Collaborative+Tools

GENERAL TOOLS

 * Article from Tech and Learning: 100 Web Tools to Enhance Collaboration Part I, and Part 2
 * Students and instructors use [|Wiggio] to collaborate on projects, case studies, labs, study groups, and class initiatives.

BACK CHANNELS - the practice of using networked computers to maintain a real-time online conversation alongside the primary group activity or live spoken remarks.

 * ** TodaysMeet ** is a back channel for questions, comments, and feedback in any class. Users don't have to sign up, they simply go to the room that you have set up. Hook your computer up to a projector and view comments from Today's Meet as they are coming in. This site is completely device agnostic, as long as there is internet connectivity of wi-fi, Today's Meet can be used with any laptop, smartphone, tablet, or other handheld device. Grades 4-12. ( AASL 2014 Best Websites for Teaching and Learning )

Blogs-
These sites are used to share information, photos, videos, etc. They are fantastic for students to create projects on a given topic--then they can be shared! ( AASL 2013 Best Websites for Teaching and Learning ) ||
 * ** Blogger ** This is one of the great Google Apps. Teachers can create units that will contain everything you need for a lesson... links to specific websites, quizzes, etc. Here is a [|video] to get you started.
 * Another good blog site is ** Edublogs ** . Teachers will be able to approve any comments before they are actually posted. Features include downloading batches of names for accounts.
 * ** Edmodo ** is a terrific solution for blogging in the classroom and it is free. It allows teachers to create student accounts and monitor all their activity..
 * ** WordPress ** - a very popular but a little more complicated blogger - requires an install and setup.
 * ** Penzu ** allows users to choose if they want their posts to be public or private.
 * < [[image:http://www.ala.org/aasl/sites/ala.org.aasl/files/content/guidelinesandstandards/bestlist/right_nav_pods/quadblogging.png link="@http://quadblogging.net/"]] ||< ** QuadBlogging ** connects students in four different schools around the corner or around the world to blog with a purpose. Teachers sign up on this site and are linked with three other schools matching preferences selected in the sign up process. Grades 3-12.

DOCUMENTS

 * **Google Docs** - great for creating online agendas, collaborative lesson planning, and for student collaborative work. Also see, GOOGLE FOR TEACHERS and WRITING TOOLS below.

[|PenPal Schools] connects students in 144 countries to learn together. PenPals are matched by age to collaborate through free high-quality online projects to learn about cultures and global challenges while practicing language and technology skills. (ages 8-18)

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NOTE SHARING - (ALSO SEE STUDENT TOOLS)

 * ** VideoNotes This is worth checking out!** Allows students and teachers to view videos from YouTube, Khan Academy, any video with a URL and take notes as they watch. The notes are automatically synchronized with a position in the film, allowing you to jump back to that film position later. The video/notes file automatically saves to Google Drive and can then be shared for viewing or collaborative note taking. Can also be exported to Evernote. Can be used for flipped classroom video assignments, having students take notes as they watch, and share the notes with the instructor to demonstrate completion of the assigned material. For teachers, this is an easy way to mark short clips of a longer video that you want to show your class. ( AASL 2014 Best Websites for Teaching and Learning )

REVIEW GAMES

 * [|Kahoot] - a free game-based learning platform that makes it fun to learn – any subject, in any language, on any device, for all ages!
 * ==**[|Quizizz] - a fun multiplayer quiz game which can be played on devices or desktops. Very similar to Kahoot, but students can see questions on their own device and can work at their own pace. This allows the game to be played in class or as homework.**==
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 * Quizlet Live  allows teachers to select a set of vocabulary words in Quizlet to use for a review game that students play in teams. (Much like Kahoot )
 * [|Triventy] - Also similar to Kahoot, a game platform which enables you to write, run and host quizzes and surveys in your classroom. Your students will participate in the game using their smartphones - without any prior installation - while you run the game on a large screen - just like you would run a presentation.

