Using Technology in Assessment and Instruction

The use of technology can be a wonderful tool to aid in the academic and language development of ELL students. Both instruction and assessments can be improved through the use of technology by providing ELLs with additional ways to practice language, reinforce concepts, and show understanding of content. The usage of a variety of appropriate websites and software programs provide a nearly endless source of sounds, pictures, videos, animation, and multimedia that can help reinforce learning concepts. In addition, the use of technology can provide ELLs with a variety of ways to interact with classmates by working on technology activities together, such as working on a program in pairs, writing and revising a story with a partner, creating project such as a PowerPoint, or responding to an online forum or wiki. Generally, the use of technology may help ELL students to gain an overall deeper understanding of both language and content and provide a way to show knowledge without the use of a paper/pencil test.