Interprofessional Coaching to Enhance Language and Learning in Secondary Classrooms Using Digital Education for Teachers (INCLUDE)

INCLUDE aims to enhance learning and participation in secondary classrooms through a digital teacher professional development program called LINK-D, where teachers get techniques to modify their oral and written instructional language and increase direct vocabulary instruction.

We build on an Australian manualized intervention with documented positive effects on student language/literacy scores and teacher behavior, and high teacher satisfaction.

INCLUDE will advance current knowledge by 1) determining program effectiveness for various student groups, including L2-learners and students with/without language difficulties, and measure effects on subject-matter knowledge and participation in addition to language/literacy skills, 2) explore associations between teacher use and student perception of specific program techniques and outcomes, and 3) compare student and teacher effects with/without interprofessional coaching by a speech language pathologist.

After program development and a proof-of concept study (year 1-2), LINK-D will be evaluated in a clustered randomized controlled trial including 48 teachers and their 8th grade students (year 2-4).

We will use a mixed-method approach where qualitative analyses of survey responses and video-recorded learning activities will complement quantitative analyses.

INCLUDE will expand our knowledge about effective and scalable TPD that help mainstream teachers meet the needs of secondary students with language and literacy difficulties.