MLL-supportive technology features identified across research and design practice¶

Element · All elements
Evidence · 2 claims (2 mixed) · 1 study (1 review), q1 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 2 claims rest on one study

Description¶

The report catalogs the technological features that reviewed studies and interviewed designers embed to support multilingual learners, spanning multiple modes of engagement, emerging technologies, and pedagogy-specific features. As the review states, features "included dual coding (visual and auditory congruence), word prediction software, sound features, animated pictures, text-to-speech capability, voice recognition, and virtual tutors." Interviewees additionally discussed pause points, voice-over, leveling, multimodal expression, language translation, reduced text, localization, and in-the-moment player support. The element serves as an inventory of candidate design features for future MLL-centered edtech.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Features must be embedded in technologies designed to promote target disciplinary content for young multilingual learners ages 3-8

Constraints¶

• Only 28% of reviewed articles included systematic evaluations of such features, so evidence of effectiveness is limited

Target Learners¶

• Young multilingual learners ages 3-8 in preschool through third grade

Target Learning Goals¶

• Literacy and language development
• Subject-area learning including science and mathematics

Claims¶

• Existing MLL-focused edtech overwhelmingly offers English and Spanish, with a third offering only those two languages [~W]
• Edtech designers rarely make explicit design for multilingual learners central, favoring general universal design [~W]

Related Elements¶

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Danae Kamdar, Tiffany Leones, Amanda LaTasha Armstrong, Shelton Daal & Ximena Dominguez. (2025). Unlocking the Potential of Technology Innovations: A Vision for Supporting Multilingual Learners. Digital Promise. https://digitalpromise.dspacedirect.org/items/f37dc670-36a6-4f6e-a6c4-bf312be4fac0