Alessandra Ribota
Department of Hispanic Studies
EDUCATION
2016- Ph.D., Spanish, Linguistics, Texas A&M University
Prospective dissertation focus: “The Application of Learning by Design in Open
Educational Resources”OER”
Committee:Dr. Gabriela Zapata (Chair), Dr. Maria Irene Moyna,
Dr. Patrick Bolger & Dr. Sarah Misemer
Expected Graduation date: May 2021
2016 M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction, Texas A&M University
2011 B.A., Spanish & International Studies, Texas A&M University
RESEARCH FIELDS
Instructed Second Language Acquisition
Open Educational Resources (OER) & Open Education
Spanish as a Heritage Language (pedagogy)
Teacher Education
PUBLICATIONS
Peer Reviewed Publications:
Zapata, G. C., & Ribota, A. (2018). Open educational resources in heritage and L2 Spanish classrooms: Design, development, and implementation. Under review.
Zapata, G. C., & Ribota, A. (2018). The instructional benefits of identity texts and Learning by Design in required second language classes. Under review.
Zapata, G. C., & Ribota, A. (2017). Digital publications in language classes: Performance, multiliteracies, and learner autonomy. Language Educator, 12(3), 52-54.
Textbooks:
Zapata, G. C., Ribota, A., & the OER Texas A&M Team. Trayectos: An introduction to Spanish. In progress. OER textbook to be published by the Center for Open Educational Resources and Language Learning (COERLL). Sample unit available at https://spanprog.wixsite.com/trayectos.
Open Educational Resources for L2 Instruction and Research:
Ribota, A. (2018). OER Materials for L2 Spanish Teaching (performance-based instruction activities for intermediate L2 Spanish students). Available at https://www.aribota.com/pedagogical-materials
RESENT PRESENTATIONS
Conferences:
Ribota, A, Zapata, G. C. (2019). The beneficial effects of a service-oriented undergraduate research program for heritage speakers. Paper presented at the 2019 6th National Symposium on Spanish as a Heritage-Language; February 23, 2019; University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley.
Mesa Morales, M., Zapata, G. C., & Ribota, A. (2018). The beneficial effects of technology-based social reading in L2 classes. Paper presented at the 2018 Texas Language Education Research (TexLER) Conference; September 28-29, 2018, San Antonio, TX.
Zapata, G. C., & Ribota, A. (2018). Second language learning in a multimodal world: Learning by Design in the L2 classroom. Paper presented at the 11th International Conference on e-Learning and Innovative Pedagogies and the e-Learning and Innovative Pedagogies Research; March 2-3, 2018, New York, NY.
Zapata, G. C., & Ribota, A. (2018). Heritage language learning in a multimodal world: Learning by Design in Spanish as a heritage language classrooms. Paper presented at the Third International Conference on Heritage/Community Languages; February 16-17, 2018, University of California, Los Angeles.
ACADEMIC POSITIONS
Language Program Assistant to the Director of Lower Division Spanish Instruction
Texas A&M University
Department of Hispanic Studies
August 2017-Present
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Assist Prof. Gabriela C. Zapata with academic and administrative duties pertaining the Spanish classes in the lower-division Spanish program (Spanish 101, 102, 201, and 202).
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Meet regularly with Prof. Gabriela C. Zapata to discuss syllabi and program matters.
Graduate Teaching Consultant Fellow
Texas A&M University
Center for Teaching Excellence
August 2018-Present
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Work with The Center for Teaching Excellence in the training of new graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) at the university.
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Observe new GTAs and provide meaningful feedback on their practice.
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Provide training for international graduate students aiming to pass the English language exam.
Materials Developer: Spanish Program Open Educational Resource Project
Texas A&M University
Department of Hispanic Studies
January 2017- Present
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Work with Prof. Gabriela C. Zapata on the development of the first L2 Spanish Open Educational Resources (OER) textbook Trayectos.
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Create content for Trayectos and guide graduate students in the development of OER materials.
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Train and lead undergraduate students in the development of OER materials for Trayectos.
Teaching Assistant, Research Assistant, Instructor
Texas A&M University
Department of Hispanic Studies
August 2016-Present
Projects:
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The writing process in L2 Spanish students and heritage speakers: A keystroke logging study (with Dr. Gabriela C. Zapata and Dr. Patrick A. Bolger)
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Integrated Performance Assessment in novice high and intermediate low Spanish classes: A Maze task study (with Dr. Gabriela C. Zapata and Dr. Patrick A. Bolger)
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The role of technology-based projects in performance-based instruction (with Dr. Gabriela C. Zapata)
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