Empower English Language Learners With Tools From the Web

"This timely, user-friendly book provides inservice and preservice ESL teachers with the background and tools needed to implement Web 2.0 technologies in their classes today. The ELLs in these classrooms will benefit from learning English (and content) through rich and motivating technologies such as blogs, wikis, podcasts, visual media, social networking, and Second Life. Designed for teachers who need some guidance in using technology as a teaching tool, this handbook is very easy to follow and provides step by step instructions for even the most inexperienced ′digital (non) natives′!" —Holly Hansen-Thomas, Assistant Professor of Bilingual and ESL Education Texas Woman′s University Discover how Web 2.0 tools can advance English language learning! Today′s interactive Web tools offer teachers of English language learners a wealth of opportunities to inspire and motivate their students. This user-friendly, research-based guide shows how the "read/write" Web can enhance classroom learning and extend English language acquisition beyond school hours. Lori Langer de Ramirez, a nationally known expert on ESL teaching and curriculum development, offers strategies for both ESL and mainstream classroom environments. Aligned with national TESOL standards, this resource provides: A step-by-step guide for a wide range of relevant Web tools/activities, from blogs and podcasts to social networking and more Classroom-ready projects designed to benefit learners′ social and academic language development Guidance on how and when to use Web tools with elementary, middle, and high school students Personal narratives from teachers who have successfully used Web tools to teach English language learners Teacher-tested and parent-approved guidelines for safe and appropriate Internet use Support your students in gaining language proficiency and 21st-century skills through working with creative, collaborative Web tools!

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgments About the Author 1. Why Use Web 2.0 Tools With ELLs? Introduction ELLs in Schools: Some Challenges to Consider Why Web 2.0 With ELLs? Preparing ELLs for the 21st Century Web 2.0 and the TESOL Standards Safety Concerns and the Web References Suggested Readings Helpful Web Sites 2. Blogs: Virtual Language Portfolios What Is a Blog? Why Read and Write a Blog With ELLs? How to Use Blogs With ELLs: A Sample Blog Project When to Use Blogs With ELLs Who Is Using Blogs With ELLs? Make Your Own Blog Where to Find More Information About Blogs References Suggested Readings Helpful Web Sites 3. Wikis: Collaboration in a Virtual Space What Is a Wiki? Why Read or Write a Wiki With ELLs? How to Use Wikis With ELLs: A Sample Wiki Project When to Use Wikis With ELLs Who Is Using Wikis With ELLs? Make Your Own Wiki Where to Find More Information About Wikis Suggested Readings Helpful Websites 4. Podcasts: Get them Talking! What Is a Podcast? Why Listen to and Create Podcasts With ELLs? How to Use Podcasts With ELLs: A Sample Podcast Project When to Use Podcasts With ELLs Who is Using Podcasts With ELLs? Make Your Own Podcast Where to Find More Information About Podcasts References Suggested Readings Helpful Web Sites 5. Viewing, Creating, and Sharing Video: YouTube and TeacherTube What Are YouTube and TeacherTube? Why View, Create, and Share Videos With ELLs? How to Use YouTube or TeacherTube With ELLs: Sample YouTube Activities When to Use YouTube and TeacherTube With ELLs Who is Using YouTube and TeacherTube With ELLs? Make Your Own Video Where to Find More Information About YouTube and TeacherTube Suggested Readings Helpful Web Sites 6. Sharing Visual Media: VoiceThread and Flickr What is Visual Media? Why Create and Share Visual Media With ELLs? How to Use VoiceThread and Flickr With ELLs: Digital Storytelling With VoiceThread When to Use VoiceThread and Flickr With ELLs Who is Using VoiceThread With ELLs? Make Your Own VoiceThread Where to Find More Information About VoiceThread and Flickr References Suggested Readings Helpful Web Sites 7. Social Networking: Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter What Is Social Networking? Why Participate in Social Networking With ELLs? How to Use Social Networking Sites With ELLs: A Sample Facebook Lesson When to Use Social Networking With ELLs Who is Using Social Networking With ELLs? Join a Social Networking Site Where to Find More Information About Social Networking Suggested Readings Helpful Web Sites 8. Social Bookmarking: Diigo and Del.icio.us What is Social Bookmarking? Why Participate in Social Bookmarking With ELLs? How to Use Social Bookmarking With ELLs: The Best Social Bookmarking Applications When to Use Social Bookmarking With ELLs Who is Using Social Bookmarking With ELLs? Make Your Own Social Bookmarking Page Where to Find More Information About Social Bookmarking Suggested Readings Helpful Web Sites 9. Virtual Worlds: Panwapa and Teen Second Life What Is a Virtual World? Why Participate in Virtual Worlds With ELLs? How to Use Virtual Worlds With ELLs: Sample Virtual Worlds Lesson When to Visit Virtual Worlds With ELLs Who is Visiting Virtual Worlds With ELLs? Join the Virtual World Where to Find More Information About Virtual Worlds Suggested Readings Helpful Web Sites Index

