Week 4 Assignment 2 - ELL Current Events

This reflection is based on the article about using technology in the classroom to assist ELL teachers, which is found at this URL: 

https://www.teachingchannel.org/blog/2018/05/23/technology-integration-to-support-language-development-in-the-primary-classroom

This article is about how teachers of English Language Learners may find it challenging to accurately assess language development over time, as oral language is difficult to assess while simultaneously engaging in conversation, as well as reading and writing. The article goes over a few strategies involving technology integration that can enhance ELL within listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, and help with assessing language development over time.

One of the strategies are the “in-Flipped Classroom.” A flipped classroom is when teachers assign students a lesson or video to watch at home and then the following day go over the content in class. The issue is when ELL students do not have the resources at home to effectively make the model work. In an in-flipped classroom, students watch the lesson in school ahead of the instruction. The teacher is able to monitor students on task listening progress and can also ask students to demonstrate actions in the video or go over vocabulary terms that may be confusing. Guided reading is another strategy suggested by the article. Round robin reading does not provide a natural reading setting and making sure every reader gets the attention they deserve is difficult. Using PDF books with an app like “Explain Everything” gives early learners access to kid-friendly digital content. They can record themselves reading and teachers can go over and assess their reading more closely and keep a record of progress. Students can also go back and listen to themselves reading, which motivates them to read it again until it is perfect.

Formative assessments and Summative assessments are discussed as well. Having students learn vocabulary and being able to authentically assess which new vocabulary they are actually learning and how they are understanding it is helpful and recording the responses to questions can help enhance the sophistication of English language development. Orally demonstrating learning is another way to show students what they’ve learned and gives students an opportunity to practice at home. Pre-recording summative assessments ahead of time may keep this from being an intimidating experience.  

ELL teachers are always evaluating student progress by assessing content knowledge and the progression of English language development. Utilization of technology not only helps the teacher better assess students’ language developmental skills over time but also it helps make the task of teaching and learning English easier.