Monday, March 17
8:30 AM-12:00 PM
EDT

Developing TPACK in ESL Instruction as Educators and Technology Integration Specialists – Cultures of Instruction and Communities of Practice (Bring Your Laptop or Device)

Workshop ID: 41180
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    Phil Boltz
    Ball State University - Intensive English Institute

Abstract: Integrating appropriate technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge in the field of ESL involves challenges for technology integration specialists and ESL educators. The K-12 ESL educator field is an amalgamation of instructional models that require customized approaches by educators and specialists alike. This workshop is an opportunity for ESL Instructors, Technology Integration Specialists, and everyone in between to collaborate and develop effective learning centered frameworks for technology integration in the ESL learning environment. Once the dialogue has been constructed, a second opportunity exists for educators and specialists to collectively model and theorize methods for developing sustainable ESL communities of practice that utilize technology in meaningful ways.

Objectives

1) Understand and respond to ESL learning scenarios with integrated technology and pedagogy. a. For technology integration specialists, the field of English language instruction involves a myriad of challenging instructional dilemmas. Resolving these issues is not a question of technological expertise, but one of developing practical outcomes and linguistic capabilities as related to higher order thinking skills. The role of the specialist is then to efficiently facilitate learner construction of knowledge via critically applied pedagogical and technological tools. The first segment in this workshop is an exploration of pedagogical scenarios targeting various learner demographics, needs, and proficiencies. Participants will collectively construct best practices solutions to each pedagogical scenario. 2) Develop effective ESL teacher education processes, which technology integration specialists and trainers can readily implement. a. There is a need for effective and appropriately scaffolded education surrounding use of technology and progressive pedagogy among English language learning faculty. Specialists servicing ESL faculties are expected to develop programs and tools to support broad learning goals while gaining appropriate buy-in from learners and educators. The second objective of this workshop is to consider various professional development models and collaborative frameworks for building sustainable cultures of instruction and communities of practice.

Topical Outline

Workshop Outline: 1) First Half – Bringing SITE expertise to bear on the ESL framework. a. 15 – 20 minutes – Introduction and Background Framing – Meeting of worlds ESL and Technology Integration Specialists. b. 15 – 20 minutes – Consideration of essential ESL Instructional strategies and frameworks. Participants collectively consider essential high order thinking terms as connected with ESL outcomes and processes. c. 5 – 10 minutes – Presentation of examples of effective technology integration in the ESL classroom. d. 20 – 25 minutes – Consideration of practical ESL scenarios, outcome, and resource combinations. Groups strategize effective instructional methods and consider best practice technology as scaffolding mind-tools. e. 15 – 20 minutes – Participants report and discuss responses, plans, and ideas from prompts. (90-95 min mark) f. 10 minute break 2) Second Half – Bringing SITE Expertise and ESL content knowledge to the ESL professional community. a. 15 – 20 minutes – Key research and literature regarding technological implementation in the ESL professional community. b. 5 – 10 minutes – Quick group collaboration on top issues and goals of ESL educators with regard to technology (developing criteria for planning). c. 5 – 10 minutes – Development of strategies and frameworks for building cultures of instruction & collaborative communities of practice. (structures) d. 5 – 10 minutes – Responses to mock scenarios of program and system requirements, faculty attitudes and proficiencies, and resources. e. 20 – 25 minutes – Development of group plans, procedures, strategies, and measurements for successful technology integration in ESL communities of practice. f. 10 minutes – reflection and wrap up (190 minutes/ 3.16 hrs)

Prerequisites

The key audience of this workshop ranges from technology integration specialists and trainers to faculty leaders working in English Language Learning environments. Valuable for both researchers and instructors, this workshop brings together the key elements of developing TPACK in ESL environments. Participants should have a functional knowledge of the field of ESL as well as basic grasp of current collaborative technologies and progressive pedagogy. Experienced Technologists and Educators as well as recent graduates are welcome to attend. Laptops and secondary devices will be utilized, so participants should consider their needs.

Experience Level

Intermediate

Qualifications

Phil Boltz is an ESL Instructor and Technology Coordinator at the Ball State University Intensive English Institute. His key functions are to facilitate development of effective and meaningful technology use amongst faculty and graduate assistants as well as ongoing instruction of English Language Learners. He has served as a participant and faculty mentor in the BSU Interactive Learning Space Initiative and was a 2012-2013 Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Fellow. Phil has facilitated technology and pedagogy workshops for INTESOL and Indiana Summer of E-Learning conferences, grant funded delegations of Chinese educators, and the 2013 TESOL Libyan Fulbright scholar delegation for which he taught a 10-week TESOL educational technology seminar. His ongoing research involves project based professional development strategies among in-service teachers. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D in the Ball State University Education Studies Dept and holds an MA in TESOL from Ohio Dominican University

Topics

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