Web+2.0

This assignment is to familiarize ourselves as teachers, the many ways that web 2.0 can be incorporated into our teaching strategies. As an up and coming special education provider, I am going to be using the most technological advanced programs that are available to enhance my student’s education. Four of the five web 2.0 tools that I will be discussing are located at this website http://cooltoolsforschools.wikispaces.com/. I was amazed on how many resources are available at this “cool tools for schools” website. There are over 19 available tools within this website and if there is a certain web 2.0 program that a school follows that isn’t included in this website, the school is allowed to email this website so they can upload the curriculum making it available for students to participate. The four different tools located under the cool tools for school website that I will be discussing are called “community walk” ( [] ), “crappy graphs” ( [] ), “Omnisio” ( [] ), and “Yacapaca” ( [] ). The fifth and final web 2.0 tool that I will be discussing is called “SecondLife” ( @http://secondlife.com/whatis/?lang=en-US ). These tools, if used right, can surely benefit the students in my field. The first tool that I will be discussing is under the icon “mapping” in which then takes you to many more helpful tools that can be used. The one that I chose under “mapping” is called “community walk.” “Community walk” allows a student or the teacher to create personal, community, and professional maps. After creating this map, the student or teacher can upload it onto a blog or website for further or future review. The first idea that came to my head after reviewing this tool is what a wonderful resource it would be to map out a classroom field trip. The teacher and or the student’s in the classroom can organize and map out the daily itinerary to show what route the bus might take, the distance between the school and their destination, and alternative routes that parent volunteers could take if they didn’t want to follow the bus. Another way I could incorporate this tool in my field is having a student that is visual impaired map out the community in which they live. Some will think how is this going to be done? People that are visually impaired no more about a community than most because they spend their days taking different transportation to get to their destination. How cool would it be if that student could listen to their iPod, which can be synced from the “community walk” tool, to hear instructions on different ways to get to different places through-out their community? With this tool, it can happen! The second tool that will be discussed is under the icon “graphing.” Under the icon “graphing” I chose what is called “crappy graphing.” Not only will students get a laugh out of the title but they will be able to record data of whatever the curriculum calls for. This tool allows students to organize, create, and take notes while the information can be graphed. Some students that have attention problems, learning disabilities, or memorization disabilities will be asked to do flash card activities repetitively. This activity seems very repetitive and boring if asked to do these activities everyday. With this tool, students will be able to see their success by graphing their information once the flash cards are completed. They will also be able to take notes that day on how they are feeling, and on any goals that they want to achieve the next time they participate. This recorded information will be helpful not only for teachers but for parent awareness. One of the main goals for students with disabilities is to have them try and create their own success by doing as much as possible on their own without the many accommodations. The “crappy graphing” tool is an excellent way to have students gain confidence in being able to visually see their success while doing the work on their own. The third tool that I will be discussing is under the icon “video.” Under this icon I chose the “Omnisio” tool where students are able to synchronize videos with slides. This tool will be most helpful in my field with students who have (SSN) significant support needs. Students with SSN sometimes need to be taught basic life skills such as brushing their teeth or using the restroom. One of the best ways to teach students with SSN a skill is to model to the student the correct way of doing the skill and then to positively reinforce that student. How the Omnisio tool can help the student and the teacher is to first make slides in sequential order of the skill at hand. After showing the student a slide of the skill, the teachers can either video record the student practicing the skill or another person modeling the skill. After all steps are complete, the video/slides can be imported on a assistive technology device to where that student can access that device if they forget a step or need help remembering the skill. This tool can be responsible for a child to have the capabilities of doing life skills on their own which as mentioned before, is the main goal. The fourth tool that will be discussed is located under the “quiz and poll” icon. Under this icon I have chosen the “Yacapaca” tool where teachers can use already created tests and quizzes or can also create their own. This tool is great for a teacher who has a student who focuses better on a computer while taking assessments or quizzes. This tool will be great for students with an IEP that are supposed to be accommodated by taking tests on the computer. Some students also have to have accommodated testing in which the teacher can accommodate their test on this program, save it, and then pull up results when it is time to show parents their progress. The fifth and final tool that I will be discussing is called “Secondlife.” “Secondlife” is a social network that is constructed in virtual 3D and is built and inhabited by users. This is a simulated world where students can meet other people, either from in their own community or through-out the world. Student’s can create their own avatar and learn all the responsibilities that life may bring when they get older, such as having a family, paying bills, going to work, and taking time for a vacation. I recently took an online course where this social network was required. During this time I had to go to different presentations, meet people, take tests, and study for tests. In my field, I think that “Secondlife” would be useful because students can be more engaged with the 3D aspect, rather than the lecture on how to do something. The idea that I have when using this tool is teaching students the correct mannerisms. If a student has a disability, such as autism, they have a hard time putting the correct way to behave in perspective. The teacher can set up presentations through the virtual world teaching correct mannerisms, and the correct way to behave. The student can then travel on their own expense, on their own free will towards these presentations. This is another great way for parents to get involved, for they can also create their own avatar, and either participate or keep track of their child’s activity.