
Hands-on, Practical Guidance for Educators
From math,
literacy, equity, multilingual learners, and SEL, to assessment, school counseling,
and education leadership, our books are research-based and authored by experts
on topics most relevant to what educators are facing today.

Confident Voices
Learn how to blend technology with project-based learning, and help your ELL students strengthen their English language skills while growing as creative thinkers and problem-solvers.
- Grade Level: PreK-12
- ISBN: 9781506323022
- Published By: Corwin
- Series: Corwin Connected Educators Series
- Year: 2016
- Page Count: 72
- Publication date: January 21, 2016
Price: $12.95
Description
Engage your ELL students through technology!
When it comes to technology integration, don’t overlook the needs of your ELL students. Introduce project-based learning into your classroom and utilize strategies to engage your ELL students and bridge the growing divide between technology and the ELL students that need it to thrive. Connected Educator John Spencer shows ELL educators how to combine technology with teaching in this easy-to-use guide to blended learning. Get ready to:
- Blend innovative technology with project-based learning
- Strengthen your students’ English language skills
- Engage your students through the intentional integration of digital tools
The Corwin Connected Educators series is your key to unlocking the greatest resource available to all educators: other educators. Being a Connected Educator is more than a set of actions: it’s a belief in the potential of technology to fuel lifelong learning. To explore the other books in this series, visit the Corwin Connected Educators website.
Check out the Connected Educator Series matrix to find out which book is right for you.
Philip Cummings, 6th Grade Teacher
Presbyterian Day School
"Spencer provides a clear framework for teachers to help students improve their language skills. A teacher can pick this book up and be provided with specific ideas and techniques which can be implemented in a classroom immediately."
Josh Stumpenhorst, Teacher
Lincoln Junior High School
Naperville, IL
Key features
- Gives teachers practical ideas of how technology can be used to enhance language acquisition
- Provides ideas for using tech when teaching grammar, vocabulary, oral language, writing, and writing
- Spencer shares techniques for both self-contained ELL classes and teachers looking to make accommodations for their ELL students
Author(s)

John T. Spencer
John Spencer is an assistant professor of instructional technology at George Fox University, where he is focusing on the integration of creative and connective technology with quality pedagogy. He has over a decade’s experience teaching middle school, including a year where he co-led the Twenty-First Century Classrooms, an innovative, STEM-centered, one-to-one initiative with twelve ELL classrooms. He is a frequent keynote speaker and workshop presenter. This last year he delivered a speech at the White House Future Ready Conference. He blogs regularly at SpencerIdeas.org and his work has been featured in Kappan Magazine, Education Week, The Answer Sheet, Edutopia, and Think Inclusive.
Table of Contents
Preface by Peter DeWitt and Ariel Price
Introduction
1. Grammar
2. Vocabulary
3. Oral Language
4. Writing
5. Reading
Conclusion
Reviews
"John Spencer is the kind of teacher that I wish my own kids had and that all students deserve. This book shows clearly and practically how technology can be used to give all students greater choice and a more powerful voice. This book inspired me to rethink my own approach and what I'm planning to do in my classroom tomorrow."
Philip Cummings, 6th Grade Teacher"John Spencer is the kind of teacher that I wish my own kids had and that all students deserve. This book shows clearly and practically how technology can be used to give all students greater choice and a more powerful voice. This book inspired me to rethink my own approach and what I'm planning to do in my classroom tomorrow."
Presbyterian Day School
"John Spencer shares a roadmap to powerful learning in any classroom. The strategies and stories help frame technology as a resource, tool, and bridge to language acquisition and true understanding. Pulling from his experience as a classroom teacher and Professor of Educational Technolgy, Spencer gives step-by-step advice on what can transform every day teaching and learning and lead to success of every learner in your classroom!"
AJ Juliani, Education and Technology Innovation Specialist"John Spencer shares a roadmap to powerful learning in any classroom. The strategies and stories help frame technology as a resource, tool, and bridge to language acquisition and true understanding. Pulling from his experience as a classroom teacher and Professor of Educational Technolgy, Spencer gives step-by-step advice on what can transform every day teaching and learning and lead to success of every learner in your classroom!"
"Spencer provides a clear framework for teachers to help students improve their language skills. A teacher can pick this book up and be provided with specific ideas and techniques which can be implemented in a classroom immediately."Josh Stumpenhorst, Teacher
Lincoln Junior High School, Naperville, IL
"John Spencer tackles issues that every teacher faces with working with students who are struggling with language. His practical and powerful tips empower teachers and students with the skills and tools necessary to engage students where they’re at without sacrificing content, standards, or interest. As a technology director and former math teacher, I would struggle at where to begin when facing these issues. John's expert advice, built on research on experience, gives me the tools I need to grow as an educator.
I absolutely loved this book. It deepened my understanding of language acquisition and the tools that are needed to help both struggling learners and teachers. John's understanding of what an engaging and enriching classroom looks like is inspiring."Brett Clark, Director of Technology"John Spencer tackles issues that every teacher faces with working with students who are struggling with language. His practical and powerful tips empower teachers and students with the skills and tools necessary to engage students where they’re at without sacrificing content, standards, or interest. As a technology director and former math teacher, I would struggle at where to begin when facing these issues. John's expert advice, built on research on experience, gives me the tools I need to grow as an educator.
I absolutely loved this book. It deepened my understanding of language acquisition and the tools that are needed to help both struggling learners and teachers. John's understanding of what an engaging and enriching classroom looks like is inspiring."
Greater Clark County Schools, Jeffersonville, IN
- Flipped leadership
- Tools for connecting educators, parents, and communities
- Blogging for educators
- Best practices for establishing a makerspace
- Tools to connect and empower teachers
Finally, all of the authors are active on social media, and they regularly present at local conferences, which helps in bringing to life the contents of these books."
Ross Cooper, Supervisor of Instructional Practice K-12"As of now there are about 20 books in the Corwin Connected Educator Series, a seemingly ever-growing set of titles masterminded by Peter DeWitt and Corwin Press. Each book is short enough to be read in one sitting, which makes the collection ideal for book studies and professional development, both during the summer and throughout the school year. Also, each paperback is authored by one or two educators who speak (and blog, tweet, etc.) with a credible voice in the world of connected education. Some of the topics include:
- Flipped leadership
- Tools for connecting educators, parents, and communities
- Blogging for educators
- Best practices for establishing a makerspace
- Tools to connect and empower teachers
Finally, all of the authors are active on social media, and they regularly present at local conferences, which helps in bringing to life the contents of these books."
Salisbury Township School District, Edutopia
For Instructors
When you select 'request review copy', you will be redirected to our parent site, Sage Publishing, to process your request.
Related Resources
- Access to companion resources is available with the purchase of this book.
New! Purchase eBooks directly from the Corwin website.
Access all your Corwin/Sage eBook purchases on your personal bookshelf, accessible through your Corwin account.