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There are a number of digital technology tools to support EAL students in their learning. Schools should consider these in the formation of their school development plan. “School development planning includes policies, practices and procedures in all areas of school life.” It involves strategic planning for “the inclusion of pupils with special educational needs through the equitable and effective deployment of resources, funding and staffing” (Inclusive Education Framework).
Immersive Reader offers many benefits. It aids reading comprehension, with the provision of features such as, text to speech, and the added option of translating words into many different languages. Hearing words being read aloud in English, will also support EAL students improve their pronunciation. EAL students can gradually build their knowledge of English vocabulary and sentence structure through other features such as a picture dictionary and parts-of-speech labelling.
Office Lens, which is a scanning app, makes textbook content more accessible and inclusive for EAL students. The app enables students to take an image of a textbook page or whiteboard using a tablet camera and quickly translate the content. The app supports many different languages and if used correctly, could be used to support syntactic awareness for students and build their knowledge of key academic vocabulary.
Kahoot is a fun way for EAL students to develop knowledge of keywords in a particular topic. Using Kahoot, teachers can develop word-based quizzes to reinforce keywords. The competitive element of Kahoot, makes language learning fun and engaging for students. Students have to learn and recall new vocabulary in real time.
The Microsoft Maths Solver app enables EAL students to access math support through their own language. It offers step by step guidance in solving math problems which EAL students can follow in their own language.
The SETT model supports teachers in deciding the most appropriate assistive technology supports for students. A SETT plan can be developed in conjunction with a student’s Individual Educational Plan (IEP) as the student’s needs become more apparent. The IEP is informed by psychological reports, the student’s academic performance and social development needs, as well as parent and teacher reports. This information can also form the basis of the student’s SETT assessment and plan. A SETT plan will ensure a tailored plan to address the particular needs of a student and maximise his or her learning potential in any given situation. The provision of a plan, facilitates the sharing of this information among the relevant teachers.
SETT Plan for EAL student
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1weWoF3Tr69PN-ht5L_l_BP8XiJt8AmRS/edit
The SETT model support teachers in deciding the most appropriate assistive technology supports for students. A SETT plan can be developed in conjunction with a student’s Individual Educational Plan, as the student’s needs become more apparent. The IEP is informed by psychological reports, the student’s academic performance and social developmental needs, as well as parent and teacher reports. This information can also form the basis of the student’s SETT assessment and plan.
A SETT plan will ensure a tailored plan to address the particular needs of a student and maximise his or her learning potential in a given situation. The provision of a plan, facilitates the sharing of this information among the relevant teachers.
Module 4 SETT plan for EAL student.docx – Google DocsOffice Lens is a fantastic tool to support EAL learners in the classroom. It makes translation of a textbook page or worksheet instantly available to students by simply scanning an images and translating it. It has the added feature of Immersive Reader, which allows the selected text to be read back to the student in his/her home language.
In language support class, I would use this tool to develop students’ syntactical awareness of both English and their home language, as well as developing knowledge of key subject words. Students would be provided with a set of key subject words in English, and using the dual translation available to them, be tasked with finding the equivalent in their home language. To make it challenging, students would be given a set time in which to complete the task. Additionally, students could be asked to pick out verbs, nouns and adjectives in the English text, using their translated text to guide them.
Part 2
The importance of continuous professional development cannot be underestimated. As pointed out by Cosán, the National Framework for Teachers Learning, “The quality of students’ learning cannot exceed the quality of their teachers’ learning”. It is our responsibility as educators not to limit our students’ potential learning opportunities. We must respond to the everchanging needs of our students, by continuing to update our skills and knowledge throughout our professional career as a teacher.
Students who experience literacy difficulties often read slowly and without fluency. They may struggle to comprehend what they have read, as their full concentration has been on word reading as opposed to reading the text for meaning. As a result, students often have to read a text twice before they can extract meaning. Immersive Reader takes the stress out of reading for these students. It eliminates the labour involved in reading, while supporting students’ comprehension of a text and time management. Features such as syllables, line focus and optional screen colour supports the learner with poor phonological awareness and visual perception difficulties. The dictate option on Word, also reduces the burden experienced by students for who spelling and handwriting is an issue. Students will find it easier to express their thoughts verbally than in writing. Dictate allows students to express themselves with clarity. Students with dyslexia frequently feel overwhelmed when presented with huge amounts of text. Share point enables the teacher to reduce the reading load for such students and highlight key pieces of information. In doing so, teachers are making information more manageable and memorable for students.
Part 2
The SETT Framework is a practical guide in supporting teachers to find the most appropriate assistive technology for students with additional learning needs.
When creating a Student Support File, it is necessary to gather as much information as possible regarding the student’s strengths and areas of need, current educational performance, parent and teacher reports on the student’s day-to-day challenges, educational/psychological assessments etc. All this information can be used in conjunction with the SETT model to assess appropriate assistive technology supports for a student, in order to maximise his or her learning potential.
Assistive technology has many benefits, but chiefly it creates an inclusive learning environment, in which students with additional learning needs are supported in participating in class activities. Assistive technology removes barriers to learning by reducing challenges faced by students through tools such as Immersive Reader etc. Assistive technology caters to the specific needs of a student. The SETT Framework guides teachers in selecting the best assistive technology to address students’ specific needs.
Lessons are more appealing to students when technology is incorporated. If used correctly, it can deepen their engagement in the subject matter. Module one provided examples of how ICT resources were used to support an array of subjects including English. Tools such as Kidspiration, Animoto and Padlet were used to analyse plays, films and poetry in a mixed ability class.
The Digital Learning Framework for Post Primary Schools supports the SSE process in relation to “embedding digital technologies into teaching and learning” (Digital Learning Framework for Post Primary Schools). It outlines 32 standards which can be used to guide teachers in planning and reflecting on their use of ICT in the classroom.
In relation to current challenges faced by schools in supporting EAL students, one standard in particular stands out: Students engage purposefully in meaningful learning activities. This requires students to “use digital technologies for sourcing, exchanging of information to develop understanding and support basic knowledge.” Developing academic language quickly is essential for EAL students. ICT tools such as Kahoots, could target the learning of subject specific key words across all subject areas and could be incorporated as a whole school approach to supporting EAL students.
