English Language Arts

## Contents

* 1 Using ICTs to promote English language Arts learning
* 2 Problems
* 3 Role of ICTs
* 4 Obstacles
* 5 Works cited

## Using ICTs to promote English language Arts learning[edit | edit source]

Cheryl Walsh, Memorial University of Newfoundland

## Problems[edit | edit source]

Smith (2013) identified a number of challenges associated with teaching English Language Arts in K-12 school settings that included not only what to teach students but also how to keep students motivated throughout the learning experience. Teachers spend a considerable amount of time marking English assessments therefore there is an increased length of time for when students receive feedback (Tay, Lim, Lim, & Koh, 2012). There is also a challenge when you have students with mixed abilities in the same class (McGrail, 2005). Added to these challenges is the emphasis that writing is not just an individual project-based activity but a "social, process-oriented activity that stresses critical relationship between writing and other language processes, such as reading, speaking, and listening" (McKenney & Voogt, 2011, p.709). Teachers also need to consider the relationship that exists between "readers, writers, texts, contexts, and the situations in which texts are written and read" (Swenson, Rozema, & Young, 2005). Traditionally, curriculum has centered on the printed text (Young, Long, & Myers, 2010) and students' study of literacy and language was teacher driven primarily occurring in the classroom or as an independent study at home (Swenson, Rozema, & Young, 2005). English educators also face challenges of figuring which textual forms to include in instruction and prioritizing the attention given to the various forms (Young, Long, & Myers, 2010).

Other challenges with face-to-face learning in Language Arts include students with language-based disabilities, expressive and receptive language issues, and those who are too timid and refuse to speak in English class (Cumming, & Rodriguez, 2013). In addition, some students have poor critical thinking skills, difficulty verbalizing and sharing their ideas through their writing and anxiety with learning English (Foulger & Jimenez-Silva, 2007). As well, complex tasks sometimes cause frustration as students must pay attention to "topic organization, grammatical correctness, vocabulary, word choice, genre principles and sentence variety" (Foulger & Jimenez-Silva, 2007, p. 110).

## Role of ICTs[edit | edit source]

Information and communications technology (ICT) provide a variety of language learning activities ranging from "repetitive language drills, text creation and reconstruction through word processors, literature to electronic journaling and videoconferencing for cultural communication exchanges" (Lin, Lee, & Chen, 2004, p. 135). Using technology such as emails, listservs, blogs, text messages, videoconferences, podcasts and cell phones allows students to communicate with the world outside of school (Swenson, 2006).

Technology and multimedia publishing programs such as PowerPoint, Word, KidPix and web authoring software have allowed students to draft, revise, edit, and publish and have also allowed them to add meaning to their text by "complementing it with graphics, student drawings, sound, voice, and video" (Foulger & Jimenez-Silva, 2007, p. 119). ICTs improve students' spelling and grammar when they use word processing and multimedia tools (Tay, Lim, Lim, & Koh, 2012). Reading digital texts expanded students' vocabulary and the use of the Internet for guided reading engages students more than the printed word (McNab, 2005). Andrews et al. (2007) also found that computer use resulted in more writing, with more words and sentences per assignment, than when assignments were handwritten. The use of iPads, with its wide variety of applications, provides support to students with disabilities in the area of language acquisition, communication, fine motor skills, education and behavior (Cumming, Draper Rodriguez, 2013).

Andrews, Freeman, and Hou (2007) reported that the use of software gave students' self-esteem as writers. IPad recordings at home allow students who were previously shy and refused to speak in English class an opportunity to complete their work, which then allows teachers to monitor their progress without forcing them to speak in class (Cumming, Draper Rodriguez, 2013). Cumming et al. (2013) also identified that students found iPads easy to use, required less preparation time, increased their communication speed, and allowed them to work independently.

The use of wikis in the classroom allows students to work in a collaborative environment where they can research, talk, and reflect on the daily classroom dialogue which reinforces the classroom activities and extends the classroom discussions (Matthew, Felvegi, & Callaway, 2009). The development of media products promotes individual and collective learning as well as establishes a sense of community within the classroom that helps to bridge social boundaries and class barriers (McKenney & Voogt, 2011). McGrail (2007) reported that certain technologies such as video conferencing, online chats, online interviews with authors, and panel discussions could be used to develop critical thinking and to support an exchange of ideas with peers. Through multimedia publications, students present information at a higher level than they would have with just text therefore allowing those students receiving the written communications to comprehend at higher levels (Foulger & Jimenez-Silva, 2007).

## Obstacles[edit | edit source]

McGrail (2007) reported negative outcomes of computer use such as student difficulty with formal writing since they tended to use online conventions such as the "complete elimination of any capital letters, the use of slang, and lots of misspellings". McGrail (2007) expressed concern that students might lose the ability to express themselves with acceptable language conventions. However, (Foulger and Jimenez-Silva (2007) reported that "multimedia and telecommunications captured student interest by offering more opportunities for collaboration and interaction" (p. 118) which motivated them to go beyond what was required. Cumming and Draper Rodriguez (2013) reported student success with the use of iPads for learning English since students used them as portable dictionaries.

Cumming and Draper Rodriguez (2013) reported that some students got bored with using the Language Builder application. Lin, Lee, and Chen (2004) however reported that online puzzles and appropriate language arts games can be used in the writing classroom to keep students engaged.

