Many web2.0 sites have great potential for students with disabilities. Many of these sites help meet the concepts of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). UDL is a framework curricula that enable all individuals to gain knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm for learning. Using multiple means of representation, multiple means of action & expression, and multiple means of engagement you can create lessons & curriculum that all learners can participate in. For more information visit the CAST.org website.
Many web2.0 sites are great ways to meet UDL goals and many of these site are easily adapted for use by students with disabilities. Tar Heel Reader is a free, online book creator. The site has over 8,000 books on many topics. Many of these books have been written by students. Some features of Tar Heel Reader are integration with Flickr for photos and Text-to-Speech capabilities for completed books.
Voicethread, a site mentioned on this blog numerous times, is a great way for students to express themselves. I've used it to allow students with disabilities the opportunity to present, even if they have limited verbal skills. Using the record feature they can pre-record comments, then play them back to present their information. It's been a great tool to share what they know! Since other can leave comments too, it becomes an interactive tool, and what student doesn't love to have their parents, grandparents or friends comment on their work.
These are just a couple of examples of web2.0 sites that help meet UDL guidelines. If you are interested in more please check out my blog - Teaching All Students.
Patrick
Patrick Black is a special education teacher in Mt. Prospect, IL. As a self described "Geek", he writes the blog Teaching All Students about integrating assistive technology and students with disabilities.
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