Technology Integration PLAN - English Language learners
Technology can be an exceptional aid for students who do not speak English as their first language. Teachers of any subject can use technology to help instruct, translate, and immerse students in a more comfortable learning environment. Within the context of the middle school computer tech classroom, technology can be a daily addition to most lessons since the students will already have access to a computer. Here are examples of 4 types of tools that can be used within the classroom.
Using The Internet for Instruction
Online translators such as Google Translate, Bing Translate, and online-translator.com can provide much needed assistance to students who are not completely comfortable with English. A webpage can be difficult to navigate even if you speak the native language, let alone when it is written in a language you only partially understand. Therefore, presenting students with a translated webpage may be a good idea until they are comfortable with the content of the site.
Problem Statement:
Integration Strategy:
Online translators could be easily implemented in a classroom at no cost to the school. Teachers could suggest translators for ELL students who are not comfortable with English. However, teachers should always work towards weaning students off the translators and onto the English site. This will help the students learn more English and become more comfortable in situations where an online translator may not work properly.
Relative Advantage:
By using online translators students will spend less time trying to find information or figure out what words and phrases mean. They will be able to spend more time working on projects and assignments. The ELL students can still create their work in English, but having the website in their native language can help the students find and access information. Online translators will also help teach the students new words in English as they transition off the translators and back to the normal English sites.
Expected Outcomes:
Resources and Links:
Google translate can also be used for an entire webpage when using Google Chrome
(http://support.google.com/chrome/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=173424)
Online translators such as Google Translate, Bing Translate, and online-translator.com can provide much needed assistance to students who are not completely comfortable with English. A webpage can be difficult to navigate even if you speak the native language, let alone when it is written in a language you only partially understand. Therefore, presenting students with a translated webpage may be a good idea until they are comfortable with the content of the site.
Problem Statement:
- ELL students may not be able to understand or navigate a website that is written in English.
- ELL students may have difficulty finding or accessing online information on English-based websites.
Integration Strategy:
Online translators could be easily implemented in a classroom at no cost to the school. Teachers could suggest translators for ELL students who are not comfortable with English. However, teachers should always work towards weaning students off the translators and onto the English site. This will help the students learn more English and become more comfortable in situations where an online translator may not work properly.
Relative Advantage:
By using online translators students will spend less time trying to find information or figure out what words and phrases mean. They will be able to spend more time working on projects and assignments. The ELL students can still create their work in English, but having the website in their native language can help the students find and access information. Online translators will also help teach the students new words in English as they transition off the translators and back to the normal English sites.
Expected Outcomes:
- ELL students will be better able to find and access information online.
- ELL students will be more comfortable working on web-based assignments.
- ELL students will increase their English vocabulary.
Resources and Links:
- Google Translate – http://translate.google.com/
- Bing Translate – http://www.bing.com/translator
- PROMT Translate – www.online-translator.com
Google translate can also be used for an entire webpage when using Google Chrome
(http://support.google.com/chrome/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=173424)
Tool Software
Apple’s new iBooks Author is a great example of a technology tool that can be used to integrate hypermedia into a non-ELL friendly textbook or lesson. Using iBooks Author, teachers can design their own course content, creating material that includes graphics, translations, videos, and any other form of hypermedia that could be beneficial to an ELL student. In addition to providing support for ELL students, hypermedia integration into textbooks can also be advantageous to non-language learners.
Problem Statement:
Integration Strategy:
Interactive iBooks with hypermedia assistance for ELL students could be implemented in a computer classroom provided several criteria are met. First, the computer lab would have to be equipped with Mac computers and/or ipads for the students. Second, the teacher would have to find or create an ibook appropriate for the class. This would involve a large amount of work, from writing the textbook, to finding content that would assist ELL students, to publishing and distributing the text through iTunes. However, for a determined educator, implementing this software in the classroom would be an incredibly beneficial tool for all students, including English Language Learners.
Relative Advantage:
Expected Outcomes:
Resources and Links:
Apple’s new iBooks Author is a great example of a technology tool that can be used to integrate hypermedia into a non-ELL friendly textbook or lesson. Using iBooks Author, teachers can design their own course content, creating material that includes graphics, translations, videos, and any other form of hypermedia that could be beneficial to an ELL student. In addition to providing support for ELL students, hypermedia integration into textbooks can also be advantageous to non-language learners.
Problem Statement:
- ELL Students may lack the vocabulary and language skills to read and understand an English textbook.
Integration Strategy:
Interactive iBooks with hypermedia assistance for ELL students could be implemented in a computer classroom provided several criteria are met. First, the computer lab would have to be equipped with Mac computers and/or ipads for the students. Second, the teacher would have to find or create an ibook appropriate for the class. This would involve a large amount of work, from writing the textbook, to finding content that would assist ELL students, to publishing and distributing the text through iTunes. However, for a determined educator, implementing this software in the classroom would be an incredibly beneficial tool for all students, including English Language Learners.
