Technology Integration: Teaching Elementary Deaf Student English Language Arts

This study examined an elementary deaf education teacher’s experiences and practices regarding the integration of technology into an English/Language Arts (ELAR) classroom. Most deaf students experience challenges acquiring and learning English as a second language. Research continues to indicate deaf students graduate high school with a fourth-grade reading level. Specifically, the study investigated how technology was used to support the development of English/Language Arts skills in deaf students based on McCrory’s model on technological integration (McCrory, 2006). McCrory’s (2016) technology integration model is used to identify the teacher knowledge and use of technology. The model includes four components: representation, information, transformation, and collaboration. Using a qualitative case study design, data was collected using interviews, surveys, and observations. The data collected focused on the teacher only and did not include the students. The analysis showed how the ELAR teacher used technology to teach deaf students in relation to the four components of McCrory’s model. Implications for K-12 teacher preparation and professional development are discussed.