Monday, September 24, 2012

clp.ly 2.0 Web Tool


Clp.ly is a Web 2.0 tool that takes screenshots of a web page, that can then be embedded into a blog and it can also be saved when you create an account. Clp.ly allows you to add a bookmark on your tool bar, this gives you easy access to take screenshots. A new application that has recently been added to the clp.ly tool, is the use of adding personal notes to your clippings. Your clippings remain active and at any time, they can bring you back to the original site.  You can also search other users clippings on specific information.
I really liked this Web 2.0 tool because I know that I have always struggled with keeping my bookmarks organized and remembering what sites said what. I think clp.ly can be used to keep students organized when doing research, or just searching the web for things that interest them. Clp.ly would be an effective way of enhancing your classroom blogs, and making research more interesting. I believe it would be extremely effective for students with disabilities, for the mere fact that it increases organization and allows information to be found easily. Many students with disabilities need more than just written words to recall information; this is why the use of the screenshot can be helpful to remember what the webpage looks like. I would use this tool in the classroom, when doing research and classroom discussions on blogger, as you can post right from clp.ly to many blogging and social networking sites.
Here is a simple example of a clipping I created: http://s.tt/!1odsI
Here is the link to the clp.ly site: https://www.curate.us/ 

Monday, September 17, 2012

UDL and Web 2.0


1.) Web 2.0 within the parameters of education, works extremely well with Universal Design for Learning (UDL). The goal of UDL is to provide multiple means of representation, action and expression, and engagement, web 2.0 can enhance all three of these areas.  There are few words that come to mind after reading the Web 2.0 article, they are, collaboration, self expression, and knowledge. Web 2.0 and all the tools that come with it, allows student to connect with other students, not only in their classrooms, but all over the world. With the use of site like Facebook, Blogger, and Flicker, students cannot only express themselves, but see other do so as well. As an educator of students with and without disabilities, you can get your students involved in blogs that focus on classroom discussions or topics that will be addressed. Often, students become more engaged with the use of the internet and computer.
 As Dina Rosen and Charles Nelson say in the article “Web 2.0 A New Generation of Learners and Education”, “With the increased social interactivity that a Web 2.0 environment provides, information and experiences can be shared and published in many ways.” A Web 2.0 program within a classroom of students with disabilities can provide many different ways for the students to learn and grow in their education. A diverse class needs many options and outlets for learning, which is what Web 2.0 provides. As with anything else, there is always a potential for drawbacks, what if you push Web 2.0, and for some students it doesn’t work? You may have students who can’t handle the stigmatism of a computer screen, or the internet has too many distractions for them. This is when, as an educator you need to be extremely diverse and be able to use both new and old forms of education to reach all students.  
2.) I felt very naïve after watching the “Today Show” clip from 1994. It’s hard to believe that when I was a little girl, there was only slight knowledge about the internet and it was only used on a basic level. The internet has become such a big part of my life these past five years, that I didn’t even consider myself a “digital immigrant”, but basically all of my education, until I entered into college, had little to do with the internet. I believe we should be very aware of the impact this can have on this generation both good and bad. There are certainly many tools that can be used to enhance education and students involvement, but I don’t believe we should throw away all the old values of education, because many of them are still effective, even with the “digital natives”.