Kaydian Matthews - American College of Education - TEL5091 - Capstone Experience for Teaching English Learners- Sunday, August 4, 2019

1. Running head: ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTION
Original Contribution
Kaydian Matthews
TEL5091 - Capstone Experience for Teaching English Learners
American College of Education
Dr. Katrina Landa
August 4, 2019

2. Running head: ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTION
Introduction
I have been a high school teacher for thirteen years. I have taught English Language,
French and Spanish. I transitioned to the USA after teaching in Jamaica for 8 years. I worked
with students in the ESOL department in a charter school in South Carolina. That experience was
the deciding factor four years later to begin my Masters in Teaching English learners at ACE
after originally decided to do a Masters of Arts in Spanish. I have always been intrigued with
technology but being in a classroom in a third world country especially in the inner city,
Kingston, you do not have those luxuries. The school had limited number of projectors and I had
to make an appointment when I needed it (that is if any was still available). Some teachers would
actually purchase their own which is far more money than what they got for books and supply
for the entire year. There were about five computer labs and of course, this was to serve over one
hundred teachers in the school.
Communication and Collaboration
Fast forward to teaching in the USA, technology has played a great role in my life for the
last 5 years and has helped my students tremendously to learn in a fun and easy way in the
classroom. According to Roblyer (2003) as cited by Lavin, Korte and Davies (n.d), the learner
may become more actively involved in his or her own learning when technology is used. Based
on my observations daily, it has improved their educational experience especially with their one
to one device every day in class. Opportunities were expanded with regards to collaboration and
communication as they worked together as a class or in small groups. Therefore, as a result of
this, I chose to research using technology tools to enhance English Language learners’ academic
achievement.

3. Running head: ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTION
Assessment
Assessment became easier for me as a teacher, as I had the means of providing instant
feedback such as using Microsoft forms to assess the students’ progress and get instant feedback
by designing quizzes to share with the class. I enjoyed using Kahoot and Quizzes as well and
students usually ask every day when they enter the room if we would be using them for that day
as they are learning and competing in a fun way.
Conclusion
Technology has become a way of life in the teaching and learning process. The onus is on
us as educators to use it effectively to improve our lessons. In the end, it is a huge benefit for our
students as they are presented with choices and opportunities to distribute information to a wider
extent other than the classroom. This helps with their learning and growth.

4. Running head: ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTION
Reference
Lavin, A. M., Korte, L., & Davies, T. L. (n.d.). The impact of classroom technology on student
behavior. Retrieved August 4, 2019, from https://www.aabri.com/manuscripts/10472.pdf