowing them to engage with the language and culture in a meaningful way.

The release of "Comunidades" is a significant contribution to the field of language education. By making the textbook an open educational resource, Ikeda and Baumgardt have ensured that students have access to high-quality educational materials without the burden of high costs.

As the PALSave program continues to support the creation and dissemination of open educational resources, more students and educators will benefit from the availability of affordable and accessible learning materials. The release of "Comunidades" is a testament to the dedication and innovation of faculty members like Ikeda and Baumgardt, who are committed to improving the educational experience for their students.