Calgary Board of Education

• Assistive Technologies
• Moving to Accessibility
• Improving Student Achievement
• Collaboration and Networking
• Assistive Technology Projects
• Text-to-Speech
• Speech-to-Text
• Optical Character Recognition Project
• Communication Project
• Designing Web Based Instruction Project
• Integrated Infrared Sound Amplification Project
• mLearning and ESL
• AlphaSmart Neo Project
• Success Stories
• Assistive Technology Mini Conference 2008
• Assistive Technology Toolkits
• Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
• Learning & Literacy Program Initiative

Assistive Technology and mLearning:
Supporting English as a Second Language Learners

Curriculum and Learning Technologies of the CBE is leading this project in response to the call for the One-to-One Computing Initiative in Alberta Schools. This project focuses on enhancing teaching and learning for ESL students through the deployment of one-to-one mobile learning devices.

The One to One Laptop (wmv) video showcases ESL students using one-to-one laptops at Monterey Park, Tom Baines & Henry Wise Wood Schools. Students, Teachers, Administrators and Technical Support personnel share their perspectives in Year One of this 3 year initiative.

The city of Calgary is the fourth largest recipient of immigrants in Canada. The Calgary Board of Education receives over 50% of all coded ESL students in the province of Alberta, comprising over 20% (nearly 20 000 students) of the total student population. The numbers of ESL students continues to grow and is increasingly diversified (over 140 languages are spoken). Schools within the CBE are striving to reduce the gap between ESL learners and regular students, as well as improving High School completion rates. Educators are increasingly seeking innovative ways in meeting the needs of this unique student population.

Assistive technology software and other existing technology solutions will be employed to improve learning in three Calgary Board of Education schools. Monterey Park Elementary School has a significant population of ESL learners (499 students - 72% of student population), Tom Baines Junior High School has 211 ESL students and is designated as an ESL Centre of Inquiry providing leadership and PD, and Henry Wise Wood Senior High School offers Level 1 – 5 programming and an ESL Transition Class serving severe and at-risk ESL learners. Identified students in grades four, seven and ten will be involved in this initiative. Provincial Achievement Test results from grade three, grade six and grade nine would provide baseline data in the areas of reading and writing.

By tracking student use of these devices over a three year period, significant longitudinal research data would be obtained in determining impact on student learning and in driving systemic change. In addition, information would be gathered on the practice of teachers who are engaged in designing learning experiences using mobile computing devices, assistive technology and existing technologies in their daily teaching practice.

Alberta Education's emerge Wireless Learning Project http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/technology/emerge/

For additional information contact Pauline Auld, Assistive Technology Specialist

 

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