Technology Tools for English Language Learners

This class is approved by the Colorado Department of Education to satisfy the 45 hours of ELL professional development required for license renewal. Educational technology tools complement and enhance effective instructional models for diverse populations of English language learners through increased communication, improved access to content, interactive student-centered lessons and rich language development opportunities.  Technology tools also offer differentiation options, generate data to inform instruction, include systems for progress monitoring and provide multiple formats for students to demonstrate their understanding.  This course focuses on increasing engagement and achievement of ELL students through the exploration and application of educational technology tools for communication, content delivery, literacy development, academic language growth and assessments.  The course content is relevant and applicable to in person instruction, remote/online learning, and hybrid models. Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to: Analyze the varied learning profiles of English Language Learner (ELL) students and the fundamental concepts of language acquisition, along with related theories, policies, and legal decisions. Implement communication and instructional technology tools to enhance two-way communication with families, foster home-school partnerships, and facilitate English language acquisition while increasing engagement and achievement for ELLs. Design and deliver lessons using technology tools targeted at literacy development, content delivery, and academic vocabulary enhancement, each with detailed planning inclusive of student profiles, lesson objectives, and intended outcomes relevant for ELLs. Employ technology tools to monitor student progress, collect formative and summative data, and analyze outcomes to inform instructional decisions, including differentiation for diverse student populations. Collaborate within a professional learning community to evaluate technology tools for facilitating English language acquisition, engaging students, improving academic achievement, and creating multiple formats for demonstrating learning, supported by comprehensive tool comparisons and evaluations.