PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS’ BELIEFS ABOUT TEACHING ESOL STUDENTS IN MAINSTREAM CLASSROOMS

During the last several decades, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of English language learners (ELLs) entering American educational settings. One result in the changing demographics of K-12 settings is the stark contrast between the backgrounds of learners found in the classroom settings and their educators. This has resulted in many pre-service teachers being inadequately prepared to meet the unique learning needs of their future learners (Eisenhardt, Besnoy, & Steel, 2012). Therefore, the purpose of this research was to develop an understanding of pre-service teachers’ beliefs in regards to their abilities to effectively teach ELLs. Analyses of this research revealed significant differences between pre-service teachers who have and have not completed English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) coursework. Pre-service teachers also reported linguistic barriers as the greatest barrier faced when educating ELLs

Facilitating Online Collaboration and the Development of Digital Communities

This discussion focuses on the utility of two unique Web 2.0 tools designed to elicit more interaction among students and to increase learning outcomes while instructing at a distance. While Web 1.0 could be described as that iteration of the World Wide Web that focused simply on making information accessible, the philosophy of Web 2.0 applications is based upon user-centered designs and the proliferation of volunteer collaboration. Fortunately, the explosion of Web 2.0 technologies and social networking platforms have provided a wide array of applications uniquely suited to addressing distance education challenges. We discuss the application of two Web 2.0 technologies, VoiceThread and LibraryThing, believed to support instructors\u27 social presence, learners’ engagement, and course learning outcomes

Case Study Method to Increase Preservice Teachers\u27 Experience with ELL Accommodations and Self-Efficacy

The enrollment of English language learners (ELLs) in American public schools continues to increase each year. The substantial growth in this population of learners makes it imperative for future educators to understand how to effectively support ELLs’ acquisition of academic content and English language proficiency. In past studies, preservice teachers have reported lower levels of self-efficacy when supporting these learners. This investigation examines how case study approaches can be utilized with preservice teachers to understand how they recommend strategies/accommodations for ELLs and their levels of self-efficacy in implementing these instructional approaches. Findings from this research suggest case studies are effective in increasing self-efficacy and knowledge, as preservice teachers were able to describe appropriate accommodations needed to support their future ELLs

Deployments to Diplomas: An Examination of Academic Motivation among Military Dependents using Self-Determination Theory

Using self-determination theory, the academic motivation of college students from deployed military families was examined. Implementing a case study methodology, interviews with 14 college students were transcribed and coded using a theory-driven rubric to identify their needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Each case was analyzed for one’s self-determination regulatory style (external, introjected, integrated, or identified). The need for relatedness was the most prevalent in the data and the majority of cases exhibited regulatory styles consistent with introjected motivation