August 8, 2008 Jesness MPS Online Designing Learning Environments for English Language Learners Presented At: MERLOT: Still Blazing the Trail and Meeting New Challenges in the Digital Age MPS Online Designing Online Environments for English Language Learners

August 8, 2008 Jesness MPS Online Designing Learning Environments for English Language Learners Presented At: MERLOT: Still Blazing the Trail and Meeting New Challenges in the Digital Age Background Recent History Quick Study Look at Art and Health Current Work Tools We Use Questions/Comments/Further Dialogue

August 8, 2008 Jesness MPS Online Designing Learning Environments for English Language Learners Presented At: MERLOT: Still Blazing the Trail and Meeting New Challenges in the Digital Age 6th year creating online courses Mission is to support all high school learners in Minneapolis Public Schools Developed in –Ecollege –Blackboard –Urban Planet - Cozmos –Moodle

August 8, 2008 Jesness MPS Online Designing Learning Environments for English Language Learners Presented At: MERLOT: Still Blazing the Trail and Meeting New Challenges in the Digital Age Cozmos environment provided opportunity –Checklists showing all assignments –Building conventions - Units and Modules –Routine Convention for turning in assignments –Visual Cues - graphics

August 8, 2008 Jesness MPS Online Designing Learning Environments for English Language Learners Presented At: MERLOT: Still Blazing the Trail and Meeting New Challenges in the Digital Age Walk Through Quick Case Glance –Art History –Health -

August 8, 2008 Jesness MPS Online Designing Learning Environments for English Language Learners Presented At: MERLOT: Still Blazing the Trail and Meeting New Challenges in the Digital Age Which do you think presents information more clearly? AH H1 Which has fewer chances for vocabulary misunderstanding? AH H1 Which has better contextual clues? Graphics? Text? AH H1 Which involves scaled learning/practice for the learner? AH H1 Which demonstrates cultural connections to the learner? AH H1 Which has emphasis on terms and vocabulary? AH H1 Which has additional barriers for student navigation? AH H1

August 8, 2008 Jesness MPS Online Designing Learning Environments for English Language Learners Presented At: MERLOT: Still Blazing the Trail and Meeting New Challenges in the Digital Age RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING ACTIVITIES FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS FROM National Council of Teachers of English Because English language learning is a recursive and multifaceted process, educators should integrate speaking, reading, and writing skills into instruction from the start Research shows that teachers should pay additional attention to background knowledge, interaction, and word use with ELLs Present ELLs with challenging curricular content Use technology effectively Recognize sociocultural factors Position native languages and home environments as resources English Language Learners, Supplemental Resources for NCTE’s Policy Research Brief,

August 8, 2008 Jesness MPS Online Designing Learning Environments for English Language Learners Presented At: MERLOT: Still Blazing the Trail and Meeting New Challenges in the Digital Age Leverage Cultural Capital –Lessons that foster concept development, practice, and application, –Building background knowledge by providing concrete experiences –Cooperative Interactive Learning –Recognize bilingualism as a social and academic asset “All students benefit from instruction that builds on previous education and experiences, sociocultural background, and differentiates according to language proficiency levels”. Best Practices for English Language Learners, Dr. Emma Violand- Sanchez, Arlington Public Schools, Virginia

August 8, 2008 Jesness MPS Online Designing Learning Environments for English Language Learners Presented At: MERLOT: Still Blazing the Trail and Meeting New Challenges in the Digital Age Current Work in Moodle L: guest1 P:1guest

August 8, 2008 Jesness MPS Online Designing Learning Environments for English Language Learners Presented At: MERLOT: Still Blazing the Trail and Meeting New Challenges in the Digital Age New Tools –Pachyderm –Teacher and Student Podcasts Health /?wosid=6ZmSJywEOQCMl1bxefb6MM /?wosid=6ZmSJywEOQCMl1bxefb6MM Art - Visual Literacy -

August 8, 2008 Jesness MPS Online Designing Learning Environments for English Language Learners Presented At: MERLOT: Still Blazing the Trail and Meeting New Challenges in the Digital Age Final Thoughts –Our concern here has been with presenting content. What we want to make sure we do is check for Student Demonstrated Learning –We will have more Virtual group work Individual and group expressions through podcasts Provide students the ability to build with avatar hosts which richly represent students in simulated contexts Represent themselves in their Eportfolio - Efolio –

August 8, 2008 Jesness MPS Online Designing Learning Environments for English Language Learners Presented At: MERLOT: Still Blazing the Trail and Meeting New Challenges in the Digital Age Questions Comments