Office Tools
Some of the most effective tools to help English Language Learners in the classroom can also be the simplest. Office tools are essentially basic tools which are used by a huge assortment of people, ranging from students to professionals in offices on any given day, and are one of the first programs any technology user will interact with. Office tools include software such as Microsoft Word, and PowerPoint, or online tools such as Google Docs which accomplish many of the same functions.
Word Processors
Word processors are one of the most basic technological tools for the 21st Century, but they can also be some of the most critical in assisting English Language Learners. One of the main benefits which are associated with Word Processors in assisting ELL students is the ease of editing within the document. Instead of having students write and rewrite numerous paper copies of their work, Word Processors instead enable students to go back and make the necessary changes without having to start from scratch (Akinwamide, 2012). Such ease of editing is critical when working with Language Learners and attempting to teach the writing process. Studies have shown that English Language Learners are much more open to the revising and editing process when their work is completed on the computer, and the required changes can be made much faster. Another added benefit of Word Processors is that they typically have spell check functions attached to them, which monitor student documents and point out any errors in their work. Such a function can be critical in keeping ELL students focused on the meaning and ideas within their writing, without the need to worry about spelling or grammar until the editing stage (Akinwamide, 2012). In addition, having ELL students go through and correct their work using spell check can assist them in learning the proper spelling and grammar conventions for the English language. A final benefit to basic Word Processors is that the final product which students create looks clean, professional, and presentable. Free from major spelling and grammar errors, and potentially bad handwriting, Word Processors allow students to create finished products which they can be proud of, and unafraid to share with others (Foulger & Jimenez-Silva, 2007). Therefore, teachers should try to ensure, when possible, that ELL students have the opportunity to work on computers, and share their ideas using Word Processors instead of pen and paper, in order to increase the quality of student output, and the pride students have in their final product.
Presentation Software
Another tool which comes standard on many computers, and is commonly used in many offices throughout the world is Microsoft PowerPoint, or similar presentation software. Though to fully utilize this technology for the benefit of English Language Learners, educators need to get away from the idea of such technology being used solely for presentations, and focus on its other possible applications. One of the major ways which presentation software can be used to help ELL students is to allow them to use the program to express their ideas visually, or with a minimal use of words. Presentation software is very image friendly, and ELL students can use this capability to import a number of picture, and then arrange those pictures on various slides to create a visual story. By using this technology, even ELL students who unable to communicate effectively in the English language, may still have an alternative means to express their ideas (Foulger & Jimenez-Silva, 2007). An additional use for presentation software can be seen through teacher created presentations. In teaching students to read from left to write, instructors can use the animation function in order to allow words to appear one at a time, moving in the correct direction across the page (Hourcade, Parette, Boeckmann, & Blum, 2010). In addition, teachers can incorporate PowerPoint into their own lessons, creating a visual backdrop to their instruction; giving ELL students something to visually watch and connect with the lesson, as well as fill in the gaps when listening to unfamiliar words (Hourcade, Parette, Boeckmann, & Blum, 2010). Overall, presentation software can be an incredibly valuable way both for ELL students to express their ideas, as well as make connections and follow the lessons delivered by the instructor.
Word Processors
Word processors are one of the most basic technological tools for the 21st Century, but they can also be some of the most critical in assisting English Language Learners. One of the main benefits which are associated with Word Processors in assisting ELL students is the ease of editing within the document. Instead of having students write and rewrite numerous paper copies of their work, Word Processors instead enable students to go back and make the necessary changes without having to start from scratch (Akinwamide, 2012). Such ease of editing is critical when working with Language Learners and attempting to teach the writing process. Studies have shown that English Language Learners are much more open to the revising and editing process when their work is completed on the computer, and the required changes can be made much faster. Another added benefit of Word Processors is that they typically have spell check functions attached to them, which monitor student documents and point out any errors in their work. Such a function can be critical in keeping ELL students focused on the meaning and ideas within their writing, without the need to worry about spelling or grammar until the editing stage (Akinwamide, 2012). In addition, having ELL students go through and correct their work using spell check can assist them in learning the proper spelling and grammar conventions for the English language. A final benefit to basic Word Processors is that the final product which students create looks clean, professional, and presentable. Free from major spelling and grammar errors, and potentially bad handwriting, Word Processors allow students to create finished products which they can be proud of, and unafraid to share with others (Foulger & Jimenez-Silva, 2007). Therefore, teachers should try to ensure, when possible, that ELL students have the opportunity to work on computers, and share their ideas using Word Processors instead of pen and paper, in order to increase the quality of student output, and the pride students have in their final product.
Presentation Software
Another tool which comes standard on many computers, and is commonly used in many offices throughout the world is Microsoft PowerPoint, or similar presentation software. Though to fully utilize this technology for the benefit of English Language Learners, educators need to get away from the idea of such technology being used solely for presentations, and focus on its other possible applications. One of the major ways which presentation software can be used to help ELL students is to allow them to use the program to express their ideas visually, or with a minimal use of words. Presentation software is very image friendly, and ELL students can use this capability to import a number of picture, and then arrange those pictures on various slides to create a visual story. By using this technology, even ELL students who unable to communicate effectively in the English language, may still have an alternative means to express their ideas (Foulger & Jimenez-Silva, 2007). An additional use for presentation software can be seen through teacher created presentations. In teaching students to read from left to write, instructors can use the animation function in order to allow words to appear one at a time, moving in the correct direction across the page (Hourcade, Parette, Boeckmann, & Blum, 2010). In addition, teachers can incorporate PowerPoint into their own lessons, creating a visual backdrop to their instruction; giving ELL students something to visually watch and connect with the lesson, as well as fill in the gaps when listening to unfamiliar words (Hourcade, Parette, Boeckmann, & Blum, 2010). Overall, presentation software can be an incredibly valuable way both for ELL students to express their ideas, as well as make connections and follow the lessons delivered by the instructor.