Widespread distribution of English language learner (ELL) students (Capps et al., 2002, 2005) and growth of ELL rural populations (Johnson & Strange, 2007) present challenges to school districts with limited resources and infrastructure for serving ELL students. At the same time, improvements in Internet access and online technology (Trotter, 2007), even in rural areas, offer access to expertise where none is available locally. Thus, a number of districts with emerging ELL communities are beginning to access educational software and online programs to assist in the instruction of ELL students, particularly in classrooms where the teachers are newly working with ELL students. This project will address the need in the Appalachia region for information on the implementation of software and online programs for instruction of ELL students, focusing on the following research questions: (1) What are the uses of technology-based resources for English language learners in districts? (2) How do districts support or hinder the use of technology-based resources for instruction of ELLs? (3) What types of data are available to district administrators in reporting on use of technology-based resources? The research will involve an examination of available literature and informational site visits to nine districts to guide the development of a summary report on the findings and the design of a district-level survey that states can administer to gain key data on use of technology-based resources for ELL students in their districts.
Implementation of Technology-Based Resources for Instruction of English Language Learners 