Three presenters approached and collaborated on this topic from their individual perspectives to emphasize how important it is that all levels of ESL education work together in their quest to close the achievement gap. Although the presenters were from different states and areas of expertise, they endeavored to show examples of how each of their areas in ESL education could join hands to create seamless integration of technology for all children. Their unique contributions focused on the following:

1. Christel Broady, ESL Endorsement Director at Georgetown College in Kentucky, 2011/2012 EEIS Chair, & Kentucky TESOL Board Member, presented on the reasons why teachers need to pay attention to using digital tools in elementary education. She reported on the brain activities of digital natives, learners who are accustomed to dealing with myriads of digital devices and information. Broady also stressed how important it is to prepare immigrant children for careers in a global and technology-driven world. She stressed that teachers who do not teach in digital ways may create barriers, especially for digital native learners.

2. German Suarez, K-12 online curriculum consultant, Cobb County School District Board of Education, presented ideas that would help school districts to teach in the most efficient ways possible by reaching all students, no matter their language or cultural needs. He demonstrated a variety of different free and fee-based software applications in the session.

3. Duysevi Karan Miyar, an ESL instructor at Dade Public Schools in Florida, described how digital storytelling using Photo Story 3 can help children to learn English better in all four skill areas by providing a more interesting medium for learning.

4. The panel also connected to a real classroom in Georgia where elementary children used iPads and showed practical uses of a variety of applications in real-class situations. This part of the session was by far the most exciting since everyone had a wonderful time interacting and conversing with the children who were very proud of showing off to a room full of teachers from across the country!

Questions regarding specific tools used or procedures recommended can be directed to Christel Broady.

Christel Broady, edupreneur, is committed to a sustainable world for all in the 21st century via global education, technology, and language. Her interests include advocacy, technology, and professional learning communities.

As a program director of a ESL teacher endorsement program in Kentucky, her professional leadership includes regional, state, national, and global positions, such as president the KYTESOL, TESOL International/NCATE USA ESL program reviewer, chair of the TESOL International Elementary Education IS (globally), and multiple other positions.

Broady’s list of publications and presentations includes regional, national, and international keynote speeches and talks. Among many other honors, she earned TESOL International’s affiliate’s best presentation.

Professional honors Christel Broady has received over the past 20 years range from workplace service rewards at several institutions and professional recognition to multiple awards from KYTESOL and TESOL International, such as the TESOL International leadership award as well as of being selected to represent her home state and TESOL International at the 2012 Advocacy Day at Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.