From Social Software to Inclusive Communities of Learning

Today's classrooms exhibit a wide range of diversity in terms of background, learning styles and preferences and abilities. Freely available "social software" on the web, such as photo, video, and bookmark-sharing sites, (blogs, podcasts, and wikis), can help foster inclusion for all students in your classroom when combined with CAST's Universal Design for Learning framework by building upon learners' strengths. This presentation will explore: * various forms of social software and the potential each holds for bringing out the strengths of individual learners; * aligning social software-based activities to standards; and * the potential pitfalls of using social software, including issues of privacy, safety, and the unfortunate potential to bring about new forms of "disabilities."