Module 1: Things You Need to Know
Before getting into the content for this week, there are a few items that need to be addressed. First prepare your computer to view the various types of media that this course may contain. Click here to test that your computer has the necessary plug-ins to view video and flash interactives. This course may contain links to video and/or articles that are pertinent to the course content but are located on commercial websites. Broward Virtual University does not endorse in whole or in part any product or service offered or promoted by any of these commercial websites.
In Week 7 you will encounter the Projector icon at the right. The icon indicates that there is a video relating to the content. Clicking on the icon will launch the video. Be sure that you don't miss these video opportunities.
No matter if this is your first online course or you are an experienced online learner, your online experience will benefit from reviewing the Start Here section of the course. Once you have started the course, if you need to review any of the information, you can access the Start Here menu by clicking Home. Click on the Help button to obtain assistance if you experience any technical difficulties.
Please review the information found in the Instructional Strategies That Work section. This Instructional Strategies That Work resource section contains a plethora of important information for addressing the needs of students with different learning styles, particularly students with disabilities, students with special learning needs (including gifted and talented students) and students with limited English proficiency. It is imperative that we identify early and appropriate interventions to help students learn and that improve student behavior in the classroom. Take some time to read the best practices strategies that will enhance your teaching as you differentiate instruction.
Some of the information you will learn throughout the course can be shared with parents as they assist their children in the learning process. The icon at the left indicates such information. We need to keep in mind that parents are our students’ first teachers.
Each week you will have content to read and assigned tasks to complete. An assignment matrix is provided so you will know what is expected to successfully complete this course. ALL course requirements must be completed independently by the participant and not plagiarized from any other source or person.
The standards covered in this course include:
Standard 1: Assessment Issues for ELLs
Teachers will understand and apply knowledge of assessment issues as they affect the learning of ELLs from diverse backgrounds and at varying English proficiency levels. Examples include cultural and linguistic bias; testing in two languages; sociopolitical and psychological factors; special education testing and assessing giftedness; the importance of standards; the difference between formative and summative assessment; and the difference between language proficiency and other types of assessment (e.g., standardized achievement tests). Teachers will also understand issues around accountability. This includes the implications of standardized assessment as opposed to performance-based assessments, and issues of accommodations in formal testing situations.
Standard 2: Language Proficiency Assessment
Teachers will appropriately use and interpret a variety of language proficiency assessment instruments to meet district, state, and federal guidelines, and to inform their instruction. Teachers will understand their uses for identification, placement, and demonstration of language growth of ELLs from diverse backgrounds and at varying English proficiency levels. Teachers will articulate the appropriateness of ELL assessments to stakeholders.
Standard 3: Classroom-Based Assessment for ELLs
Teachers will identify, develop, and use a variety of standards- and performance-based, formative and summative assessment tools and techniques to inform instruction and assess student learning. Teachers will understand their uses for identification, placement, and demonstration of language growth of ELLs from diverse backgrounds and at varying English proficiency levels. Teachers will articulate the appropriateness of ELL assessments to stakeholders.
The performance indicators for each week can be found under the Weekly Objectives.
This course may contain links to video and/or articles that are pertinent to the course content but are located on commercial websites. Broward Virtual University does not endorse in whole or in part any product or service offered or promoted by any of these commercial websites.
