The+Key+to+Everything+Organization

Students with learning disabilities often struggle with executive function skills (organizing, planning, keeping track of multiple tasks, remembering important information). In the classroom, teachers help these students develop executive function skills through the use of checklists, agendas, calendars, and to-do lists. Rather than Web 2.0 creating barriers for these students, Web 2.0 tools can help students develop strategies to overcome barriers.
 * The Key to Everything: Organization**

Students can create to-do lists on their phones, through emails, or on Twitter. Ta-da Lists is a web based tool that not only lets students create lists, but share lists. The lists even have a box to check when the item is done. On-line calendars are another Web 2.0 tool that students can use. Students and parents can create Google Calendars, where the student can keep track of assignments, and parents can monitor progress. Both of these tools helps the student to learn how to organize himself or herself.

Teachers can use an on-line calendar for assignments. Assign-a-Day is an easy-to-use on-line calendar from 4 teachers.org. The teacher can create a calendar for each subject and then add different assignments and details about each assignment. The teacher gives students the URL for the calendar, and students can access the calendar from home. When a student is absent, he/she just has to go to the Assign-a-Day calendar and see the assignments. The calendar is also a great way for students and parents to see when assignments are due. Students can use the calendar in learning how to plan out the completing of bigger assignments.

For older students who have to complete in-depth research projects, sites like Diigo and EverNote have highlighting and sticky note features that students can use as they research on the internet. Diigo lets students tag resources and organize bookmarks. EverNote lets students upload snapshots of information, like notes on a classroom whiteboard, to the website. Students can also scan documents into notes. EverNotes also has an audio notes feature, which many learning disabled students would find helpful.

Web 2.0 tools can present many barriers for people with disabilities, but for those who struggle with executive function skills, Web 2.0 also has many tools to help overcome barriers.

Web 2.0 and New Media Tools for Organization and Planning: http://www.inclusiveschools.org/Web_%2526_New_Media_Tools Ta-da Lists: http://tadalist.com/ Assign-a-Day: http://assignaday.4teachers.org/