Chapter seven titled, “Why Use Web
2.0 Tools with ELLs?” discussed the challenges of ELLs teachers and ELLs
students. English language learners have to learn not only their cognitive
academic language proficiency (CALP) English language, but they have to learn
basic interpersonal communicative skill (BICS) or social language. Using web
2.0 can be a powerful tool for maximizing learning, for example, ELLs students
can develop a website, edit and upload a video on YouTube all while utilizing
CALP and BICS skills.
Creating information and problem
solving are the crucial skills that 21st century students need, if
the teacher creates an environment of fun, then students will be motivated to
do the fun work. The Partnership for 21st Century skills is an
organization focused on infusing important skills such as, crosscultural
communication, critical thinking, creativity, and innovation into the education
curriculum. Another organization called,
The Teachers of English to Speakers of English of Other Languages (TESOL) has
national standards for Web 2.0 tools and activities for school curriculum.
The chapter also talked about safety
concerns regarding Web 2.0 use and the challenges teachers face when protecting
the identity of students on the Web.
Teachers are fully capable of safeguarding his or her students while
challenging and motivating students on the web. People who are “technopanics”
can cause damage because they feed into the negative stereotypes based on media
propaganda.
I have friends who are ELLs and
special needs teachers and I hear them talk about the challenges they face every
day. But I also hear them talk about how
Web 2.0 has made a huge difference in their classrooms. I listen as they talk about how an ELLs
student, who was once so shy and non responsive in the classroom, came alive
when given a group assignment that included Web 2.0 activities. I know a special needs teacher who
incorporates Web 2.0 to build social skills for her special needs
students. Digital media is a 21st
way of life for all teachers and students and it can’t be ignored.
The chapter mentions some of the problems that can be faced browsing the Internet. Have you teachers mentioned any of the methods they use to regulate the sites visited and what they do/do not allow?
ReplyDeleteWhat websites have been the most helpful to the ELL student?
Do you run into similar problems in your office working with the mentally ill? I would think that mental illness and drug abuse does not discriminate - based on language ability..(also because of socioeconomic levels I would think it would be more prevalent perhaps..) I wonder, if any of the ideas of this chapter could relate to your training job? Would it help your staff to be better aware and educated about ELL?
ReplyDeleteDefinitely yes! Here is an interesting quote from The Immigration and Policy Center (IPC) website…
Delete“In 2009, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained approximately 380,000 people. Roughly 15 percent of the non-citizen population in detention, or around 57,000 people, have a mental disability. Unfortunately, these mental disabilities often go unrecognized by law enforcement and immigration officials, resulting in less access to justice for the individual and greater confusion and complexity for the attorneys and judges handling the cases.”
Here is the website:
http://immigrationpolicy.org/special-reports/non-citizens-mental-disabilities
The website goes on to mention that even U.S citizens with mental illness are deported based on confusion from law enforcement officials. ODMHSAS employees receive special training to deal with ELL consumers. Most of the trainings are based out of Washington D.C from NAMI National Alliance on Mental illness.
Here is the NAMI website, http://www.nami.org/
After reading this chapter, it was nice to see the idea in practice. I never considered also using this program with students with special needs, but this is a wonderful idea. What a great way of allowing them to work in an environment (even if that environment is virtual) that is customized to them. This really goes back to that idea of allowing the students to set their own pace and have choice. This allows every student to work in comfortable environment where they do not have to be self conscious.
ReplyDeleteWeb 2.0 is a very important piece of technology! I told my Special Needs teacher friend that I mentioned her in my classroom reading assignment. She was very excited she said we can visit her classroom anytime!
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