Teaching Elementary ELD

             When I think of social media apps, I usually think about using them for social purposes as the name implies, but as the ways in which most people communicate and interact with the world are changing, it makes sense to reconsider using social media apps in education. Many students are inherently motivated by technology, especially when it includes technology they are using for fun or see those around them using. In addition to motivation, “social media enhances student’s communication skills; They develop a great ability to access, evaluate, maintain, and share information” (Kiiki, 2022). Beyond using social media to enhance classroom activities for your students, “social media gives you a chance of interacting with teachers and students from across the world” (Kiiki, 2022).      At the elementary level, students may not have much experience with social media. Some concerns people have about integrating social m...

           Digital literacy is an evolving literacy that is increasing in importance every day. “A digitally literate person can use technology strategically to discover and evaluate information, connect and collaborate with others, produce and share original content, and use the Internet and technology tools to achieve many academic, professional, and personal goals” (Mantiri et al., 2019).  Without digital literacy, it is becoming increasingly difficult to complete even simple tasks like making appointments for the doctor.  Processes that were once offered in a nondigital manner are quickly switching to digital-only platforms with little options for those who are not digitally literate. Given the importance of digital literacy for all people, teachers must ensure that their students understand how to effectively use technology. Despite the importance of digital literacy, it is surprising that vocabulary instruction related to technology a...

          What is a podcast and why should it matter to me as an ELD teacher?  “In essence, a podcast is an audio program produced either professionally or by an amateur about a certain topic” (Verner, n.d.). Podcasts are available on a wide range of topics so finding topics to fit students’ interests is not a problem. Podcasts are a valuable auditory resource that students can use to strengthen listening skills while expanding their vocabulary and background knowledge.       Podcasts offer a convenient opportunity to listen to native speakers of a desired language discuss many different topics. However, it is important for teachers to consider that “although podcasts are freely available and meant to provide authentic aural input, comprehending the information in podcast episodes can be challenging for second language (L2) learners” ( Nurmukhamedov & Sharakhimov, 2021). In much the same way that I preteach vocabulary and backgr...

       Personal Learning Environments are “learner-controlled environments for language learning” (Reinders, 2014, p. 14). Reinders (2014) continues to explain that a PLE is a combination of digital tools and other resources that a learner can use to drive their own learning.  Reinders's personal experiences are with university students and he found that helping students build independence as learners was difficult.  Some of the challenges he faced were having students commit to the time needed for learning.  He specifically was using PLEs to help students expand their language practice when they could not be in class. He also found that most students were not accustomed to controlling their own learning.  He gives a six week simple plan of how teachers can begin to implement a PLE.  For example, the first week is about explaining the why of a PLE, setting expectations, giving incentives for work, and beginning training on how to use a PLE. E...