Relative Advantage:
- Students would have interactive hypermedia content designed to help them better understand their textbook.
- Students would have additional vocabulary support for English they are unfamiliar with.
- All students in the class would benefit, not just ELL students.
Expected Outcomes:
- Students will have less difficulty learning and reviewing concepts in the textbook
- Students would find their textbook more engaging
Resources and Links:
- Apple iBooks - http://www.apple.com/ibooks-author/
Instructional Software
Rosetta Stone is one of the most popular language learning tools on the market today. This software could easily be used in a school setting for ELL students. Through drill and practice vocabulary building exercises, Rosetta Stone digitally immerses students in an English learning experience. ELL students could use Rosetta stone as a special class every day (instead of an elective), before school, after school, at home, or even during class if they have extra time.
Problem Statement:
Integration Strategy:
As mentioned above, Rosetta Stone software could be integrated in a variety of ways. It could be used within the classroom when ESL students have extra time during class. However, a more successful strategy would be to have a set time every day (before school, after school, or during lunch) where ELL students could come in and work in the computer lab, learning English through Rosetta Stone. The only hold up to integration would be the cost of the software, which runs around $500 for a single-user license.
If funds were of no consequence, then a computer teacher could set up an entire language lab. ELL students could practice English and native English speakers could work on another language of their choice. This class would also be a valuable alternative in districts where a language teacher is not employed.
Relative Advantage:
Expected Outcomes:
Resources and Links:
Rosetta Stone is one of the most popular language learning tools on the market today. This software could easily be used in a school setting for ELL students. Through drill and practice vocabulary building exercises, Rosetta Stone digitally immerses students in an English learning experience. ELL students could use Rosetta stone as a special class every day (instead of an elective), before school, after school, at home, or even during class if they have extra time.
Problem Statement:
- ELL Students need practice and exposure to English as often as possible
- English teachers are not always available to work one on one with an ELL student
Integration Strategy:
As mentioned above, Rosetta Stone software could be integrated in a variety of ways. It could be used within the classroom when ESL students have extra time during class. However, a more successful strategy would be to have a set time every day (before school, after school, or during lunch) where ELL students could come in and work in the computer lab, learning English through Rosetta Stone. The only hold up to integration would be the cost of the software, which runs around $500 for a single-user license.
If funds were of no consequence, then a computer teacher could set up an entire language lab. ELL students could practice English and native English speakers could work on another language of their choice. This class would also be a valuable alternative in districts where a language teacher is not employed.
Relative Advantage:
- ELL students could practice English without needing an English tutor.
- ELL students could learn English at their own pace in a one-on-one setting.
Expected Outcomes:
- ELL students would increase their English language ability.
Resources and Links:
- Rosetta Stone - http://www.rosettastone.com/learn-english
Productivity Software
The goal of productivity software is to simplify work for students or teachers. The online tool Casa Notes from 4teachers does exactly that. Casa Notes is a tool for helping teachers create (in English or in Spanish) common letters to send home to parents. Progress reports, permission slips, awards, student contracts, and many more can be created simply and easily. This is a great tool for ELL students and their parents as teachers can create important notes in Spanish as well. Unfortunately, the software does not yet have language support for other languages, but at the very least, it is a great tool for Spanish speaking students.
Problem Statement:
Integration Strategy:
Very little work is needed to integrate this software. Teachers would simply have to visit Casa Notes and select the type of message they would like to create. They can customize the note, chose the language, and make formatting decisions if they would like, but overall, most of the work is already done for them.
Relative Advantage:
Expected Outcomes:
Resources and Links:
The goal of productivity software is to simplify work for students or teachers. The online tool Casa Notes from 4teachers does exactly that. Casa Notes is a tool for helping teachers create (in English or in Spanish) common letters to send home to parents. Progress reports, permission slips, awards, student contracts, and many more can be created simply and easily. This is a great tool for ELL students and their parents as teachers can create important notes in Spanish as well. Unfortunately, the software does not yet have language support for other languages, but at the very least, it is a great tool for Spanish speaking students.
Problem Statement:
- Teachers regularly send home notes to ELL students and their parents.
- Translating notes correctly online or finding a translator can be a difficult process.
- ELL students and their parents may have difficulty understanding or interpreting teacher notes that are written in English.
Integration Strategy:
Very little work is needed to integrate this software. Teachers would simply have to visit Casa Notes and select the type of message they would like to create. They can customize the note, chose the language, and make formatting decisions if they would like, but overall, most of the work is already done for them.
Relative Advantage:
- ELL students and their parents would be able to easily understand notes a teacher sends home without needing a translation.
Expected Outcomes:
- ELL students and their parents would have a better understanding of what is happening in the classroom.
Resources and Links:
- Casa Notes - http://casanotes.4teachers.org/
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