The article that I have found in regards to various technological tools that can assist English language learners is entitled "Supporting English Language Learners with Technology" and it was presented by Juliette Heinze. In this article, three technological tools are proposed that can be used to enhance the learning of students who may not be fully fluent in the English language. The first tool is using image galleries to assist in the vocabulary skills of such students. Enchanted Learning is an online tool that displays picture dictionaries which can better help students associate various words with the images that correctly relate to those words. The second tool is using the notion of multilingual books in order to provide assistance for English learners. Instead of purchasing a number of multilingual books for the students, Heinze suggests that the students create and publish their own multilingual books using Microsoft Word which will ultimately help each student with better understanding and interpreting the English language. The third tool is using technology to create multimedia projects that will increase a students interest in the English language. The Jason Project is an online site that provides video, labs, and live satellite broadcast that can assist students in their learning and can help them enjoy their English learning in ways that a simple textbook can not.
All three of these English learning strategies can be applied directly to the classroom and the teacher can provide the needed assistance to his/her students as the students visit these online websites that can further enhance their English learning. The teacher should visit these websites prior to displaying them to their students and familiarize themselves with the material so that they can better assist their students with any help that they may need while they are exploring the English language.
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=10516
I think Heinze has the right idea. Using Microsoft Word to create multilingual books is a great project that can be done in the classroom. Your English Language Learners as well as your non-English Language Learners can really enjoy learning from what they themselves have created. Good post Sean !
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