Teaching Tools

For this week’s blog, I found a great article on technology tools for English Language Learners.  This article provides a list of innovative technological teaching tools.  Most of these can be used in a regular classroom as well as an ESL classroom.  However, I chose a few of the technological tools that I felt would be best suited for an ESL classroom. 

The first technological program is Achieve 3000’s.  This innovative program is tailored for grades 2-12.  It provides differentiated instruction for English Language Learners at every stage.  The curriculum is aligned to each state’s grade level standards.  It is not only language arts, but it also covers science and social studies.  The goal of the program is to accelerate literacy growth.  It is tailored to each students’ reading level.  It monitors student’s progress and growth.  It can be accessed 24/7. 

The next technological program is HearBuilder Online.  This program is a multi-level instruction that can be used in general and special education programs.  It focuses on students Pre K-8^th.  It provides individualized instruction in early learning and foundational literacy skills.  It is aligned to Common Core standards.  It is divided into four categories.  First, following directions.  As students follow directions, they will have an opportunity to build their own toy factory.  Second, phonological awareness.  As students listen for sounds, syllables, words, and sentences, students earn instruments in order to create their own rock band.  Third, auditory memory practices listening strategies where students go on secret missions.  Last, in sequencing, students are provided with illustrated scenes and place them in the correct order.  They earn tokens to spend in the arcade. 

The last technological program is Study Sync.  Study Sync is a language art program that differentiates learning for targeted instruction for grades 6-12.  Within the program, a podcast was created called School of Thought.  In this podcast, episodes are provided with interviews from students from across the United States.  There are short readings and writing assignments that provide students with the opportunity to provide opinions. 

I have enjoyed reading about different technological programs available to help students but especially English Language Learners. I can see many benefits within each of these programs.  Not only are most aligned to the common core, but most importantly, they provide students with different ways of expressing themselves while learning.

 

Reference:

 A., & A. (2017, June 05). Teaching Tools.  Retrieved June 7, 2017, from https://www.languagemagazine.com/2017/06/teaching-tools/