Learning+Disabilty+and+Web+2.0

Learning Disabilities and Web 2.0 Web 2.0 calls for a major shift in the way education is provided for students and has opened new possibilities for students with learning disabilities. Students with learning disabilities (LD) suffer with one or more learning disabilities in “reading, writing, math, reasoning, and communication” that makes learning extremely frustrating. Fortunately, addressing different student aptitudes can be helped with the wealth of Web 2.0 tools available on the web. Many LD students, who experience “communication disorders" have problems with spoken language, for example answering questions on demand, in which one must retrieve information from storage, organize our thoughts and put the thought into words before they speak. This impairment also impacts the students’ ability to understand and express information; relate to other; express needs; abilities and interest; problem solve and demonstrate knowledge in key learning areas. The most noticeable barrier is slow and incomprehensible speech, and pronounced difficulties in syntax and articulation. This leads to low self esteem. These students lack the skills to orally speak in class. It can also cause trouble with written language for the same reasons. Glogsters is an online Web 2.0 tool to create interactive posters. Students can combine text, images, music, and videos on online posters either as individual or collaborative projects. For those students with language disabilities, it can be difficult for them to find the right words to express their thoughts or communicate with others. This tool can be used to scaffold learning for students by adjusting the level of difficulty, tasks, and requirements according to the needs of students. The collaborative element on this site provides the opportunity for peer interaction and mixed-ability grouping creating an opportunity for students to learn from one another. Students with fine motor skill disabilities may not be able to operate scissors to complete a traditional poster assignment, but an online poster can make participation possible. Glogs can also help those students that struggle with logic and reasoning skills since they allow the manipulation of elements on the site giving students repeated attempts to get things just right. Basically, any poster you can do on paper can be done better as a glog. Globster can make participation, presentations and communication easier for students with speech and language disorders giving them a means to succeed. Although Glogster have different learning levels, the easiest level is sometimes difficult for LD students. Another great Web 2.0 tool for LD students with language based learning disabilities is Ning. A former student struggled with letter sounds, decoding, spelling and grammar. With the support of a paraprofessional he made good grades in English. However, he needed a foreign language to graduate. Needless to say that he was struggling and about to give up, until he was introduced to Ning. There he typed learning language in the search engine and found an available group. He was able to practice the language with a native speaker. Ning provide him the opportunity to join a group and learn a specific language. Although there was an issue with internet safety. Web 2.0 tools are flexible and they create a fun, imaginative and powerful learning experience. [|http://brighthubeducation.com] [|http://glogsteredu.edu.glogster.com] Jean J Campbell