Promoting Educational Opportunity and Achievement for English Learners Through 1:1 iPads at an Urban High School

• In Event: 18.051 - Mobile Apps and Mobile Learning in K–16 Environments

Abstract

The digital divide between technology-mediated instruction for students in low and high socio-economic schools is a serious equity issue with repercussions for student learning. With a pressing need for equal educational opportunity for English Learners (ELs), it is important to evaluate the effectiveness of implementing 1:1 technology initiatives with ELs. This multi-year, mixed method study examined the impact of a 1:1 iPad initiative on the academic achievement and experiences with technology of 191 students identified as Limited English Proficiency in a high poverty urban high school. Despite inequitable access, inadequate professional development, inconsistent administrative support, and reluctant teachers, access to and use of an individual iPad resulted in higher attendance, and slightly higher GPA and ELPA scores over three years.

Authors

• Gayle Y. Thieman, Portland State University

• Tatiana M Cevallos, George Fox University