Microsoft Sway
Microsoft Sway can be a valuable tool to support the teaching strategy of Collaborative Learning. With Sway, educators can create interactive and visually engaging presentations that encourage active participation and collaboration among students. Teachers can design collaborative projects or assignments where students work together to research, gather information, and contribute content to a shared Sway presentation. Students can collaborate in real-time, adding text, images, videos, and other multimedia elements to the Sway. This promotes active engagement, critical thinking, and communication skills as students collaborate, share ideas, and present their collective knowledge. Sway's intuitive interface and seamless sharing capabilities make it an effective tool for fostering collaborative learning experiences in the classroom.
BCE Due Diligence Rating
Low Risk - Use Responsibly
Year Level Suitability Rating
Developmental Considerations
Potential Uses
Microsoft Sway can be used to enhance Collaborative Learning in the classroom.
Collaborative Presentation
Assign students to create digital presentations using Microsoft Sway. They can collaborate on a shared Sway presentation, each contributing their own section or topic. This augments traditional presentations by allowing for real-time collaboration, multimedia integration, and interactive elements.
Digital Story Book
Have students collaborate on creating digital storybooks using Sway. Each student can contribute a section or chapter, including text, images, and audio recordings. This modification transforms traditional storybook projects by incorporating digital collaboration, multimedia integration, and the ability to create interactive and engaging narratives.
Interactive Study Guide
Have students collaborate on creating interactive study guides using Sway. They can include key concepts, definitions, images, and links to additional resources. This augments traditional study guides by adding multimedia elements, interactivity, and the ability to collaborate and share knowledge.
Interactive Maps
Assign groups of students to create interactive maps using Sway, highlighting geographical features, landmarks, or historical events. They can include text, images, and simple interactive elements to enhance their maps. This activity promotes collaboration, research skills, and critical thinking.
Classroom Newsletter
Assign groups of students to create a Sway newsletter that highlights classroom events, student achievements, and upcoming activities. They can collaborate on content creation, including text, images, and videos. This redefines the traditional newsletter by incorporating digital collaboration, multimedia integration, and communication skills.
Problem Solving Showcase
Assign groups of students to solve math problems and create Sway presentations to showcase their problem-solving strategies. They can include visual representations, step-by-step explanations, and interactive elements. This activity promotes collaboration, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
PHYSICAL
COGNITIVE
SENSORY
SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL
Accessibility Features
Keyboard Navigation: Microsoft Sway supports keyboard navigation, allowing students with physical disabilities to navigate and interact with the platform using keyboard controls instead of relying on mouse or touch input.
Responsive Design: Sway's responsive design ensures that content automatically adjusts to different screen sizes and orientations, making it accessible for students who use adaptive devices or have physical limitations.
Design Templates: Sway offers a variety of design templates that provide structure and visual organization, making it easier for students with cognitive disabilities to create visually appealing and well-structured presentations.
Multimedia Integration: Sway allows students to incorporate multimedia elements such as images, videos, and audio, which can enhance comprehension and engagement for students with cognitive disabilities.
Closed Captioning: Sway supports closed captioning for videos, ensuring that students with hearing impairments can access the content and understand the audio components.
Visual Design Options: Sway provides various visual design options, including font styles, colors, and contrast settings, allowing students with visual impairments or sensory sensitivities to customize the visual appearance according to their needs.
Privacy Settings: Sway allows users to control the privacy settings of their presentations, providing students with social/emotional disabilities the option to limit the visibility of their work and feel more comfortable sharing it.
Collaborative Editing: Sway enables students to collaborate on presentations with their peers, fostering social interaction and providing opportunities for students with social/emotional disabilities to engage in teamwork and collaborative learning.
Making Functional Adjustments
PHYSICAL ADJUSTMENTS
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Keyboard Navigation: Sway supports keyboard shortcuts and navigation, allowing users with physical disabilities to navigate the interface without relying on a mouse.
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Responsive Design: Sway's responsive design ensures that content can be accessed and viewed on various devices, accommodating users with different physical needs and preferences.
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Touch and Gesture Support: Sway is compatible with touchscreens, allowing users with limited dexterity or mobility to interact with the application using touch or gestures.
SENSORY ADJUSTMENTS
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High Contrast Mode: Sway offers a high contrast mode, allowing users with visual impairments or sensitivity to adjust the color scheme for better visibility and readability.
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Screen Reader Compatibility: Sway is compatible with screen reader software, enabling individuals with visual impairments to access and navigate the application using assistive technology.
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Closed Captioning and Subtitles: Users can add closed captions or subtitles to multimedia content within Sway, making it accessible for individuals with hearing impairments.
COGNITIVE ADJUSTMENTS
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Design Templates: Sway provides pre-designed templates that help users organize and structure their content, making it easier for individuals with cognitive impairments to create visually appealing and coherent presentations.
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Auto-Design Feature: Sway's auto-design feature analyzes content and automatically generates visually appealing layouts, reducing cognitive load and simplifying the creation process.
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Multimedia Integration: Users can incorporate multimedia elements like images, videos, and audio into their Sway presentations, providing multiple modalities for information processing and enhancing comprehension for individuals with cognitive impairments.
SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL ADJUSTMENTS
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Collaboration and Sharing: Sway allows for real-time collaboration and sharing of presentations, promoting inclusivity and enabling individuals to work together on projects or share their work with others.
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Customization and Personalization: Users can customize the design, layout, and content of their Sway presentations, allowing for personalization and self-expression, which can positively impact social and emotional well-being.
Support for Universal Design for Learning
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Multiple Means of Representation
Sway allows users to represent information in various formats, including text, images, videos, and audio. Users can incorporate multimedia elements, choose from a variety of design templates, and customize the layout and visual presentation of their content. This flexibility supports learners in accessing information through different modalities, catering to their individual preferences and needs.
2
Multiple Means of Engagement
Sway promotes engagement by providing features that enhance the learning experience. Users can collaborate in real-time, share their presentations with others, and receive feedback. Sway's interactive elements, such as quizzes, polls, and embedded web content, encourage active participation and interaction. The ability to customize and personalize presentations also fosters a sense of ownership and engagement among learners.
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Multiple Means of Expression
With Sway, users have multiple options for creating and expressing their ideas. They can input text, add images, embed videos, record audio, and incorporate interactive elements. Sway's intuitive interface and drag-and-drop functionality make it easy for users to organize and present their content in a visually appealing and engaging manner. This variety of options allows learners to choose the most effective means of demonstrating their understanding and expressing their thoughts.