Evaluation of Some Technical Resources

http://www.learninginhand.com/podcasting/index.html
This site discusses the many uses for podcasting in the classroom. The site offers ideas for both teacher and student use. For example, others’ podcasts can be researched and used to teach certain content, teachers can design their own lesson plans as podcasts, or students can use podcasts as a medium for demonstrating understanding. The information on this site is directed at any student or teacher with implications for the enhancement and alternative assessment podcasts can provide for students with disabilities, especially those with visual impairments or certain learning disabilities. For example, they would be particularly useful in my classroom both with students needing to develop oral language skills and with those who would benefit from an oral rather than a written assessment. The students in my resource class would benefit from using podcasts in both of the above-mentioned capacities and they will be designing their own as a method of previewing potential careers, which coordinates with the self-advocacy focus of my blog (Vincent, Tony. Learning in Hand).

http://en.childrenslibrary.org/
“The mission of the International Children’s Digital Library Foundation is to excite and inspire the world's children to become members of the global community – children who understand the value of tolerance and respect for diverse cultures, languages and ideas -- by making the best in children's literature available online.”
I selected this site to review for two reasons: I have noticed that my students lack an awareness of world geography and world cultures, and they have previously reviewed a children’s book for an elementary school as a writing exercise, which was very effective. This site supports both of these goals. The site provides easy access (books can be read online) to a range of books from different countries and written in different languages. After reviewing some of the stories and the way the site functions, I discovered that it is very user friendly and designed to make reading fun, easy, and culturally enriching. This site offers access to books in a format that allows more independence for the reader who may lack certain motor function or have visual impairment. Additionally, as members, readers can interact with others through the site in ways such as creating games and activities. As discussed earlier, I would have my students write and post book reviews based on the sites featured books; this supports the aspects of both the site and my blog that promote community participation (International Children's Digital Library Foundation non-profit corporation).

http://www.projectparticipate.org/
“Project Participate provides families, educators, administrators and therapists with simple strategies to increase the active participation of students with disabilities in school programs.” This site focuses on supporting those who collaborate on behalf of students to improve participation through using strategies and appropriate technology. One example tip offered on the site is how to provide active versus passive participation opportunities. I have been finding the site most useful for gaining ideas on how to best provide for the most meaningful participation for students with disabilities, particularly for those with more severe disabilities. I could use some of the alternative models of participation with a student of mine with autism. Explore the site to find great ideas on modifications and accommodations for typical, everyday class activities that allow equal participation. This site is certainly an advocacy tool for teachers, parents, and others who work with children with disabilities (University of Colorado Health Science Center).

http://www.gatfl.org/LearningDisabilitiesGuide/tabid/456/Default.aspx
This section of the “Tools for Life” site offers assistive technology ideas and resources for students with learning disabilities. As discussed on the site, the AT is designed to help students “work around” disabilities in school and other environments rather than to “fix” disabilities – in other words compensation rather than remediation. As stated on the site, “assistive technology provides a means for students with learning problems to accomplish tasks independently.” With such technology appropriate for the individual student, a given student is able to self-advocate more confidently. Students become experts on what works for them. The site directs users to other resources and highlights specific resources in certain areas of disability, such as, writing using intellitalk, reading with various text-to-speech programs, and doing math with “Cruncher”. In addition to AT, the site discusses effective learning strategies for students with learning disabilities (Georgia’s Assistive Technology Act Program).

http://www.ldonline.org/indepth/technology
LDonline is “the world’s leading website on learning disabilities and ADHD.” The link above takes you to the technology page, which acts as a sort of “first stop” directory to resources and topics related to learning disabilities. Beginning with an overview of what can be accessed from the section, it includes: multimedia, recommended books, recommended links, top articles, questions and answers, related areas, and discussion forums. It is designed to help people help themselves, and would be useful for teachers, parents, older students, and other advocates. Certain links and sections are appropriate or designed for younger children as well. The site also links users to resources that connect specifications in 504 plans and IEPs to modifications and accommodations, including technology. The site focuses on authoritative resources on a number of disability-related topics, connecting users to sites such as Wrightslaw, scholarly journals articles and books, and guides to choosing AT. This site is ideal for adults and older students who need introductory information, information on best practices, information on the law, direction to technological tools, or who are collaborating to support students. This site would be very helpful in working with my older students who are beginning to explore their disabilities and abilities for themselves and are learning to find the resources they need to be successful (LDonline, national educational service of WETA-TV).