EDUC 3322: Language Development in Action Due: Friday, June 12 by 11:59 PM CT Points: 50 Points Assignment Overview Understanding language development requires more than reading about theories—it requ

EDUC 3322: Language Development in Action

Due: Friday, June 12 by 11:59 PM CTPoints: 50 Points

Assignment Overview

Understanding language development requires more than reading about theories—it requires observing, analyzing, and applying what you learn to real-world situations.

For this assignment, you will analyze a child featured in one of the instructor-provided observation videos and create a professional product demonstrating your understanding of language development concepts and instructional decision-making.

Rather than writing a traditional reflection paper, you will choose ONE of the project options below.

Both options require you to:

Observe a child in a provided video

Analyze language development

Apply course theories and concepts

Make instructional recommendations

Explain your thinking through a recorded presentation

Step 1: Select an Observation Video

Choose ONE of the instructor-provided observation videos.

Each video highlights different aspects of language and literacy development.

Video A https://youtu.be/K0aHjxzDb7I?si=V2M6Yv3OxvcOT4QM

Preschool Child (Approx. Ages 3–4)

Focus Areas:

Early language development

Vocabulary growth

Social communication

Emergent literacy

Video B https://youtu.be/NFBZrhPFfZc?si=3fm9bnrgpTVSKKol

Kindergarten Child (Approx. Ages 5–6)

Focus Areas:

Oral language development

Storytelling

Listening and speaking skills

Beginning literacy behaviors

Video C https://youtu.be/EJ20hLCIbL4?si=-3c_kvM6iCs5N4YP

Elementary Child (Approx. Ages 7–9)

Focus Areas:

Academic language

Reading and comprehension

Literacy development

Communication skills

You may only use one of the assigned videos for this project.

Video Worksheet

Step 2: Choose Your Project

Select ONE of the following options.

OPTION 1: Language Development DetectiveYour Role

You are a language development specialist investigating a child's language and literacy development.

Your goal is to gather evidence, analyze developmental progress, and make instructional recommendations.

Create a Digital Detective Board

Using Canva, Google Slides, PowerPoint, Padlet, or another approved platform, create a digital "Language Development Case File."

Required SectionsChild Snapshot

Include:

Approximate age

Developmental characteristics

General observations

Evidence Board

Collect and organize evidence from the observation video.

You must include:

Expressive language examples

Receptive language examples

Vocabulary development examples

Social communication examples

Literacy-related behaviors

Adult or teacher scaffolding

One area for future growth

Use screenshots (if permitted) and/or timestamped observation notes.

Development Analysis

Explain:

What stage of language development the child appears to be in

Evidence supporting your conclusion

Skills currently demonstrated by the child

Theory Connection

Connect your observations to at least ONE course theory:

Krashen

Cummins

Vygotsky

Piaget

Explain how the theory helps you understand what you observed.

Teacher Action Plan

Provide:

Three instructional supports

Two differentiation strategies

Explain why each strategy would support language development.

Celebration Section

Identify strengths and accomplishments that should be celebrated.

Focus on what the child CAN do rather than only areas needing improvement.

OPTION 2: Parent Language Development ToolkitYour Role

Imagine you are preparing for a family conference.

Based on your observations of the child in the video, create a digital toolkit that helps a family understand their child's language development strengths and next steps.

Create a Digital Parent Toolkit

Use one of the following:

Canva Website

Canva Presentation

Adobe Express Webpage

Google Site

Interactive Slide Deck

Required ComponentsMeet the Learner

Include:

Approximate age

Developmental strengths

Current language abilities

Understanding Development

Explain:

What the child is currently learning

Developmental indicators observed

Evidence supporting your conclusions

What We Celebrate

Highlight:

Strengths

Accomplishments

Positive developmental indicators

Home Support Strategies

Provide at least five practical language-building activities families can use at home.

For each strategy explain:

What the activity is

How it supports language growth

Why it would benefit this child

Teacher Recommendations

Provide three classroom-based recommendations.

Explain how each recommendation supports language development.

Theory Connection

Connect your recommendations to at least one course theory:

Krashen

Cummins

Vygotsky

Piaget

Explain how the theory influenced your recommendations.

Family Resource Section

Include helpful resources such as:

Children's books

Educational websites

Language-rich family activities

Developmentally appropriate apps

Step 3: Record a Video Explanation

All students must submit a recorded presentation regardless of project choice.

Video Requirements

Length:

3–5 minutes

Approved Platforms:

Zoom

Loom

Canvas Studio

Screencastify

PowerPoint Recording

Other approved recording platform

Your video should explain:

What you observed

Your analysis of the child's language development

Theory connections

Instructional recommendations

Evidence supporting your conclusions

REQUIRED: Evidence-Based Analysis

To demonstrate active engagement with the observation video, all students must reference at least THREE specific observation moments from the assigned video.

For EACH observation moment:

Identify the timestamp.

Describe what occurred.

Explain why it is important.

Connect it to language development concepts, developmental stages, or language acquisition theory.

Example

Observation Moment #1 (2:14)

The child used a complete sentence to explain why they liked a story character.

Why It Matters

This demonstrates expressive language development and increasing vocabulary use.

Course Connection

This observation supports Vygotsky's belief that language develops through social interaction and meaningful communication experiences.

Important

Statements such as:

"The child communicated well."

"The teacher helped the child."

"The student showed language development."

are too vague and will not satisfy this requirement.

You must use specific evidence from the observation video to support your analysis.

Failure to include three specific observation moments may result in a deduction of up to 10 points.

Submission Requirements

Submit the following:

Option 1

Digital Detective Board

Video Presentation

Option 2

Parent Language Development Toolkit

Video Presentation

Accepted formats include:

PDF

PowerPoint

Canva Link

Google Site Link

Video Link