Web+2.0+Tools+to+Engage+Students+and+Enhance+Learning

I am currently a District CSE Chairperson, 504 Compliance Officer, Educational Evaluator, and am now taking on the role of Assistive Technology Coordinator. I am not in a classroom. Therefore, I am not able to create and carry out a unit of study or series of lessons.

However, I am responsible for recommending and helping to implement a variety of "Apps" for iPads, computer software, web-based computer aided instructional programs, and devices for students with disabilities. I am going to assemble a table of Web 2.0 applications, as well as programs, and devices by domain that help engage students with disabilities and enhance their learning.

An extensive table of these tools by domain would be an extremely useful resource to me. Some of these tools I have used, researched, and been part of an interdisciplinary team that has recommended them, and others I will research for the purpose of this project.

__DOMAIN 1: ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS/COMMUNICATION__

 * __**WEB 2.0 TOOL**__ || __**DESCRIPTION**__ || __**HOW IT WILL ENGAGE STUDENTS & ENHANCE LEARNING**__ ||
 * [|Bookshare] || A free digital library for SWDs only || This web-based application allows struggling readers to hear their novels and textbooks read aloud via embedded free text to speech software (Read Out Loud) and acapella voices. Thereby enabling them to keep up with assignments and understand course/material or novel content. ||
 * [|ProLoQuo2Go] || Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) || A programmable App used with iPads primarily. It is for individuals who cannot speak or who cannot speak very much. The App can be programmed with visuals to match words, predict words, and eventually allow for typing of whole phrases and sentences that the App speaks aloud for the individual. ||
 * [|Audible.com] || A subscription digital library || This is another web-based application available to any individual by subscription that allows struggling readers to hear texts read aloud. For students who are better auditory learners, being able to listen to texts allows them to utilize their learning strength. Thereby increasing their comprehension and learning. ||
 * [|Kurzweil] || Assistive Technology that supports Literacy Skills || Universal design assistive technology that makes accessing content to students with cognitive ability, but not the literacy skills to achieve success at grade level, with text to speech tools to support reading, research, and writing. ||

__DOMAIN 2: MATHEMATICS__

 * **__WEB 2.0 TOOL__** || **__DESCRIPTION__** || **__HOW IT WILL ENGAGE STUDENTS & ENHANCE LEARNING__** ||
 * [|Johnny's Math Page] || Interactive Web based math site for kids from primary arithmetic to probability || Interactive, colorful graphics make learning entertaining and interesting. Thereby increasing participation and opportunity to learn. ||
 * [|Dr. Math] || Web based math site for kids to ask questions, play games || While not as interactive, the opportunity to ask and answer questions provides a social aspect to the site that others do not display. Thereby raising participation of students who might be reticent to ask questions in class, but would be more likely to do so behind the safety of a computer. ||
 * [|Khan Academy] || Web based academic assistance site (particularly math and science) complete with progress monitoring || Khan Academy continues to improve, adding features and topics. With dashboards for teachers, easy progress checking for parents, as well as clear video lessons with hints, practice sheets, assessments, and topic maps. Students collect leaves and badges, work at their own pace, get hints if they ask, and move through math courses of study as they master them. ||
 * [|Math Live] || Interactive Web based math site for kids || Comic Strip feel to this highly organized site with everything from numeration, patterns & relationships, shapes & spatial relations, statistics & probability, and estimation. Ease of operation, animation and audio/story telling helps students make connections regarding math concepts. Thereby increasing probability of student engagement and retention. ||

__DOMAIN 3: WRITTEN LANGUAGE/EXPRESSION__

 * **__WEB 2.0 TOOL__** || **__DESCRIPTION__** || **__HOW IT WILL ENGAGE STUDENTS & ENHANCE LEARNING__** ||
 * [|Bubble Us] || Graphic Organizer Creator || Easy to use web creator for developing narrative or non-fictional writing. Students with grapho-motor deficits who have difficulty using a pencil and paper brainstorming web due to illegible handwriting, will find this simple web developer easy to manipulate. Thereby increasing the probability of student written language production. Could also be used in lieu of essay tests while student is becoming more proficient in writing skills. ||
 * [|Penzu] || Cloud based journal || Love this! Students can write about anything or something a teacher asks, but it secure/private unless they want to share it. It looks like a real notebook. Students can pick from various themes for free (upgrade there are more to choose from). ||
 * [|Prezi] || Presentation tool || Like an artist, students can use a (digital) canvas to create artistic presentations using the "zebra" and editing tools. Prezi easily converts powerpoint presentations into snazzy shows! Students will be captured with the neat zoom in and zoom out. This will definitely turn the book report, diorama, mobile, and even the presentation board into a dinosaur. Thereby engaging students in more active learning to develop a product with purpose. ||
 * [|MyWebspiration] || More powerful and diverse graphic organizer creator || Web based version comes in classroom and pro levels available by subscription. Desktop version of classic Inspiration 9 still available. A variety of webs available. Ease of expansion and mobility with color coding on some webs. Students with grapho-motor deficits but who have proficient computer skills will take to this like fish to water provided teachers demonstrate or model its value and provide the time to experiment and encourage its use. Students can export webs, automatically generated outlines, to word documents, and then work from there on rough draft. Once students realize how much of the writing burden Webspiration alleviates for them, they will wonder how they did without it. ||