PD Resources
Course Offered by UW-Madison Colleagues of WIDA
WIDA regularly collaborates with our educational colleagues at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Early in its "idea stage" of development, WIDA offered input on a new offering that might be of interest throughout the WIDA Consortium, particularly geared toward teachers with little background in ELL/bilingual education. The following course offers transferrable graduate credits for in-practice teachers.
The Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is pleased to offer a new online course: Educating English Learners.
This course is designed to support preK-12 educators--teachers, support staff, and administrators--who are making decisions as to program and staffing designs, support services and resources, and educational approaches for English learners. Based on a sociocultural view of schooling for English learners, it draws on the lives and experiences of 5 students from diverse backgrounds in different locales to illuminate issues that impact the language, literacy and academic development of English learners in schools. Through viewing videos of students, readings, collaborative discussions and activities, course participants will engage in analyses of issues, and applications of course content to their specific sites and contexts.
To learn more, including dates, cost, and objectives, please download the course flyer.
You may preview a trailer of the course videos (Note: The videos are offered in high resolution and low resolution formats. It is recommended that you try to view the high res format for a clear view of all text and graphics. If you have trouble with the high res format, please try the low res format.)
This course can be taken for 3 graduate-level credits or as a non-credit offering. It is intended for teachers, staff, and administrators who are currently practicing in schools. It will be offered in the Fall semester of 2010 and spring semester of 2011. For registration information or questions, please contact Lisa Hebgen, Education Outreach & Partnerships, at lmhebgen@wisc.edu, or 608-263-0951.
Recommended Literature
Volume I - Teacher Education and professional Development for Mainstream Teachers of English Language Learners
Volume II - Annotated Bibliography
Volume III - State Requirements for Pre-service Teachers of ELLs
This is a comprehensive, free, downloadable report to assist anyone interested in understanding and working with English Language Learners. Volume I is the most practical, focusing on the background and demographics of ELLs with an emphasis on the rationale for addressing the challenges facing this demographic. There is a section on program development and the criteria for teacher education and professional development programs based on nationally-accepted standards; and there is a discussion of the content to be included for working with the ELL population, such as second language processes and competencies, curriculum and instruction issues (e.g., standards alignment, how to access subject matter content, differentiation, academic vocabulary, print literacy, technology) and culture.
Volume II is a straightforward and valuable annotated bibliography covering several areas integral to understanding ELLs: demographic information, attitudes and beliefs of teachers, teacher preparation, programs, state and district-level professional development, second language acquisition, cross-cultural communication, literacy, social studies, science, math, assessment, and early childhood.
Volume III provides a brief description of the pre-service state requirements for teaching ELLs in the K-12 context.
In summary, the Roundtable Report is an excellent resource for administrators, mainstream educators, practitioners and those interested in becoming well-versed in exploring and becoming knowledgeable in working with English Language Learners.
WIDA Presentation Videos
The following presentations given by WIDA Executive Director Tim Boals (tjboals@wisc.edu) on April 4, 2006 are available for personal and/or group use.
These presentations address the needs of educators who are supporting English Language Learners academically and linguistically, and outline the best practices for promoting the academic achievement of ELLs.
Comprehensive School Reform for English Language Learners (ELLs)
Key Elements of Good Language Objectives
Meeting the Academic Needs of English Language Learners (ELLs)
Teaching Language Through Content
Background