ELL

General Information

During eLearning days, English Language Learner teachers will help support engaging, universally designed learning environments and assist in making sure eLearning lessons follow accommodations. Students and teachers will not meet in the classroom or school building for typical classroom instruction, but will conduct lessons virtually. For more information on expectations, planning tips, resources, and more, view the sections below.

Goal & Expectations

ELL teachers are expected to help meet students' needs on an eLearning day. Per state requirements, student IEPs, 504 plans, ELL needs, and other accommodations must be upheld on eLearning days. It is advised that ELL teachers work with general education and special education teachers to provide appropriate work for ELL students.

ELL teachers, like general education teachers, are required to post learning objectives and resources for students at 9 am. This can be a simple checklist of work that the students need to complete for the day or other activities that would typically take place during class time that you would spend with your students. ELL teachers, like general education teachers, must also be available from 9 am to 3 pm for office hours to answer student questions, provide feedback, and offer assistance.

Implementing the UDL guidelines can also help all students be successful on eLearning days. When giving students instructions on itslearning for an eLearning day, include video or audio recordings of the instructions whenever possible, options in resources available to complete an assignment, and options in the activities that can be completed to show an understanding of the eLearning lesson goal(s).

How: Itslearning Tips

Like general education teachers, ELL teachers must utilize itslearning on eLearning days to support students in reaching learning objectives. ELL teachers, however, may use itslearning differently than general education classroom teachers. For tips on how you can utilize itslearning to track student work, create plans, and provide guidance, view the video above and/or the slide deck below.

If you notice that your profile is set up incorrectly in itslearning and you do not have the "Admin" tab available, please submit a 360 Facility work order request so that your profile can be adjusted.

Tools within itslearning and outside of itslearning can help further Universal Design for Learning (UDL) on an eLearning day. BCSC teachers are expected to implement UDL and provide options to learners on eLearning days just as during a normal school day. Below are resources to help further UDL implementation for an eLearning day using both itslearning resources and resources outside of itslearning. If an outside resource is going to be used on an eLearning day, students MUST know how to access, login, or navigate the resource in advance. An eLearning day is not the ideal moment to try a new website or curriculum resource-be sure to carefully examine resources beforehand and share login information with students in advance.

Image of UDL Guidelines courtesy of CAST.

Professional Development and Training

Katie Novak (UDL Expert) and Corie Williams (BCSC UDL Facilitator) presented a session at the 2018 BCSC UDL Institute over eLearning. A recording of their session as well as their slidedeck can be located on itslearning, the BCSC Connect course,

Communicating with Students and Families

Before an eLearning day, teachers need to be sure that all students, parents, guardians, families, and stakeholders are aware of how the teacher plans to communicate assignments and information on an eLearning day. It is up to the teacher's discretion on what messaging/communication platform best fits the needs of the students.

If families speak different languages and need assistance, please direct families to the Bilingual Department: 812-343-5957.

The BCSC Hotline will also have translators available to assist families. The Hotline can be reached at 812-418-0252.

Resources to share with parents/guardians/families:

Planning for Success

  • Practice! Host a mock eLearning lesson. Make sure your students know where to find lessons and ask for help within itslearning.

  • Develop a communication game plan in advance of an eLearning day. Be sure students and families know the best ways to get in contact with you.

  • Send home important login information for resources that you anticipate using on eLearning days (curriculum resources, websites, etc.) before an eLearning day.

  • Follow the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework when designing your online environment. Provide optionsm for engagement, representation, and action/expression.

  • Include your voice in your lessons! Use the audio and video recording options on the itslearning rich text editor to record yourself.

  • Plan high tech, low tech, and no tech options for your learners on an eLearning day (tip sheet). Providing options in learning activities can help to ensure most students, no matter their technology situation, can complete the lessons.

  • Communicate with students through itslearning, email, Remind text alerts, etc. on an eLearning day in a timely manner-roughly 30-45 minutes after they have posed a question.

  • Be creative and think outside the box! Not all learning activities and "show what you know" activities must be created on a device. Think about items, resources, or activities students can do around the house, record, and then share with you.

  • Be flexible. Students may work on eLearning objectives at any time after they have been posted.

Need help developing lessons for eLearning days or have questions? Contact Brenny Kummer, Coordinator of Instructional Technology via email: kummerb@bcsc.k12.in.us.

If you experience difficulty on an eLearning day, contact the BCSC eLearning Hotline at 812-418-0252.

Bilingual department: 812-343-5957