SOCIAL NETWORKING - -enables you to keep in contact with students or parents

 * [|Creatubbles] lets students share art and other creative projects in a safe, online social network. Children enjoy engaging in discussions about their projects with other children from around the world. Galleries can also be created and shared with parents. All uploads and comments are reviewed and approved by a manager before becoming publicly available. Designed for ages 2-15.
 * **Edmodo**is a great site. It is a free, secure social learning network designed just for teachers! Teachers and students **can send notes, links, files, alerts, assignments, and events** to each other. Teachers sign up for accounts, then create groups. Each group has a unique code which is distributed by the teacher to the class. Students then sign up (no email is required) and join the group using the code. Some new features include the ability for students to collaborate, teachers can give "badges" which can work as incentives, a quiz builder for assessment, and updated apps. Blogging is included.
 * [|Google+] - A great social network and alternative to Facebook. Google+ really shines with its control and visually stunning video chat (hangouts) features.

STUDENT RESPONSE SYSTEMS
A ** student response system ** allows large groups of students to vote on a topic or answer a question. Each person has a device with which selections can be made. In a hardware solution, a remote communicates with a computer. In a software solution, a mobile divice communicates via SMS or the internet. After a set time – or after all participants have answered – the system ends the polling for that particular question and tabulates the results. media type="custom" key="27165738"
 * ** Kahoot ** is a classroom student response system that is completely device agnostic. Whether they are using laptops, iPads, Chromebooks, Google Tablets, various smartphones or more; if students can access the internet they can respond to all of the information provided via Kahoot. Using a simple drag and drop feature instructors can create quizzes, discussion, or surveys (which they call Kahoots) all of which can be embedded with images, text, video and more. Grades K-12. ( AASL 2014 Best Websites for Teaching and Learning )
 * [|Plickers] - free app lets you poll your class for free, without the need for student devices.  Just give each student a card (a “paper clicker”), and use your Android smartphone, tablet or iOS device to scan them to do instant checks-for-understanding, exit tickets, and impromptu polls. Best of all, your data is automatically saved, student-by-student, at plickers.com. Watch this short video to see it in action.
 * [|Poll Everywhere] - gives students the option to respond to questions, either by texting or from a web site. It is easy to use (a poll can be set up in a few minutes), and teachers can use it for free with up to 30 students at a time.

VIDEO/VOICE CONFERENCING

 * **[|Skype in the Classroom]**- A free and easy way for teachers to open up their classroom. Three ways to use Skype in the classroom:
 * Collaborate with other classes, no matter where they are
 * Find guest speakers and invite them into your classroom
 * Take a virtual field trip anywhere in the world

WALLS, WHITEBOARDS AND PADS

 * Dotstorming  - Brainstorming tool -Create a space for people to post digital sticky notes containing text and or images. Once notes are posted, people can vote for their favorite notes.
 * **[|Scribblar]** is an online meeting room / white board. Students can use it to **collaborate on projects**, teachers can tutor via the computer, and teachers can use it for **collaborative meetings and projects.**
 * ** Stoodle ** Similar to Scribblar - Communicate with other teachers and librarians via video conferencing and text chat, use Stoodle Boards for brain storming and come back to the boards later to peruse your ideas. Create boards in class with students and keep them to show other classes or build on throughout the day. Upload images, work with others, build study guides, provide feedback and more. Grades K-12. ( AASL 2014 Best Websites for Teaching and Learning )

WIKIS - (Also see WIKIS and How to Create One)
These are collaborative projects in which students can all add information. This can include information, pictures, video clips, and links to other helpful websites. They can correct each other's work and you, as the teacher can see who made each change or contribution.
 * **Wikispaces** from Google is one of the best since there is a site just for educators where your wiki can be //**private**//--meaning viewable and accessible by only the members you choose--such as your own class(es). Teachers may set up wikis that contain no ads--like the wiki you are looking at right now. Click **HERE** for **Teacher Tips** on creating and editing your wiki.

WRITING
For collaborative writing tools, see Web 2.0 Tools