4+Software+and+Devices

= __ Software and Devices: __ = In many of today's school there are technology resources that go on used or underutilized that can support ESOL students in their endeavors to understand and learn in a North American Classroom. By taking a new look at these devices, we can tailor a specific regime of learning to meet the needs of this unique user. Wahl and Duffield write, in their article //"Using Flexible Technology to Meet the Needs of Diverse Learners"//, that "A modern computer connected to the Internet and running standard software provides a wide array of features, as well as access to a vast amount of information. This brief highlights just four areas: talking text, Web resources, graphic organizers, and features of the word processor." These advances like text to talk and talk to text can provide most ESOL students with a positive learning environment because they will be unafraid to make the mistake in pronunciation with the computer (Wahl & Duffield 2005).

Also technology can support the ESOL student by providing numerous opportunities to interact with their North American counterparts and share their experiences to promote a community in the classroom and eliminate the discomfort that can be caused by not understand collaborative learning. Wahl and Duffield, also, write, ﻿"Cooperative learning is supported by a number of technology applications. For instance, roles can be assigned that include computer tasks such as typing and mousing. Web Quests and creating computer-based slide shows or other multimedia presentations work well as group activities structured with cooperative roles." This cooperative learning could be in the classroom and extend as far as another country with Gmail and Skype (Wahl & Duffield 2005).

**__ Hardware __**

 *  Computer (desktop or laptop) - the uses with this device are endless, but one could use a computer access websites like Discovery Education for background knowledge videos and vocabulary.
 *  iPod- this device is an excellent resource to listen to books as well as watch instructional videos to support background knowledge and vocabulary.
 *  Playaways- are durable Portable Readers that have a an a dedicated MP3 file loaded on them that can be listened to by an individual or group.
 *  SMARTboards are Digital Interactive Whiteboards - these devices can be used in a number of ways to scaffold student learning.
 *  Flip Cameras- for digital storytelling and sharing culture with other within and out of the school.

**__ Software __**

 *  GOOGLE Apps for Education -such as Gmail and Earth could be used to share culture and communicate more effectively with other in the North American Culture.
 *  Skype- this technology offers the student the opportunities to video chat and interact with someone in another North American school.
 *  Tumblebooks - an eBook tool available free through the St. Louis County Library that allows students to have a book read to them or the option to read it themselves in several languages with the support of learning games.