Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Assistive Technology for English Language Learners
The ESL population in the United States has been on a steady rise in recent years. The language needs of these and other ESL students have motivated teachers to seek new and innovative ways to educate these students.According the the IES The percentage of public school students in the United States who were English language learners was higher in 2010-11 (10 percent, or an estimated 4.7 million students) than in 2002-03 (9 percent, or an estimated 4.1 million students).
Learning English can be very difficult and frustrating at times. Apps on iPads and tablets are great ways for students to practice English and have fun while doing it. For practicing grammar rules, apps like Grammar Up allow students to test their knowledge on specific topics (verbs, prepositions, etc.). The app also keeps track of students’ progress and allows them to skip questions by shaking the tablet. Best Colleges Online offers a list of 16 apps for ESL students, ranging from basic letter instruction to pronunciation guides. Students can also play classic games like Scrabble and Boggle on mobile devices.
Assistive technology is not only used for students with special needs. But also they are useful to help English Language Learners. If a child is determined to need assistive technology for English language learners, there are plenty of tools available to streamline the process for everyone involved. The following are a few effective assistive technology tools:
The SOLO Literacy Suite
With Read:OutLoud, a reading comprehension supportive text reader, spelling tools and a draft writing kit, this package offers a little bit of everything to help those trying to improve their language acquisition skills.
WorldWordExchange.com The World Word Exchange is a new approach to language learning online
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Assisted technology encompasses so much of our lives in and out of school. It’s no longer considered for just the physical disabled but for everyone needing assistance. Basic simple things that we use is everyday could be considered assisted technology such as eyeglasses, close captioned TV, how about programming a coffeemaker or using a remote to open a garage door. So it’s not so farfetched to use technology for ESL learners. Technology in education, just as in everyday life, should be used to help students achieve success. In the article, Mastery Learning and Content Creation of the Ipadhttp://esltechies.com/category/ipad-apps/, by Heather Parris-Fitzpatrick, suggest that using IPad with ESL learners allows multimedia support for content but also lets the demonstrate proficiency of the English language. Assisted technology can be seen a s more than just aid to the physically disabled but anyone who is in need of assistance. As we forge through this age of technology we will see more and more of the defining definition changing.
ReplyDeleteThe link you mentioned direct me to
ReplyDeleteflipping the classes for ELL! http://esltechies.com/category/ipad-apps/
and below is Mastering Learning content. Very good articles. I think ipads has opened a window of opportunity to teach diverse population. Good info.
I think that technology is a part of our lives now, just like breathing. We rely on it. We incorporate it in any way that we can. I think it is especially crucial for people learning how to read or in this case learning English. Students who are learning how to read need visuals, they need to interact to better grasp the idea of reading and comprehending. I feel this is also true for English Language Learners. They need visuals, pictures, in order to connect to what they are being taught. An interactive game on a SmartBoard would also be beneficial for ELL's. It helps them remember what they are learning while also having fun and interacting with technology.
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