Tech Thursdays

Improving Teacher Candidates’ Knowledge and Skills:

English Language Learners in Special Education

Jennifer SamsonSeptember 16th, 2010

Hunter School of Education 2009-2010 End of Program

Survey Data

Of 23 survey items, the lowest rated items were associated with

working with English language learners (43%)

collaborating with students’ families (49%)

working with students with special needs (50%)

Hunter School of Education 2009-2010 End of Program

Survey Data

A TESOL candidate stated, “I also strongly feel that a full semester (at least) should be devoted to the study of disabilities, not just a month. Considering that the number of students with disabilities is rapidly increasing in today's classroom, this should be considered mandatory.”

An English education candidate stated, “I do think that the program would benefit greatly from more instruction on teaching students with special needs and second-language learners. Teachers don't have to be licensed in special ed or ESL to find themselves teaching students with specific needs, and all teachers should be prepared to serve them.”

Hunter School of Education 2009-2010 End of Program

Survey Data

FITT Grant 2010

SPED 704 is a required course in the Learning Disability Program that is designed to provide teacher candidates with knowledge and skills to work with students identified as ELL, SE, or ELLSE.

Currently, it is offered as a one credit course and does not have a fieldwork component.

This project was designed to improve teaching and learning through the use of video case study assignments.

Technology Tools

Digital Video Recorders Frankfort Digital Video Project:

Analysis of Teaching Blackboard IMovie Quicktime Pro Podcasting@hunter.cuny.edu Jing

Student Video Case Studies

Parent Video Case Studies

SPED 704 Course Overview

Week 1 History & Legislation Review of Research Assessment & Identification

Week 2 Literacy Development Strategies Content Area Strategies Family/Social Context

10

Knowledge Domains

Literacy DevelopmentLiteracy Development Language AcquisitionLanguage Acquisition

English Language Learners in Special Education

English Language Learners in Special Education

DisabilityDisability Second Language AcquisitionSecond Language Acquisition

Child Development, Culture, Family Background,

Economics

Child Development, Culture, Family Background,

Economics

Lessons Learned & Next Steps

Create more case studies that include child/parent/teacher videos for more comprehensive case studies.

Provide more specific guidance for teacher prompts.

Conduct research to assess the effect of video case studies on teacher candidates’ knowledge and skills related to ELLSE.

Mentors/Collaborators

Shiao-Chuan Kung Keri Dugan Laura Baecher Anne Ediger Elsa Gutierrez & staff

Thanks!