Web Applications for Special Needs Students

Kim Peacock, B.Ed, M.EdTechnology Professional Development

What are Web Applications?• Allow you to perform tasks or create

objects without software.

• Often known as “Web 2.0” applications.

• Often have an element of social interaction.

• Accessible from anywhere.

• Usually FREE!

Risks• Tools go up and down.

• Tools get bought out.

• Tools may create thing that can’t leave the confines of the particular web site (e.g./ can’t be downloaded to a disc/dvd/etc…)

• Students with computers at home may get to spend more time on projects than students without since it’s easily accessible.

Range of Tools…• Consider student motivation

• Consider range of motor skills

• Consider learning styles

• Consider literacy and communication skills.

ToonDoo• ToonDoo

http://toondoo.com/Home.do

• Reasons for Explorationhttp://www.toondoo.com/toondoo/ViewBook.toon?bookid=12301

• The Importance of Squantohttp://www.toondoo.com/toondoo/ViewBook.toon?bookid=11741

• Prince Henry’s Contributions http://www.toondoo.com/toondoo/ViewBook.toon?bookid=11706

Bubble Ply• Bubble Ply

http://www.bubbleply.com/

• Pop-up-video (research tool?)http://www.bubbleply.com/player.aspx?pid=b1bf700f-6f47-4364-9dd7-e413706860b9

• Language/Translation Toolhttp://www.bubbleply.com/player.aspx?pid=EE1549C5-E35B-4F64-AA80-D4C1A220102F

• Good assessment / feedback tool for video assignments!

Screen-Cast-O-Matic• Screen-Cast-O-Matic

http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/

• Assessment / Peer Feedbackhttp://www.screencast-o-matic.com/watch/ciQZXIgH

• Instructional Contenthttp://www.screencast-o-matic.com/watch/ciQlh3Ap

• Good for students with social issues for presentations and research!

Google Maps• Google Maps

http://maps.google.ca

• Community Walkhttp://www.communitywalk.com/calgary/alberta/my_first_neighborhood/map/140666

• Google Lit Tripshttp://www.googlelittrips.org/

Multimedia Presentations• SPresent -

http://www.spresent.com/v2/

• Empressrhttp://www.empressr.com/

• Animotohttp://animoto.com/

• Funtigo Scrapbookshttp://funtigo.com/?cr=3&rfm=y

VoiceThread• VoiceThread

http://voicethread.com/

• I think this is my favorite one…• Almost like a wiki with audio… allows

users to annotate and expand with voice recordings.

• Can be used for presentation, storytelling, and so much more…

• http://voicethread.com/view.php?b=3352• http://voicethread.com/view.php?b=409• http://voicethread.com/view.php?b=4973

Other Cool Tools• SceneCaster: Create virtual dioramas

http://www.scenecaster.com/view22/web/home.jsp

• Mapwig: Build and share virtual tourshttp://www.mapwing.com/

• Letterpop: Newsletter publisherhttp://letterpop.com/

• More…http://www.protopage.com/web2point0forteachers

Thanks!kim.peacock@ualberta.ca