The Use of Vista Higher Learning at Oglethorpe University

At Oglethorpe University, three languages of study are offered: Spanish, German, and French. However, only the Spanish and French programs utilize Vista Higher Learning (VHL), a global leading language publisher. VHL provides print and digital resources for students and teachers in K-12 education and higher education.

The decision to use VHL at Oglethorpe was made independently by department coordinators. The French program was the first to utilize VHL at the university. In the fall of 2019, Dr. Jay Lutz, once the Program Coordinator for French Studies, decided to implement the program in introductory French classes. Currently, it is used for French 101, 102, 201, and 202. Then, in the fall of 2021, Dr. Mario Chandler, the Spanish Program Coordinator, also decided to implement VHL. An online VHL textbook titled VISTAS is currently utilized for Spanish 101, 102, and 201 classes. 

According to Dr. Iona Wynter-Parks, the current Program Coordinator for French Studies, the implementation could not have been timed more perfectly. “During the pandemic, it literally saved us,” said Wynter-Parks. 

In addition to facilitating easy online learning during the pandemic, Wynter-Parks highlighted that VHL offers unlimited opportunities for students to practice language at home, and professors can easily customize it. 

Professors can customize the program by selecting and hiding programs and assignments to suit the needs of their students better. “My philosophy is to customize the program to complement my teaching,” added Wynter-Parks.

Chandler has a similar philosophy. When asked whether or not he thought VHL was replacing professor instruction in the classroom, Chandler said, “The platform complements, not replaces, traditional foreign language instruction.”

Freshman Mekayla Upton recognized the program's many benefits. “The online homework is more helpful than traditional paper homework, primarily because you receive the correct answers immediately,” said Upton. 

Upton also used VHL in her high school French classes, giving her a unique perspective on the programming VHL offers in Spanish and French courses: “In my high school, we only used the physical textbook. Sometimes, my teachers played videos provided by VHL, however, our homework was entirely on paper. In college Spanish classes, our work is entirely on VHL.”

Despite many of the positive benefits that come alongside VHL, Wynter-Parks pointed out some potential downsides to the language publisher. “The only thing I don’t like about VHL is the expense for students,” said Wynter-Parks. A 24-month VHL Spanish program costs $163, and a 24-month French program costs $224. 

In addition to the cost, some students have taken to online forums to complain about the program's layout. In a Reddit thread titled “A plea to foreign language professors (VHL rant),” a student at the University of Houston writes that “it doesn’t actually help with learning. Instead, it discourages and alienates [students].”

A second thread titled “VHL central is killing my motivation to learn” calls the program “overpriced,” “repetitive,” and “boring.” A freshman in college taking their first-ever language class posted, “At this point, I’m just going through the motions and not actually learning anything so I can turn these assignments in on time.”

Despite the backlash online, VHL at Oglethorpe has been widely accepted. Professors and students seem to largely enjoy the program and believe it benefits world language learning. 

Interestingly, the German program does not utilize VHL or any other supplemental language learning program. Dr. Stephen Goodwin, the Program Coordinator for German Studies, said that instead of VHL, the German program is “tracked through a European standard apart from any publisher.” Goodwin uses learning materials from various sources while following European language proficiency standards. 

Spanish and French are the only languages students can major and minor in at Oglethorpe. German is offered only as a minor. Previously, Oglethorpe also offered Chinese, Greek, Japanese, and Latin; however, many of these programs have been cut due to staffing. Currently, Wynter-Parks is the only full-time French faculty member at Oglethorpe. 

As for Spanish and French, Chandler said, “In the foreseeable future, we will continue using VHL in Spanish and French.”