As I was winding through the Okanagan wine country this summer pondering my banner question, it all seemed pretty simple.  Go online, be it Google or ERIC, find the appropriate articles, annotate and then continue.  I should have known that being in a program that focuses on “cutting edge” technologies makes finding appropriate and up-to-date articles challenging.  In my somewhat evolving field study, I’m focusing on a few particular ESL students in my regular Socials 10 class.  I want to see whether using Web 2.0 technologies makes their transition into a regular classroom more integrative, inclusive, communicative and successful.  However, finding articles that focus on this group has been difficult.  I’m sure I’m not the first to have thought of this, but I may be one of the first to create an action plan around this focus group.  I have found relevant articles about technology and ESL students, and many on Web 2.0, however none that relate both topics.  Arrghhh.

These particular students have been with me in full ESL classes for the past 2 years and were very willing to speak up and participate.  Now in a different environment, they have understandably gone back into their shells.  I have heard from their other regular class teachers of the same behaviour.  I’m hoping that creating an online environment can help create a more collaborative and more importantly, inclusive environment for these students.  My search will continue…but if anyone reads this blog and knows of some research around this, please let me know.