Some ideas to apply Technology in the Inclusive classroom

General description:

Not only can this tool be used online on its webpage, it can also be downloaded as an app. It allows students to create mind maps in an interactive way. 

How can this tool be appealing to students?

Learners can create and customize their own mind maps; plus, they can connect them to other mate’s creations. Besides, these can be shared as a JPEG or PDF.

Uses within the classroom:

• It can help students develop their organizational skills.

• SS can also learn how to take notes online and as they do so, they can even build a summary which will come in handy when having to study for a test. 

• SS can further develop their team work. 

How can it be used for inclusive education?

• For SS with disabilities such as dyslexia, this can be extremely useful since it allows multimedia such as pictures and videos.

• If a student needs to deliver an oral presentation and has anxiety or any other performance issues, Popplets with simple key words can be extremely reassuring. 

• Those SS who rely on visual aids to study will benefit greatly on this app to improve memory. 

Possible task:

Subject: History

Number of students: 27

Age: 16 year-olds 

Level: B2

After working on historical events from the 20th century, students have to get together in small groups (no more than 4), and develop their own timeline. The timeline must be concise and highlight the key points of each event. Students may include any type of multimedia that they think will help their mates remember the information better. Once they are done, they will share their creations on the class’s Google Classroom so everyone can access them to revise. 

Popplet tutorial

General description: 

This tool is an animation software that can be used to make videos. What is particularly appealing about it is that anyone can create scenes which can be done from scratch or even use ready-made templates and adapt them. These scenes will make up a sequence that when put together will create a complete animation. 

How can this tool be appealing to students?

SS don’t necessarily need to know how to draw or design. They can even add music and sound effects, and export other types of multimedia such as GIFs.

Uses within the classroom:

SS might create a presentation on a certain topic instead of just making a powerpoint presentation.

Instead of recording themselves, SS can work on a script and then sequence it to make a video. 

It also fosters teamwork and each student can even be in charge of whatever suits them better (writing, sequencing, editing, etc.). 

It is a great tool for flipped learning. For example, SS may get a powtoon from their teacher and then work on tasks. 

How can it be used for inclusive education?

It can be used with SS who undergo social or emotional challenges whenever they need to record themselves for a certain project or task.

Since sound is an option but not really key to creating a video, it would be super useful with students who have physical challenges such as hearing impairments. 

It’s also a great tool for those SS who learn through multisensory stimulation.

Possible task:

Subject: ESL 

Number of students: 27

Age: 13 year-olds 

Level: A1 

After working on the use of the Simple Present for routines. SS will have to work on a writing task in which they will describe their own routines, including the time. This task will be done in two parts:

Firstly, they will write a short paragraph describing what they do on a regular day. This will be checked by the teacher.

Once the writing has been corrected and drafted for a second time, SS will use that as a script to make their own Powtoon presentations. SS will have the freedom to include as much multimedia resources as they see fit. Then, they will show them with the rest of the class and post them on their Google Classroom or PLE. 

Powtoon tutorial