We live in a digital age, and it is ever growing in ways that are hard to foresee its full potential. Involving ESL students in the world of technology with best practices will only intrigue them to pursue information that will grow their learning. They only need to be shown how to use it.
Fudin (2016) states: “Computers, tablets and e-readers can all be instrumental in learning English, offering interactive and motivating activities for students of all ages” (Fudin, 2016). ESL students can benefit from these technologies as wells as the technologies that will soon to be to assist them in their language skills development. These technologies not only should be appropriate, but also should be utilized in ways that are effective. I recently read a website that shares ten ways for ESL teachers to use technology to support the ESL students. In addition, this website shares a number of resources that will prove helpful for the ESL student and instructor.
When engaging ESL students in the creation of any projects, it is critical to keep in mind, for the instructor, to implement tools that allow the learner to share their unique voice and perspectives while fostering a platform that engages ESL students to be creative and analytical. This approach is complimented by supportive feedback from peers and instructor.
Source:
Fudin, S. (2016, August 22). 10 Modern Ways to Use Technology in ESL Instruction. Retrieved June 9, 2019, from https://busyteacher.org/13732-using-technology-esl-instruction-10-modern-ways.html
Pixabay. (n.d.). Free Image on Pixabay -The Digital Artist. Retrieved June 9, 2019,
from https://pixabay.com/illustrations/artificial-intelligence-brain-think-3382507/
Hey Wayne,
ReplyDeleteThe article from busyteacher.org provides a nice snapshot of resources to use with ELL students. It also parallels the content we have been learning throughout the course. Specifically, I found the information provided on digital field trips to be intriguing. This is an area I would like to explore in my own classes. For many reasons, field trips are becoming harder to facilitate (cost, permissions, etc.) and the digital options can take students to anywhere in the world. Additionally, some of the VR related technologies that have come so far technologically in recent years can help to enhance digital field trip experiences. I look forward to adding some of these experiences to my classes in the future. Thanks for the inspiration.
Ryan