It is estimated that by 2015, 1/3 students will be an English language learner. The article, “The Word and the World: Technology Aids English-Language Learners,” by Maya Payne Smart, talks about the various software and other technology that are use for English learners, and the pros and cons of using them. Some of these include, Read Naturally for developing English fluency, the popular Rosetta Stone, and Kurzweil 3000 for scanning text. There are also reading software such as Lexia Reading, My Reading Coach, and Reading Assistant.
According to Wegener-Taganashi, technology can help students with language skills that they can use in social settings. It mixes things up from the normal classroom instruction, and is more interesting to the students. Despite very little study on technology and English Language Learners, educators recommend programs because they aid in faster learning. The negative side says that few classrooms have the technology, and many teachers are not trained. Students need social interaction rather than sitting at a computer. There is also online social interaction where students can talk to other students, and many projects can be done.
http://www.edutopia.org/technology-software-english-language-learners
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This was a great article. This was my second one I summarized. Isn't it amazing to think that by 2015 1/3 of the student population will be English language learners? That is only 6 years from now! It was interesting to read about the Read Naturally program. I have never heard of that, unlike Rosetta Stone which I have heard tons about! I have to agree with the article a lot. It talks about how computer programs and other technologies help accelerate the acquisition of phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and reading-comprehension skills and other language building blocks. Technology can help these students immensely, as you stated above the only problem is the funding. Great job on your post!
ReplyDeleteThis was my article as well. i really like this article and i absolutely agree when it says teachers are not trained. I walked in to observe a class once and a student was using Rosetta stone, but the student was not using it correctly. He was just clicking anything until the right answer popped up. I asked the teacher about it and all she could tell me was " Oh, its some reading thing for students." This proves she had no idea how to use it in her classroom.
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