Using Technology to Support ELL Students

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By Samantha Wilkinson, Instructional Technology Teacher Specialist

 

Tomorrow  is the final Unity Day of the 22-23 school year. One of the tenets of the professional development we all receive on these 2-hour early dismissal days is to create a more inclusive environment for students. Technology is one way to help provide a more inclusive environment for all students but especially our English Language Learners (ELL), who are simultaneously learning academic concepts, while also acquiring language skills. This is a big demand! Our many instructional tech applications can assist ELL students in completing these processes. Here’s how…

 

1.  Technology Allows for Visual and Audio Assistance:

The Read & Write extension as well as Microsoft's Immersive Reader encompass the ultimate accessibility features. Between the two, every application and web page can be read aloud, allows for word prediction, speech to text, word dictionary and picture dictionary, highlighting options, and page simplification. All of the Google Suite applications and web materials can use Read & Write to make understanding and creation a smoother process. Smart Lumio, Discovery Education, Microsoft Office, and Nearpod all utilize Immersive Reader which allows students to make text adjustments of size, font, and color, line focus, picture dictionary, and translation options.

Wixie allows for students of all levels to learn concepts through audio and visual cues. Any image from the library can be clicked on to reveal the word and how to pronounce it. All text in text boxes can be read aloud. Students can speak to create text or use the audio or video feature to record their voice, relieving the pressure to write and spell accurately. 

In Nearpod, using an open-ended question allows students to record their voice instead of typing an answer. Virtually all of the databases in MackinVia have read-aloud options. World Book, Britannica School, CultureGrams and others also offer translation for those students who may need it.

Additionally, by using Brightspace’s Video Note feature both teachers and students can record themselves without the burden of typing. This also allows for additional information to be recorded for students, and allows them to listen multiple times. Subtitles can be added for more context. 

 



2. Pacing & Practice Time:

We know that no two English Language Learners are the same and the self-pacing option of Lumio, Nearpod, and Discovery Education allows for students to learn at their own pace. They are able to watch videos more than once, utilize Immersive Reader tools, and respond in various ways. In these applications, a student paced link is an option for students to work at their own speed. The pressure of completing in a specific time frame is alleviated and progress can be monitored in case assistance is needed. 


Technology provides additional opportunities to reinforce new skills that are learned in the classroom. This may be in the form of follow up activities and supplemental basic skill builders as students progress through the standards. Having digital options for students to practice involves the teacher pre-loading or pre-designing content, but then posting it for students to access at any point, without a lot of direction in the moment. Think about those down times at arrival, when students finish an assignment early, during guided reading, or at transition periods where follow up practice could be utilized. All of our applications- Wixie, Discovery Education, Lumio, Nearpod, Google Suite, and Minecraft can be used to create review and practice activities that are student paced. You can assign these in the application itself or post in Brightspace for students to access at any time. Check out our Digital Take-Out site for dozens of templated projects and choice boards for teachers to fill in. Additionally, explore the "Library" of each of these apps to find relevant resources for your students. 

Even something as simple as utilizing Brightspace to store your course content, can give ELL students an advantage by allowing them to revisit content on their own time. Simply posting your daily slides or videos can give them the reteaching resources without a lot of work on the part of the teacher.


3.   Real- Time Interactions

Brightspace’s extensive feedback options lets students get feedback in real time. Teachers can record video feedback, written feedback, or can annotate on the assignment.  Discussion boards also allow teachers to interact with ELL students and answer questions and give supplemental materials and clarification. This is also the case with Lumio, Wixie, and Google Assignments. This feedback loop allows students to communicate and collaborate with teachers without having to do it out loud in front of others. Also, Google Meet allows for real-time communication with various content teachers and to set up meetings where students can get support no matter what classroom they may be in.


4. More Engaging Content
Gamified content satisfies that instant gratification kids crave. For ELL students, the gamified experience gives reassurance of correct answers, which motivates them to keep going. By using applications such as Lumio and Nearpod, teachers can create activities such as fill in the blank, label reveal, matching games, and rank order all which give students the opportunity to redo if incorrect, giving that immediate feedback. 

 

For tutorials and information on the applications mentioned in this article, check out our Teacher Intro to Digital Tools page. 


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