Increased Demands, Reduced Funding . . . Technology to the Rescue! 2 Replies

Achievement gaps, diverse learners and budget constraints; are some of the common challenges facing educational leaders across the country.  With greater demands and less financial resources, how are districts meeting the needs of students, in particular English Language Learners (ELL)?  Faced with acquiring a second language and the expectations of mastering academic content at levels equal to their non-ELL peers, ELLs often struggle and fall behind academically unless specific supports are provided to ensure equal access to the curriculum and success for all students.  So how do we meet the needs of these diverse learners?  One possible solution, educators need to rethink their approach to teaching. In today's society the use of technology offers our students the opportunity to access the world around them with little or no regard to language barriers.  If you don't believe me take a look around you the next time you're out, pay close attention to the 3-year old manipulating an iPad, or the 7-year old playing on mom or dad's smart phone and what about the teenager texting at lightening speed. Technology is a growing part of our student's lives and a readily available resource for teachers.  The question is how are we capitalizing on these resources and what impact is it having on our students? How are Districts and Teachers meeting the needs of these diverse learners? What resources have you found useful and how are they implemented in your classroom to ensure equal access to the curriculum?Continue

Tags: Language, English, Learners, Diverse, Technology

Started by Joanne Yates. Last reply by Dawn Crawford, M. Ed. Aug 24, 2012.