According to McNab (2005), students who struggled with spatial processing, and attention/memory problems experienced difficulty reading hypertext. Cumming and Draper Rodriguez (2013) identified the effectiveness of the iPod touch and the iPad for reading difficulties. They found these ICTs used for audio textbooks allowed students to locate words more quickly and to hear words pronounced correctly.

McGrail (2005) identified a need for students to develop critical literacy skills where they needed to learn to sort out what is a good source of information. Smith (2013) noted that when technology was integrated well, digital fabrication could provide students with an opportunity to engage in hands-on discovery learning.

## Works cited[edit | edit source]

Andrews, R., Freeman, A., & Hou, D. (2007). The effectiveness of information and communication technology on the learning of written English for 5- to 16-year-olds. British Journal of Educational Technology, 38(2), 325-336. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8535.2006.00628.x

Bruce, D. (2010). Composing with DV in English language arts teacher education. English Teaching: Practice and Critique, 9(1), 114-124.

Cumming, T., & Draper Rodriguez, C. (2013). Integrating the iPad into language arts instruction for students with disabilities: engagement and perspectives. Journal of Special Education Technology, 28(4), 43-52.

Foulger T, Jimenez-Silva, M. (2007). Enhancing the writing development of English language learners: teacher perceptions of common technology in project-based learning. Journal of Research in Childhood Education [serial online]. Winter 2007; 22(2):109-124.

Harbusch, K., Itsova, G., Koch, U., & Kühner, C. (2008). The sentence fairy: a natural-language generation system to support children's essay writing. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 21(4), 339-352. doi:10.1080/09588220802343496

Ho, C. L., Nelson, M., & Müeller-Wittig, W. (2011). Design and implementation of a student-generated virtual museum in a language curriculum to enhance collaborative multimodal meaning-making. Computers and Education, 57(1), 1083-1097. doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2010.12.003

Kajder, S. (2005). "Not quite teaching for real: preservice secondary English teachers' use of technology in the Reid following the completion of an instructional technology methods course. Journal of Computing in Teacher Education, 22(1), 15-21

Kajder, S. (2006). In search of the technology-using English teacher: a response to Swenson, Rozma, Young, McGrail, and Whitin. Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education, 6(1)

Lantz-Andersson, A., Vigmo, S., & Bowen, R. (2013). Crossing boundaries in Facebook: students' framing of language learning activities as extended spaces. International Journal of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning, 8(3), 293-312. doi:10.1007/s11412-013-9177-0

Lee, Y. (2010). Developing computer programming concepts and skills via technology-enriched language-art projects: a case study. Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia, 19(3), 307-326.

Lin, J., Lee, G. C., & Chen, H. (2004). Exploring potential uses of ICT in Chinese language arts instruction: eight teachers' perspectives. Computers and Education, 42(2), 133-148. doi:10.1016/S0360-1315(03)00068-X

Matthew, K. I., Felvegi, E., & Callaway, R. A. (2009). Wiki as a collaborative learning tool in a language arts methods class. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 42(1), 51-72.

McGrail, E. (2005). Teachers, technology, and change: English teachers' perspectives. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, 13(1), 5-24.

McGrail, E. (2007). Laptop technology and pedagogy in the English language arts classroom. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, 15(1), 59-85.

Mckenney, S., & Voogt, J. (2011). Facilitating digital video production in the language arts curriculum. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 27(4), 709-726

McNabb, M. L. (2005). Raising the bar on technology research in English language arts. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 38(1), 113-119.

Pasternak, D. L. (2007). Is technology used as practice? A survey analysis of preservice English teachers‘ perceptions and classroom practices. Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education, 7(3), 140-157.

Ray, B. B., & Coulter, G. A. (2008). Reflective practices among language arts teachers: the use of weblogs. Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education, 8(1), 6-26.

Rüschoff, B., & Ritter, M. (2001). Technology-enhanced language learning: Construction of Knowledge and Template-Based Learning in the Foreign language classroom. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 14(3/4), 219.

Savage, R. S., Erten, O., Abrami, P., Hipps, G., Comaskey, E., & Van Lierop, D.(2010). ABRACADABRA in the hands of teachers: the effectiveness of a web-based literacy intervention in grade 1 language arts programs. Computers and Education, 55(2), 911-922. doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2010.04.002

Smith, S. (2013). Through the teacher's eyes: unpacking the TPACK of digital fabrication integration in middle school language arts. Journal Of Research on Technology in Education (International Society For Technology in Education), 46(2), 207-227.

Swenson, J. (2006). Technology and English education. Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education, 6(2)

Swenson, J., Rozema, R., & Young, C. A. (2005). Beliefs about technology and the preparation of English teachers: beginning the conversation. Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education, 5(3/4)

Tay, L. T., Lim, S. K., Lim, C. P., & Koh, J. (2012). Pedagogical approaches for ICT integration into primary school English and mathematics: A Singapore case study. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 28(4), 740-754.

Vurdien, R. (2013). Enhancing writing skills through blogging in an advanced English as a foreign language class in Spain. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 26(2), 126-143. doi:10.1080/09588221.2011.639784

Yang, Y. C., & Chan, C. (2008). Comprehensive evaluation criteria for English learning websites using expert validity surveys. Computers and Education, 51(1), 403-422. doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2007.05.011

Young, C. A., Long, S., & Myers, J. (2010). Editorial: enhancing English language arts education with digital video. Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education, 10(1).