About the Author :
Lori Langer de Ramirez began her career as a teacher of Spanish, French, and ESL. She is currently the chairperson of the ESL and World Language Department for Herricks Public Schools. Langer de Ramirez is the author of Take Action: Lesson Plans for the Multicultural Classroom and Voices of Diversity: Stories, Activities and Resources for the Multicultural Classroom (Pearson), as well as several Spanish-language books and texts (Cuéntame – Folklore y Fábulas and Mi abuela ya no está). She has contributed to many textbooks and written numerous articles about second-language pedagogy and methodology. Her interactive Web site (www.miscositas.com) offers teachers over 40 virtual picturebooks, videos, wiki and blog links, and other curricular materials for teaching Chinese, English, French, Indonesian, Italian, Spanish, and Thai. In the past decade, Langer de Ramirez has presented over 50 workshops, staff development trainings, and addresses at local, regional, and national conferences and in schools throughout the United States (Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington DC) and abroad (Puerto Rico, Thailand, Venezuela). She is the recipient of the Nelson Brooks Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Culture; several National Endowment for the Humanities grants for study in Mexico, Colombia, and Senegal; and a Fulbright Award to India and Nepal. Her areas of research and curriculum development are multicultural and diversity education, folktales in the language classroom, and technology in language teaching. She holds a master′s degree in applied linguistics and a doctorate in curriculum and teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University.

Review :
"This timely, user-friendly book provides inservice and preservice ESL teachers with the background and tools needed to implement Web 2.0 technologies in their classes today. The ELLs in these classrooms will benefit from learning English (and content) through rich and motivating technologies such as blogs, wikis, podcasts, visual media, social networking, and Second Life. Designed for teachers who need some guidance in using technology as a teaching tool, this handbook is very easy to follow and provides step-by-step instructions for even the most inexperienced ‘digital (non)natives’!" "An excellent overview of the potential of Web 2.0 for ESL and other language teachers or administrators who are new to using Web tools. This book offers concrete suggestions, addresses concerns about using certain tools with younger learners, and provides alternatives for the K-12 setting when appropriate. If you want a resource that will help you determine which of the powerful Web 2.0 tools are best for your setting, then this book is for you!" "This book provides great examples for teachers looking to enhance their practice through technology. These strategies can help not only English language learners, but ALL students!" "Teachers and students are increasingly separated by a technological divide. This quick read will bridge that divide. Nineteenth-century schools cannot effectively prepare 21st-century students. After this quick read, teachers will be ready to jump into Web 2.0 technology with skills every student will envy." "I thought the examples and stories that are presented throughout the text were great. Showing how people have used these technologies successfully with ELL students is very motivating and encouraging for the reader." "Fills a niche for technology rich communities striving to meet the instructional and social needs of ELL students."