Tech for ELL and designated learners

• Immersion does not work, need tools to be supported, if a student can’t show intellect they will give up
• BC 2nd highest immigrant population

Top tools for ELL learners:

Google translate

• Google translate main way of communicating with students, works well
• WT2 translate
• Google translate app has more features than online version, writing/talking/typing/visuals, translate and speak it out (good for young learners who can’t read), can download a whole language for offline use, hard to use when class is noisy or student is quiet, available on android
• Google camera takes photo of text- translate right away over top

• Can use subtitle feature and it will listen to you and translate into another language
• Hot tip: Microsoft has a whole website on how you can use their apps for accessibility

Top tools for designated learners:

• Common tool for non-verbal and students on autism spectrum
• Can personalize using own photos, success determined by individual using them and EAs knowledge of app
• Fluidity can be lost when the screen doesn’t lock to simulate real conversation

• Takes a sentence they may not understand and it will simplify the words in it and break down meaning

General tips for teachers using tech in their classroom

• As teacher use video modelling for instructions and routines
• Use daily schedule apps and record voice over,
• Portable, digital schedules they can carry around whole school
• Introduce visuals slowly and use often
• Universal Design for Learning, teach all students about the technologies to increase community engagement and limit isolation of designated students’ with just their EA