The Observation Protocol for Academic Literacies

A Tool for Building Expertise for Teachers of English Learners

By (author) Magaly Lavadenz, Elvira G. Armas

Publication date:

16 January 2024

Publisher

Multilingual Matters

Dimensions:

234x156mm
6x9"

ISBN-13: 9781800419018

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.

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 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.