The Observation Protocol for Academic Literacies

The Observation Protocol for Academic Literacies

A Tool for Building Expertise for Teachers of English Learners

By Magaly Lavadenz and Elvira G. Armas
Paperback $34.95 Hardcover $149.95

$34.95

Publication Date: 16th January 2024

This book presents a validated observation instrument to support and develop the pedagogic expertise of teachers of English Learners in US schools. With real examples of classroom observations, it offers teachers, researchers and policymakers a tool for professional development, classroom research and program improvement.

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This book presents a validated observation instrument to support and develop the pedagogic expertise of teachers of English Learners in US schools. With real examples of classroom observations, it offers teachers, researchers and policymakers a tool for professional development, classroom research and program improvement.

 Read More
Description

This book presents a validated observation instrument to support and further develop the pedagogic expertise of teachers of English Learners in US schools. Based on sociocultural and second language teaching and learning theories, the Observation Protocol for Academic Literacies (OPAL) has a variety of uses across teacher preparation programs, pre-K-12 classroom contexts and school districts. This book leads the reader through the process of using OPAL with real classroom observations in the form of vignettes, in order to develop confidence and reliability scoring evidence in research-based practices. The book provides examples of its non-evaluative uses to conduct research, support teachers and identify areas of strength and weakness in their professional development. It also offers researchers and policymakers a tool for collecting classroom-based evidence to inform the implementation and refinement of English Learner programs.

Details
  • Price: $34.95
  • Pages: 200
  • Publisher: Channel View Publications
  • Imprint: Multilingual Matters
  • Series: Bilingual Education & Bilingualism
  • Publication Date: 16th January 2024
  • Trim Size: 6.15 x 9.2 in
  • ISBN: 9781800419001
  • Format: Paperback
  • BISACs:
    EDUCATION / Teaching Methods & Materials / General
    LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Literacy
    EDUCATION / General
    REFERENCE / Research
    LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Study & Teaching
Reviews
Building on decades of critical reflection on the education of English learners, Lavadenz and Armas offer us this wonderful book designed to engage teachers in reflection and dialogue over how to better promote deep learning with their students. The instrument, OPAL, and the vignettes presented capture the essentials of good teaching. I highly recommend it as a tool both for personal and collective professional reflection.
- Aída Walqui, Director, National Research and Development Center to Improve the Education of Secondary English Learners, WestEd

In the current landscape of linguistically diverse classrooms, there is no excuse for not providing equitable, high-quality, engaging learning experiences to English learners. Remarkably well-written and user-friendly, this book provides invaluable information for educators to elevate their practice and guarantee that all students have full access and effective participation in instruction.

- Carola Oliva-Olson, EDvance College, USA
This is a well-written, detailed, and clear description of the development and use of the OPAL that walks the reader through the process using actual classroom examples – well-positioned as an important, flexible resource for courses in assessment, second language acquisition, instructional methodology, and related areas as well as for professional development communities and coaching.
- Robert Rueda, Professor Emeritus, University of Southern California, USA
Author Bio

Magaly Lavadenz is the Leavey Presidential Endowed Chair in Ethics and Moral Leadership in the School of Education and Executive Director of the Center for Equity for English Learners at Loyola Marymount University, USA. Her research interests include teacher education, language education policy and immigrant and diaspora communities.

Elvira G. Armas is Director of the Center of Equity for English Learners and Affiliated Faculty in the School of Education at Loyola Marymount University, USA. Her research explores teaching and learning in linguistically and culturally diverse settings and collaboration between schools, families and communities.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1. Building Expertise for Teachers of English Learners: Introduction to the Observation Protocol for Academic Literacies (OPAL) Instrument

Chapter 2. Seeing What’s There: Sharpening Our Observation Skills

Chapter 3. OPAL Domain 3: Comprehensibility

Chapter 4. OPAL Domain 4: Interactions

Chapter 5. OPAL Domain 1: Rigorous and Relevant Curriculum

Chapter 6. OPAL Domain 2: Connections

Chapter 7. Using the OPAL for Professional Learning, Research and Evaluation Purposes

Appendices

References

Index

This book presents a validated observation instrument to support and further develop the pedagogic expertise of teachers of English Learners in US schools. Based on sociocultural and second language teaching and learning theories, the Observation Protocol for Academic Literacies (OPAL) has a variety of uses across teacher preparation programs, pre-K-12 classroom contexts and school districts. This book leads the reader through the process of using OPAL with real classroom observations in the form of vignettes, in order to develop confidence and reliability scoring evidence in research-based practices. The book provides examples of its non-evaluative uses to conduct research, support teachers and identify areas of strength and weakness in their professional development. It also offers researchers and policymakers a tool for collecting classroom-based evidence to inform the implementation and refinement of English Learner programs.

  • Price: $34.95
  • Pages: 200
  • Publisher: Channel View Publications
  • Imprint: Multilingual Matters
  • Series: Bilingual Education & Bilingualism
  • Publication Date: 16th January 2024
  • Trim Size: 6.15 x 9.2 in
  • ISBN: 9781800419001
  • Format: Paperback
  • BISACs:
    EDUCATION / Teaching Methods & Materials / General
    LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Literacy
    EDUCATION / General
    REFERENCE / Research
    LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Study & Teaching
Building on decades of critical reflection on the education of English learners, Lavadenz and Armas offer us this wonderful book designed to engage teachers in reflection and dialogue over how to better promote deep learning with their students. The instrument, OPAL, and the vignettes presented capture the essentials of good teaching. I highly recommend it as a tool both for personal and collective professional reflection.
– Aída Walqui, Director, National Research and Development Center to Improve the Education of Secondary English Learners, WestEd

In the current landscape of linguistically diverse classrooms, there is no excuse for not providing equitable, high-quality, engaging learning experiences to English learners. Remarkably well-written and user-friendly, this book provides invaluable information for educators to elevate their practice and guarantee that all students have full access and effective participation in instruction.

– Carola Oliva-Olson, EDvance College, USA
This is a well-written, detailed, and clear description of the development and use of the OPAL that walks the reader through the process using actual classroom examples – well-positioned as an important, flexible resource for courses in assessment, second language acquisition, instructional methodology, and related areas as well as for professional development communities and coaching.
– Robert Rueda, Professor Emeritus, University of Southern California, USA

Magaly Lavadenz is the Leavey Presidential Endowed Chair in Ethics and Moral Leadership in the School of Education and Executive Director of the Center for Equity for English Learners at Loyola Marymount University, USA. Her research interests include teacher education, language education policy and immigrant and diaspora communities.

Elvira G. Armas is Director of the Center of Equity for English Learners and Affiliated Faculty in the School of Education at Loyola Marymount University, USA. Her research explores teaching and learning in linguistically and culturally diverse settings and collaboration between schools, families and communities.

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1. Building Expertise for Teachers of English Learners: Introduction to the Observation Protocol for Academic Literacies (OPAL) Instrument

Chapter 2. Seeing What’s There: Sharpening Our Observation Skills

Chapter 3. OPAL Domain 3: Comprehensibility

Chapter 4. OPAL Domain 4: Interactions

Chapter 5. OPAL Domain 1: Rigorous and Relevant Curriculum

Chapter 6. OPAL Domain 2: Connections

Chapter 7. Using the OPAL for Professional Learning, Research and Evaluation Purposes

Appendices

References

Index