Web 2.0 Tools for Diverse Learners
A collection of three web 2.0 tools to help with teachers wishing to apply universal design for learning (UDL) within their classrooms.
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Read&Write
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Popplet
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Audacity
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Read&Write
The Basics
Read&Write is essentially a speech-to-text, and text-to-speech program that exsists as an extention for Google's Chrome web browser. That means that it can be used on any webpage within the browser. Users can have it read highlighted text (including words, passages, or whole documents) in English or a host of other languages (this means it can also translate text into various languages). It can also define highlighted words using text or pictures, and turn speech into text which can then be saved into Google Docs. It also has a feature than summarized webpages.
Educational Applications
Read&Write's definition feature has many possibilities for students, such as defining words that students come across while researching, allowing for a deeper understanding of the research topic. It's translation feature can also help with language lessons, while that various note taking features (especially speech-to-text notes) creates an easy way of expanding student resource bases.
UDL Applications
The speech-to-text features are a huge help for students who struggle with reading, allowing them to perform research on largely text-based webpages efficiently. They can even follow along with the speech to help improve their reading. On the other hand, the speech-to-text options are perfect for students who struggle with writing. Whether it's an intellectual or physical problems that hinders writing, the program can turn teacher or student created content dictated orally into textual notes for further use.
User Age
As per the programs terms of use available here, users under 13 years of age need a parent or guardian to approve of and agree to use the program for the user.
Get Read&Write for Google Chrome here, or visit its website, https://rwchrome.texthelp.com/drive/Support/Home
Popplet
The Basics
Popplet is a visual organization app for iOS. Essentially, Popplet is a mind map creator, which allows users to organize idea using a host of built in tools and features. Users can create text within the app, or they can use picutres by either importing their own images, or creating them with built in drawing tools. Notes and ideas can be linked to each other with lines to create webs to help users stay organized. Mind Maps created in the app are saved as "Popplets" which can be exported as PDF's or JPEG's.
Education Applications
Popplet is a great way for students to take notes in a mind map fashion. It allows for notes to be easily organized in whichever way is best for the student. It can also help with brainstorming project ideas and general organization.
UDL Applications
Popplet is great for visual learners. It allows them to use pictures instead of text to take their notes, and gives to ability to link ideas in meaningful ways, allowing for a more intuitive style of note taking, over the traditional text base approach which might not be the best for them, or students who struggle with reading or writing.
User Age
As per the terms of use available here, users of Popplet must be at least 13 years of age.
Visit Popplet's website at popplet.com
Audacity
The Basics
Audacity is a free open source audio recording and editing program. Users can use it to record sounds into their computer via microphone, and edit them. Audacity allows for the use of multiple plug-ins to manipulate the sound. Users can then export the recording into various file formats to allow for maximum compatibility.
Educational Applications
Audacity is a great tool for teachers who wish to create podcasts for their students. It's easy to use functionality and great compatibility allows teachers to easily create audio lessons or notes for students to be shared online.
UDL Applications
Audacity is a great tool for students who have trouble understanding text or trouble writing, as it allows them or their teacher to create audio notes. It's also great for students who need to spend large amounts of time out of the clasroom, possibly for medical reasons. The teachers of these students can use audacity to record entire lessons which can then be uploaded inline for the student to access remotely.
User Age
Audacity employs a GNU Gernal Public License, and as such has no minimum age requirment for users.
Download Audacity at audacityteam.org.