Reading Prompt #4

Communication and collaboration is very important in an ELL classroom because that is how the language is learned. In my 5th grade bilingual classroom we are set up in small collaborative learning groups. This allows for the students to communicate with one another (during appropriate times) and problem solving occurs on a daily basis. Egbert mentioned that ELLs are able to use the language appropriately and also take advantage of modeling of the target language from their mainstream and bilingual peers. This is also a great opportunity for my ELLs to discover the language at their own pace and comfort level (comprehensible input).


The ideas that I gained from the Egbert chapter about computers and technology are the set-up of computer labs. Unfortunately, our computer lab is set-up in the individual usage fashion and can currently only be used by the lower grades because of the Reading First Grant. But, in the future we do plan to utilize the classroom for curriculum extensions.

Another idea I gained from the chapter was the interaction in the one computer classroom. I currently have 3 Dell computers and 1 Apple computer (basically used for AR & STAR testing), and all have Internet access. Egbert mentioned that this was beneficial for students because they are allowed to work cooperatively without barriers, the technology is available at any time and most importantly the teacher can monitor the students work.