Closing the Communication Gap: 'Web 2.0 Tools for Enhanced Planning and Collaboration'

Web 2.0 is expanding the way general and special educators collaborate, especially in co-teaching situations. This article draws attention to several free web-based tools and a co-teaching lesson plan supplement that can be used to incorporate Web 2.0 technologies during the co-planning, co-teaching and shared reflection processes between the general and special educator. This article highlights five Web 2.0 applications that can be incorporated to save time, document consultation and co-teaching strategies, as well as overcome many co-teaching barriers, such as lack of planning time. Finally, recommendations for teachers on how to successfully implement Web 2.0 tools within the co-teaching environment will be shared, along with considerations for working within district guidelines regarding information sharing online. (Contains 1 table and 4 figures.)