Topic outline

  • Welcome!

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    Welcome to the course, "How are Multilingual Learners Different: Bilingual-Bicultural Experience." The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to the way in which multilingual learners learn and acquire both language and acculturative knowledge, including outside the classroom. Even when explicit instruction is provided, the difference between communication and comprehension is not always recognized or considered in terms of the degree to which can affect what is learned and how it is learned. The major objective of this course is to provide various examples of the learning process and how differences in culture and language directly influence what multilinguals learn and how well they learn it. This highlights the need to pay particular attention to comprehension throughout the entire school experience.

  • New to BRIDGE-RI?

    • If this is your first time taking a course on BRIDGE-RI, we strongly recommend viewing the information below to familiarize yourself with the steps needed to successfully engage with and complete courses on BRIDGE-RI. To learn more about each topic, click the arrow on the left to expand and collapse each topic as needed.

      Please note that none of the information below is required or tracked for completion and to this end, the time needed to review this information is not included in the estimated time to complete this course.

      Please familiarize yourself with the site by watching this brief video on getting around.
      Important Notes
      • A self-paced course is open year-round. There are no start and end dates, or due dates, but there are activities and quizzes that must be successfully completed in order to earn credit.
      • BRIDGE-RI will automatically log users out after 2 hours of inactivity.
      Accommodations

      We strive for all content to be accessible to all BRIDGE-RI participants. If you are having trouble accessing any materials or wish to request accommodations for this course, please contact mtss.bridgeri@gmail.com. 

      To earn any PLUs associated with this course, you'll need to successfully complete each of the required activities, typically denoted by a completion marker that turns from gray to green. Any time you successfully complete a section or activity, the gray box will automatically turn to green if you have met the requirement(s). At times, you will see activities where you will need to manually select "mark as done." There will be prompts reminding you to do so when applicable. Please note that there will be assessments (e.g., quizzes, checks for understanding) built into every course on BRIDGE-RI. You will be expected to obtain a passing score on these assessments but you will have multiple attempts to pass and you will receive specific feedback to guide you if you're struggling with a particular topic. While this course is self-paced and will not be facilitated by a moderator, please feel free to contact the course support contact if you have any questions. 
      Every course on BRIDGE-RI will ask you to complete a short Course Evaluation at the end of the course. Upon submission of this evaluation, your Course Completion Certificate will unlock. To access this certificate:
      1. Click on the Course Completion Certificate activity.
      2. Click View certificate button.
      3. Your certificate will automatically download. 
      4. Your certificate will also be emailed to you.
      5. You can access your certificate at any time from your Profile. Click Profile and under Miscellaneous, select My certificates. 

      Locating your Certificates: A one minute video on where to find all your course certificates.


      The Basics

      This course may use discussion forums to engage participants in meaningful dialogue around shared experiences. Every forum will contain clear instructions and requirements for completion. Please carefully read and follow the instructions. The course facilitator will periodically check on responses to ensure quality and appropriateness.

      Replying to a Post

      Many discussion forums will ask that you reply to another participant's post, in addition to posting your own topic. These conversation starters can help you construct a response:

      • Can you tell me more about...
      • I am curious about...
      • What do you think about...
      • Your post reminded me of...
      • This is important to me because...
      • This made me think of...
      • I can relate to this because...
      • Have you considered...
      • This was interesting to me because...

      Subscribing to Your Post

      You can decide whether or not you'd like to receive an email notification if someone comments on your post or adds a new post. There are two ways:

      • If you want to receive a notification about one specific post, click the envelope icon off to the right of that post. It is strongly recommended that you do this.
      • If you want to receive notifications about all posts in a forum, click the "manage forum subscriptions" link at the bottom of the forum and sign up from there. 

      "Netiquette"

      "Netiquette" is etiquette for online communication. Please practice the following guidelines when posting comments or replies. 

      1. Proofread and edit your work before posting.
      2. AVOID THE USE OF ALL CAPS as this may be interpreted as shouting.
      3. Avoid abbreviations (e.g., LOL, OMG).
      4. Avoid using humor and sarcasm as they can be difficult to detect in written communication.
      5. Practice civil discussion. Refrain from ranting about someone or something.
      6. Respect the privacy of communication within a course. Do not publicly forward the comments of your fellow participants to others outside of the course.

  • Getting Started

    Before beginning, please take a moment to read and agree to the Terms of Use below.

    • As a professional educator, I understand that I must complete all the activities in this course as outlined by the activity expectations and instructions. I understand this course is monitored regularly and that all of my coursework should be completed with academic integrity as outlined in BRIDGE-RI's Terms of Use. Failure to meet these requirements may result in account suspension and/or termination.

    • Students must
      Mark as done

      If you have read and understand the statement above, please check the mark as done box to the right to signify your acceptance of this statement.  

    • The MTSS Framework Interactive Content
      Students must
      View

  • How Hard Can it Be?

    • In this section you will take part in an activity to provide perspective into what can feel like to be a multilingual learner and then engage in a reflection. This section should take approximately 5 to 7 minutes to complete.

    • Let's Practice Book
      Students must
      View

  • Overlooking Differences in Multilingual Learners

    • In this section you will learn about how multilingual learners acquire language through both intentional and incidental experiences, including the role of cultural knowledge, language exposure, and standard language models. You will also explore the impact of language learning on academics and examine the distinction between language difference and disorder, as well as expected behaviors of language learners that may mimic something else. This section should take you between 35 and 45 minutes to complete.

    • Overlooking Differences Book
      Students must
      View
    • Classroom Behavior and Performance Book
      Students must
      View
    • Language Book
      Students must
      View
    • Impact on Academics Book
      Students must
      View

  • Bilingual is Not Two Monolinguals in One Head

    • In this section Dr. Ortiz summarizes the learnings of this course and adds his final perspective. This section should take you between 3-4 minutes to complete.

    • The multilingual learner is not many monolinguals in one head Page
      Students must
      View

  • Wrap Up

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    • The work of BRIDGE-RI and MTSS Rhode Island is made possible by funding and additional supports from the Rhode Island Department of Education and West Bay Collaborative.

  • Audio Descriptions