Web Tools

Technology recommendations that appear in recent literature for supporting students with learning difficulties involve the use and development of the extensive collection of Web 2.0 tools. Web 2.0 is a relatively new category of Internet-based tools and functionalities that encourage collaboration and sharing between users online. Before Web 2.0, Internet users “pulled” needed information from the Web. Web 2.0 permits users to build and share Websites, text messaging, podcasts, Webcasts, video, social networks, blogs, wikis, interactive games, productivity tools, mind mapping tools, search agents, Web conferencing and language and resource sharing activities that are “pushed” from the Web. Web 2.0 applications allow users to both read and write content that appears online. Videos, graphics, photos, and text are placed online with little effort. Widely used by students, these tools are highly engaging and motivate students to communicate through pictures and writing with their friends, classmates, and the Internet world.