Welcome
This module introduces educators and other interested stakeholders to an important idea in working with English learners: cultural competence. Cultural competence for teachers is defined as “the ability to successfully teach students who come from different cultures other than your own” (Diller & Moule, 2005, p.2). (est. completion time: 2.5-3 hours).
Welcome!
Welcome to the Enhancing Evidence-Based Practices for English Learners series in the Ohio Literacy Library! We present eight modules in this series, all of which are geared towards educators and other interested stakeholders who want to further their knowledge and skills in pursuit of an equitable society where learners’ cultural, linguistic, and ethnic identities are honored and validated.
English learners (ELs) are by far the fastest-growing student population nationwide. Yet, they are an underserved student group, who deserve equal opportunities and access to resources to achieve academic success. It is our intention, therefore, to provide educators with opportunities to reflect on their teaching practices and explore ways in which they can help ELs see themselves as well as others a valued part of the world. To this end, we will be covering a range of topics in this series to help you (1) understand ELs’ diverse needs and strengths and (2) serve them better in your classrooms, schools, and communities. Thank you for being an advocate for ELs who, thanks to your dedication, will go on to enrich our communities and shape our nation.
Prerequisites
None.
Module Description
This module introduces an important idea in working with English learners (ELs): cultural competence, defined as “the ability to successfully teach students who come from different cultures other than your own” (Diller & Moule, 2005, p.2). Cultural competence is essential to successful teaching of all students and ELs in particular as it represents an approach to working with students, which respects the cultural and linguistic backgrounds of their families and communities. This module will
- increase your understanding of the backgrounds and needs of ELs
- help you gain awareness of a variety of differences and strengths that ELs bring to enrich our schools and communities
- introduce ways to successfully incorporate those differences as well as strengths in the classroom.
Learning Objectives
Describe the demographics and diversity of ELs in Ohio
Identify the various needs of ELs and different ways to meet those needs
Define what a culturally responsive educator is
Gain insights into culturally relevant/responsive teaching approaches that validate ELs' lived experiences
Course Navigation, Design, and Policies
Throughout each course, you will see a Course Outline with a green ribbon and the title of the course at the top right corner of the page. The outline displays every section of the course. Click any section to jump right to it.
At any time you are in a module, you can go back to the Home Module page by clicking the Back to Module button located directly under the module outline.
As you go through the course, you will have the opportunity to click the Mark Complete box at the end of each section. When you do this, the sections you have completed will be crossed off in your outline, and you will be taken to the next section of the course.
Your progress will automatically be saved within the learning management system, and you can view your course progress through the progress bar located near the top of most sections.
Exiting and Resuming a Module
Know that your progress will automatically be saved within the learning management system. If you exit the website, once you log back in you can easily access your courses by clicking the on the My Dashboard button located on the gray ribbon on top of every page.
Note Feature within the Modules
Throughout each module, you will notice some Reflection boxes that provide various prompts. Each reflection will be in a grey box with an image of a pen/lightbulb. A built in feature of each module is the ability to take notes and save them for your future use. This feature can be used within any part of the module, but is especially helpful for the reflection activities.
To access the note feature, simply click on the purple Take Notes button fixed in the lower right-hand corner of the screen. When you click on this button, a Take Notes box will appear. This box can be moved anywhere on the screen. Within the box, there is a SAVE button as well as a Print Button.
The easiest way to print all the notes you take from the entire module is to click View All Notes. When you click View All Notes, you will be taken to a page like the one below.
Click the boxes of the Notes you would like to print, and then click Download Selected. All your notes will be downloaded into one document separated by headers.
All Ohio’s comprehensive learning modules are relevant to any educator working to support students’ literacy development. In each module, you will find in-depth narrative text, linked resources, realistic scenarios, reflection activities, and embedded audio and videos.
Each module is self-paced. The approximate time for completion of the module is listed in the Simple View of Reading Module text box on the home page of the module.
Additional information included on each module’s home page include:
- Required prerequisites for the module.
- A more detailed description of the module.
- Helpful downloadable resources for the module including an outline of the module’s content and supporting resources, a step-by-step guide to assist you in navigating the professional learning modules, and an in-depth information about the purpose and key elements of the Ohio Literacy Library.
Certificates
Professional Development Certificates
are available for each comprehensive learning module. To earn a Professional Development Certificate, you must obtain a passing score of 85% or more on the module post-test. Please note that you are only allowed up to two attempts to obtain a passing score to earn your certificate.Badges
When completing professional development modules within All Ohio, you can earn badges based on your engagement in and mastery of content within each comprehensive learning module. You earn
Achievement Badges when you demonstrate proficiency with module content (i.e., obtaining a score of at least 85%), whereas Engagement Badges are awarded based on your level of participation on the site. Your earned Certificates and Badges will be displayed on your “All Ohio Dashboard.”
High standards of honesty and integrity are expected when completing professional development within this learning management system. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, dishonesty in the completion of activities and/or claiming credit for work not done or done by others. Any violation of these expectations can result in removal from this learning management system.
If you have any issues with accessing the content or functionality of this course, please email: allohioprojectteam@uc.edu
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Helpful Resources Related to this Module
Module Resources
An outline of the module’s main content and supporting resources.
Welcome & Navigation
Step-by-step guide to assist you in navigating the professional learning modules.
Ohio Literacy Library
In-depth information about the purpose and key elements of the Ohio Literacy Library.
