Background Papers

A set of five background papers were commissioned for this project. They provide different, yet sometimes overlapping, perspectives on issues related to technology in support of young second language learners. The background papers are intended to serve as a point of departure for the colloquium discussions. All documents are in .pdf format and require Adobe reader.

• Technology and Literacy Development of Latino Youth, by Richard P. Durán (Gevirtz Graduate School of Education, University of California Santa Barbara , CA ) This paper looks at some of the social, cultural, access, and other issues related to the use of technology in helping Latino children develop English literacy skills.



• Technology, Literacy, and Young Second Language Learners: Designing Educational Futures , by Jim Cummins (The University of Toronto , Canada) Second language development and technology issues for minority language children are the focus of this paper



• Developing New Literacies Among Multilingual Learners in the Elementary Grades , by Donald J. Leu, Jr., Jill Castek, Julie Coiro, Mileidis Gort, Laurie Henry, Clarisse O Lima (University of Connecticut , Storrs , CT ) The paper provides a framework for considering the demands of new technologies on literacy development in a multicultural, multilingual society for young second language learners.



• Technology and Second Language Learning: Promises and Problems , by Yong Zhao ( Michigan State University , East Lansing , MI ) How technologies have been used to support second language learning is the focus of this paper.



• Technology and Young Second Language Learners , by Leann Parker (University of California , Office of the President) This paper offers an overview of how a variety of technologies have been used to support young second language learners.