How to teach English Language Learners by Using Technology
What is Technology Integration?
Technology integration is the combination of technology resources and technology-based practices into the daily routines, work, and management of school in general and classroom particularly. Technology means are computers and specific software, and network-based communication systems. Applies contain cooperative work and communication, Internet-based exploration, remote access to equipment, network-based broadcast and recovery of data, and other approaches. This definition is not in itself adequate to describe effective integration: it is significant that integration be repetitive, unified, and both proficient and operative in reinforcing learning goals and purposes.
Advantages of Technology Integration in ESL teaching
After understanding what technology integration is, we can investigate why teachers would want to include it into the ESL classroom. Technology has many beneficial outcomes in different disciplines and there are specific benefits for English language learners (ELLs). In addition, we would highpoint some helpful implements that increase those benefits for ESL students.
1. Increases student engagement and enthusiasm
The first, and perhaps most obvious benefit, is that technology can intensely increase students’ engagement. In our contemporary life, today’s learners are working in a phase where technology operate almost every aspect of their lives. Technology is
According to Huff Post Education, part of the Huffington Post internet newspaper that caters to the world of education, companies such Google, Verizon and Microsoft are pouring in million upon millions of dollars to provide schools with the latest in new gadgets and devices. The schools are in return, are looking for technology to revive student performances in the classroom (Contributing writer to the Huffington Post, 2010). As I mentioned earlier, my goal is to produce lifelong learners. I want my students to be just a captivated in my class as they are to latest music video by their favorite artist. Engagement is the true issue here, and begs the question, “Does technology foster engagement or inhibit it?, (Ain, 2011). I for one, believe that technology can do what is it purposed to do, and that is to foster engagement and enable critical and creative thinking (Ain,
Incorporating technology in the classroom is a leading trend among educators in the 21st century. Teacher use classroom websites, technology tools, and online web assessments to keep parents and students informed, improve instruction, and individualize learning. Using technology to support communication helps keep both students and parents informed on what is happening in the classroom and the students’ academic progress. Integrating technology in the classroom helps increase student engagement and participation. Students use technology tools to help reinforce instruction and teachers may use it as a form of remediation. Technology can also help with differentiating instruction with the use of online assessments. Incorporating technology in the classroom can increase students’ success in the classroom and beyond.
Technology Integration—“Learners will be able to select and use applicable technology to enhance learning experiences.”(COE-GCU Framework,2011)
In the articles “What Is The Future Of Technology In Education?” by Matt Britland and “New Class(room) War: Teacher vs Technology” by Samuel G. Freedman, two different viewpoints are expressed toward technology integration education. The authors show the implications of technology on the attitudes of teachers and students. Britland and Freedman agree that technology and theoretical framework are two inseparable facets but propose different solutions to the actions that should be taken to result in pedagogical expertise.
Using technology, teachers can present and translate instructional materials in the students? native language. Students are allowed opportunities to increase verbal interaction, vocabulary development and enhancement of reading and writing skills. Keeping students engaged in a language-rich environment by allowing for communication among peers fosters collaborative learning among students. Computers provide opportunities for one-on-one learning to develop vocabulary skills in a context-rich environment that offers immediate feedback.
When I worked on my undergraduate degree between 2000 and 2004, technology integration was not part of my course load. At that time, technology in the classroom was treated separately as the author describes. The prevailing attitude at the time was, “If you know how to use it and your school has the resources, go for it, but if you don’t know how to use to use and your school doesn’t have the resources, it’s not really necessary.” Currently, however, that is not true. It is a necessary component of education, not something supplemental or extra. The author offers many practical strategies for integrating technology in the English classroom, many of which I would like to research further and possibly implement in my own
The teachers in the video "An Introduction to Technology Integration" seemed really excited about the opportunity for technology integration in their classes. They went as far as saying that it could fundamentally transform a classroom and what you can do in it. One teacher suggested that if you are using the tools you have as well as you can then you are integrating technology. Our students today are creating using digital tools and we have become more like facilitators than a traditional teacher.
2. Do you think technological tools can motivate students more in learning English as a second language?
The research question the group asks is, “Do supplemental software and technologies help English as a Second Language (ESL) and English Language Learner (ELL) students in both short and long term ways?” Our target population for this study is college students that are ELLs. Finding participants is one part of the study, but since we are researching students on a college campus they will have to be at least 18 to 30 years old to participate in the study. UMKC has a very large and diverse campus; we will reach out to the Applied Language Institute (ALI) students through a class survey. We decided that college would be a better population to start out with because it provides many social opportunities. We are looking for a population that will provide us with direct feedback from the trial. Students in college will know how they learn and be able to explain how technology either helped them or hurt them while learning. Having students participate on campus also ensures that they have access to internet and WiFi. We are aware that there are many limitations that face college students, but there are also benefits to choosing students in college.
It makes students more excited to learn. When technology is integrated into school lessons, learners are more likely to be interested in, focused on, and excited about the subjects they are studying. Subjects that might be monotonous for some – like math and science – can be much more engaging with virtual lessons, tutoring, and the streaming of educational videos. Check out our free lessons page! We just updated it with brand new content that we believe will be a tremendous benefit to you and your
With the integration of technology, students get direct, individualized instruction from the computer. This form of supplemental teaching allows them to engage with the information at times that are most convenient for them and helps them become more self-directed in the learning process. It also gives the teacher more time to accomplish classroom objectives, while freeing them up to help the students who might be struggling with certain lessons.
The incorporation of technology in education help educators design learning environments where the facilitators of learning, teachers or students, have the knowledge to choose technological tools, devices, or materials because they deliver development and learning, which are the most important results of education. Teachers use the implementation of technology in education to create interactive curricula and lesson plans, which make students the center of the curriculum or lesson plan. With the implementation technology and incorporation of 21st Century Framework for Teaching and Learning, all students become very engaged in lessons and academic activities because they feel a sense of responsibility and independence for their learning and really enjoy learning and being provided with life skills that they will need out in the world.
Many problems seem almost impossible without them. Technology is also very useful to students in foreign language education, distance education, and for helping students with special needs.
One way to ensure that this transition can happen is to consider technological integration as a component of all the work we do in schools, including technology use that supports increased student learning. The goal of embedding high levels of technology into instructional practice can be met if all of the educational stakeholders
The true meaning for technology integration means to integrate different forms of technologies and technology-based resources and practices into all aspects of learning and teaching