Technology and English Language Learners: Improving Language Skills via

1. Technology and English Language Learners: • Improving Language Skills via • Online Learning Applications • Jamia Thomas Richmond, Ph.D. • Jeremy Dickerson, Ed.D. • Caroline Knight, Ph.D. • Corey Lee, Ph.D.

2. About English Language Learners • ELLs are the fastest growing segment of students in U.S. Rate of EL Growth from 1997-98 to 2007-08 Sources: U.S. Department of Education’s Survey of the States’ Limited English Proficient Students and Available Educational Programs and Services, 1991-1992 through 2000-2001 summary reports; state publications (1998-1999 data); enrollment totals from the National Center for Educational Statistics Core of Common Data, 1998-1999 through 2007-2008; FY 2002 Consolidated State Applications for State Grants under Title IX, Part C, § 9302 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (P.L. 107-110); 2004-2008 Consolidated State Performance Reports; and additional 2002-2008 data reported by state.

3. About English Language Learners • In 2004-2005, approximately 5.1 million or 10.5 percent of the U.S. student population are English-language learners • Approximately 79 percent of ELLs nationally are from Spanish-language backgrounds • While English learners reside throughout the United States, traditionally they were heavily concentrated in the six states (61% of ELL population) • In addition, the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico accounts for another 1 percent of the U.S. ELL population. • However, other states have experienced a 300 percent or higher growth of ELLs in a ten-year period from 1995 to 2005.

4. Issues • Not a homogenous group of students • Providing quality instruction • Disproportionately misidentified as learning disabled • “Double demands” • Tracking • On average, they struggle academically more than native English speaker.

5. What we know about Literacy and Language Learning • Two major approaches to Second Language Acquisition • Native Language Emphasis • Sheltered English/Structured Immersion • BICS • CALP • Guiding principles for teaching linguistically diverse students

6. Digital Divide: “Doesn’t Everybody Have the Internet?”

7. Does anyone know a family who does not have a computer or Internet connection at home? Does anyone know a school with a population of children who may not have Internet connections at home? Questions

8. This is connected and relevant to the issues in this presentation Many children and adults do not have the resources to access educational materials online Many children and adults do not have the technology (stuff) or technological literacy (know-how) to be competitive with those who do have these things As teachers, we must seamlessly integrate technology throughout our classes and schools so that all who participate in our learning communities can be a part of the digital learning culture Connections: Learners living in poverty and, rural/distant areas

9. A Site for information: DigitalDivide.org • The term “digital divide” is widely used and misused…besides doing a search and shifting through a million sights, where can you go to review some of the important issues? • DigitalDivide.org is the site of Digital Divide Institute. According to their site, the Institute researches innovations concerning social, environmental, cultural and human impacts of the Internet as it is integrated in distant regions around the world. • For some good reading, go to www.DigitalDivide.org Source: The Digital Divide Institute. http://www.digitaldivide.org.

10. What does the term Digital Divide mean today?-Craig Warren Smith, Digital Divide Institute Founder • According to the Digital Divide Institute; • “Digital Divide is the gap between those who can benefit from digital technology and those who cannot • Closing the Digital Divide refers to more than just giving the poor the same technologies already received by the rich • Closing the Divide involves restructuring the telecommunications sectors in each nation so that broadband’s benefits can flow to the masses, not just the elite urban sectors of emerging markets • Social, Political, Economic, Cultural, and Educational Issues abound…” Source: The Digital Divide Institute. http://www.digitaldivide.org.

11. Interconnectivity is essential (social networking, online learning, informal learning, workforce development expectations) Technology has changed the process and share information – Wireless pervasiveness, Web ubiquity, cost effective mobile devices Those without are not just behind, they are WAY behind… Connections and implications to our work with technology and literacy in education Information and Human Networks

12. Websites for Elementary ELL • www.manythings.org • www.manythings.org/b/e/4703 • www.manything.org/voa • www.eslgamesworld.com • www.primarygames.com • www.storylineonline.net • www.pbskids.org • www.starfall.com

13. For Adult and Young Adult Learners • www.englishclub.com • www.eslcafe.com • www.eslgold.net • www.marksesl.com • www.manythings.org • http://engolish.com

14. For More Information • www.iteslj.org/links • www.tesol.org • www.ncela.gwu.edu • www.nabe.org

15. Learning English with Video News • CNN Student News • Video Podcast • LearnOutLoud.com • LearnOutLoud.com is an one-stop destination for audio and video learning—Over 20000 educational audio books, MP3 downloads, podcasts, and videos. • NBC Nightly News • ABC World News • Anderson Cooper 360 • (transcript:http://archives.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/acd.html)

16. Learning English on the go

17. Learning English on the go • ESLpod.com(Web + iPhone App) • EnglishPod.com(Web + iPhone App) • Flashcard Touch (Web + iPhone App) • http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/flashcard-touch/id351542950?mt=8 • Quizlet.com

18. Learning English (for native speaker of Chinese) • KeKeNet.com • TingClass.com • eBigEar.com

19. Download & More Info http://Ed.CoastalApps.Org