Technology, if used appropriately, can benefit ELLs. Which of the following activities would be an effective use of technology in the classroom?

Technology, if used appropriately, can benefit ELLs. Which of the following activities would be an effective use of technology in the classroom?

• A. Watch a video explaining a concept learned in class
• B. Assign students individual reading assignments on a personal computer
• C. Assign students a research project and allowing them to use the internet to collect information
• D. Use a calculator to check math problems without explanation

Answer: (C)

Using technology to support language learning works best when it invites students to engage in meaningful tasks that require reading, writing, and speaking. Assigning a research project where students use the internet to collect information is a strong choice because it pushes them to find sources, compare information, take notes, paraphrase ideas in their own words, and present what they’ve learned. This kind of task mirrors real-world work, giving ELLs authentic language practice and digital-literacy skills, while you can scaffold with vocabulary supports, guiding questions, and sentence frames to help them express ideas clearly. The other options can be helpful for certain skills—watching a video supports listening and comprehension, reading assignments on a computer build literacy, and using a calculator helps check math—but they don’t typically require the same depth of language production, synthesis, and articulation of findings that a research project with internet sources does.

Using technology to support language learning works best when it invites students to engage in meaningful tasks that require reading, writing, and speaking. Assigning a research project where students use the internet to collect information is a strong choice because it pushes them to find sources, compare information, take notes, paraphrase ideas in their own words, and present what they’ve learned. This kind of task mirrors real-world work, giving ELLs authentic language practice and digital-literacy skills, while you can scaffold with vocabulary supports, guiding questions, and sentence frames to help them express ideas clearly. The other options can be helpful for certain skills—watching a video supports listening and comprehension, reading assignments on a computer build literacy, and using a calculator helps check math—but they don’t typically require the same depth of language production, synthesis, and articulation of findings that a research project with internet sources does.