Overcoming Language Barriers in Our Schools through Technology

Format

Individual Presentation

First Presenter's Institution

East Carolina University

First Presenter’s Email Address

warrenlo@ecu.edu

First Presenter's Brief Biography

Dr. Louis L. Warren is a faculty member in the Department of Elementary and Middle Grades Education at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. His research interests include teacher leadership, achievement gaps, inclusive education, and student success.

Location

Session Nine

Strand #1

Head: Academic Achievement & Leadership

Strand #2

Home: Family & Community Engagement

Relevance

Overcoming language barriers in our schools through technology is relevant to closing the achievement gap because of how it can address the needs of students who have limited language proficiency which is a significant contributing factor to educational disparities that leads to achievement gaps.

Brief Program Description

Achievement gaps persist, especially among linguistically diverse students. Technology can bridge these gaps by offering multilingual resources and support, fostering inclusive learning. This presentation explores technology's role in promoting equitable education and closing achievement disparities among students from diverse linguistic backgrounds.

Summary

Achievement gaps persist, disproportionately among students from linguistically diverse backgrounds. Language barriers often contribute to these disparities, but technology can serve as a powerful tool to overcome this barrier. This presentation will provide participants with keyways in which technology can serve as a bridge to overcome language barriers for our students in their schools. Technology is a readily available resource to help close achievement gaps among our students by overcoming their language barriers and promoting inclusive learning for all children in our schools. Language is both a tool for learning and a potential barrier. Students who do not have proficiency in the language of instruction often face significant challenges in understanding classroom content, engaging with peers, and accessing educational resources. As a result, these students often fall behind their peers academically, resulting in achievement gaps.

Overcoming language barriers through technology is not only a matter of equity but also a means to unlock the full potential of all children attending our schools. By leveraging technology to provide multilingual resources, language learning support, and inclusive educational experiences, we can close achievement gaps and promote learning for all. As society continue to advance in the digital age, it is our responsibility, as educators, to harness the power of technology to create a more inclusive, equitable, and successful educational landscape for every child and youth, regardless of their linguistic background.

Evidence

Altavilla, J. (2020). How technology affects instructions for English learners. Phi Delta Kappan. 102, 18–23.

Erbas, I., Çipuri, R., and Joni, A. (2021). The impact of technology on teaching and teaching English to elementary school students. Linguistics and Culture Review, 5, 1316–1336.

Grover, S. (2004). Why won't they listen to us? On giving power and voice to children participating in social research. Childhood 11, 81–93. 10.1177/0907568204040186

Liddicoat, A. J., and Heugh, K. (2014). “Educational equity for linguistically marginalized students,” in The Routledge Handbook of Educational Linguistics, eds. M. Bigelow, and J. Ennser-Kananen (London: Routledge) 101–113.

Mohanty, A. K. (2019). The Multilingual Reality: Living with Languages. Bristol: Multilingual Matters.

Reich, J. (2021). Ed tech's failure during the pandemic, and what comes after. Phi Delta Kappan 102, 20–24.

Strain-Moritz, T. E. (2016). “Perceptions of Technology Use and Its Effects on Student Writing,” in Culminating Projects in Teacher Development, 8, 1–25.


Learning Objective 1

Participants will be able to discuss the Prevalence of Achievement Gaps among students from linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Learning Objective 2

Participants will be able to explore the role of language barriers as a significant contributor to achievement gaps.

Learning Objective 3

Participants will be able to discuss how technology can bridge the linguistic gap and contribute to closing achievement gaps.

Keyword Descriptors

Achievement Gaps, Language Barriers, Technology as a Tool, Inclusive Education, Language Acquisition, Equity, Student Success

Presentation Year

2024

Start Date

3-6-2024 11:15 AM

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Mar 6th, 11:15 AM

Overcoming Language Barriers in Our Schools through Technology

Session Nine

Achievement gaps persist, especially among linguistically diverse students. Technology can bridge these gaps by offering multilingual resources and support, fostering inclusive learning. This presentation explores technology's role in promoting equitable education and closing achievement disparities among students from diverse linguistic backgrounds.