
*Presentation Tools
There are many different types of presentations that can be used to help students with disabilities. Presentations are used to further a person’s information about a topic. For children with disabilities they are fantastic to use because they can be very visual. Presentations that are on a slideshow are really great for students with disabilities because they can have access to that presentation to refer back to for information. Different presentation tools that teachers can use are powerpoint, prezi, or viddix.
*Collaborative Tools
There are many different collabortive tools that students can use as well as teachers. It is important for students to collaborate with each other. In my classroom, I will have blogs where my students can help each other on homework or where they can even ask me questions. Some tools that can be used are GoogleDocs, Crocodoc, or Shwup. For children with disabilities, collaboration tools which use technology can really spark different interests! If a student cannot speak, an online collaboration is great because they are still getting a voice.
*Research Tools
Research tools are very important for students to be in touch with. Students need to know how to research information on the internet, in articles, or even in encyclopedias! It is imporant to teach students what a reliable resource is when they are doing research so they have their facts correct. Some examples of research tools could be Addictomatic, FindHow, or DoGo. DoGo is really good for younger students to use because of how easy it is to navigate through and the reading level is for younger students. This can be very beneficial to students with disabilities because there are so many different levels of news!
*Video Tools
Video tools can be very useful in the classroom! I think a really good way for teachers to use a video tool would be to record themselves teaching a lesson, especially if they are going to be absent. I also think that if a student is gone it would help if the teacher recorded the lesson so that student cold refer to the video lesson when he/she is completing the homework! Some different video tools are Animoto, Clipgenerator, or Jumpcut. Each of those tools allow you to upload a video and animate or cut out certain portions of the video. For a student who has difficulty listening to a teacher, might be more comfortable watching the lesson online.
*Slideshow Tools
Slideshows are also very useful tools in the classroom. They are often found in simple presentations such as PowerPoint or Prezi. Slideshows are a very good visual tool to use in the classroom. When using a slideshow, it is important not to make each slide too busy with words or picturess, but to put the main point on it. There are many different editor tools that can turn a plain powerpoint into a really cool slideshow!
*Audio Tools
Audio tools can be very useful for students who have visual impairments. In different audio apps or tools the voice can be fluxuated to make it more interesting to the student. It is also important to use in the classroom so that students don't always rely on a visual example. They learn to listen closely and focus on what is being said. Some examples are Audacity, Chirbit, or Reaper. These tools can also be used to do the actual recording.
*Image Tools
Image tools are a great way to organize pictures. I think that image tools can really help students with autism. The teacher could group pictures by category and the student could do a picture exchange in a way with it. Examples of image tools are Flickr, Photoshow, or Yogile.
*Drawing Tools
Drawing tools can be very useful or be used in place of a personal whiteboard. For students who need the kinesthetic learning of a lesson they can use a website called Wordle. If a student needs one work described by many other words, then Wordle is the one to use!
*Writing Tools
A lot of students need encouragement or need to know a more fun way to want to write. I think that the many different writing tools that are available are important to use in any classroom setting. Smories.com is a really good resource to use if a student writes a book and they want to publish it. Bookr is also a good resource for students if they want to write a book and illustrate it on the computer directly.
*Music Tools
Music is an amazing tool for some students. For some students music may come as a distraction, but it can also help students when they are completeing an assignment. Some music can really spark thoughts in some students minds. Websites such as moof, songza, or lyricsfly are all really good resources to use in the classroom when you want your students to listen to appropriate music.
*Organizing Tools
Organizing tools are super important in a classroom. I think that it is important to teach all students how to properly organize their thoughts, homework, and assignments in the classroom. Students can organize by using charts or different kinds of diagrams. For students with learning disabilities organizing can be super important when asking them to respond to a book they are reading. Some online tools are Webspiration, Bubblus, or Gliffy.
*Mapping Tools
It is always imporant for students to know how to use a map. When it comes time to teach them how to use a map, I think you should start out with having the students map out where they live. I have seen a lot of teachers have the students draw a map from their house to school. There are many different online resources that can help students build their own map such as Umapper, Quikmaps, or Targetmap.
*Quiz and Poll Tools
There are many different tools for teachers to use in order to create quizzes for students. I think these are really good tools to use because any kind of quiz can be made for any student. This benefits students with disabilities because the quiz can be built to their understanding. Some online tools are Yacapaca, Hot Potatoes, and Quibblo.
*Graphing Tools
I think that graphing tools are an awesome resource to use in the classroom. Sometimes Microsoft Word can be really hard to use, especially for students to see every step that you are making when building a chart. I think that technology makes it easier for students to visually see graphs tha are made. Some online resources that can be used to make different graphs are amCharts, Createagraph, or ChartGo.
*Creativity Tools
Some people think they struggle with being creative. Sometimes we need an extra push to be creative though! There are so many different creaitvity tools that can be used to back up and enforce a lesson whether it be a math or reading lesson. Some online resources are Questionaut, Solvr, or DecideAlready. Each of those resources could be used in centers as well.
Why is it important to use digital learning with all students?
It is important to use digital learning with all students because all students learn differently or in unique ways. In today's world, everything is based off of technology. Digital learning offeres an unprecedented ability to provide educational experiences that are tailor-made for each student. By embracing digitial devices and connected learning, classrooms around the country and around the globe cannot only connect to one another to share insights and boost learning, experience, and communication skills.
Assignment 1 - Digital Learning Environment









