ISJ November 2014: The impact of technology tools on literacy motivation on elementary school English language learners – podcasting in a 4th grade EAL class

Alexandra Ritt Gustad

Abstract:

The use of technology within the classroom is becoming more and more commonplace around the world. Students in elementary school are digital natives, and are comfortable using it both inside and outside of the classroom.  The use of technology within an English as an Additional Language (EAL) classroom opens up new opportunities for a vulnerable demographic of students who could benefit from learning key English language skills through a medium (technology) with which they are comfortable.

English language learners (ELLs) are a group of students who have a far more daunting academic challenge than students who are native speakers of English; they have the dual task of being expected to learn English while they simultaneously learn the content from the multiple disciplines that are taught in their main classroom (which is taught at an English proficiency level that is higher than their own). They are expected to acquire social language skills, academic language skills, and to keep up with what is taught in their classroom, all at the same time.