Web+2.0+Tools+for+Collaboration

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=Things to consider when selecting a site to use with students:= = = = =
 * Do they need an email account?
 * Can you track changes by student?
 * Is there a discussion tab?
 * Is assessment needed? If so, how will you do it?
 * What will you accept as far as spelling, grammar, punctuation?
 * What 21st century skills will they be developing?
 * What skills might you need to develop before doing a collaborative activity with students?
 * Bandwidth (speed) - site blocked? Check it out first.
 * Are there responsible adults on the other end?
 * Is it possible students could see inappropriate material? If so, how would you handle it if they do?
 * //**Think outside your classroom walls - that is what this is all about!**//

=One: Writeboard = [|Writeboard]
 * Sharable text documents
 * Allows you to see previous versions and make comparisons.
 * Password protected.
 * Students do not need email, but it can be used.
 * Soooo easy to set up and use.

Let's try it out. (password for all is practice) [|Practice One] [|Practice Two] [|Practice Three] [|Practice Four] [|Practice Five]

=Two: Etherpad = [|Etherpad]

= = =Three: Skype and other video conferencing tools = [|Online videoconferencing] [|Skype] [|Ustream] [|Oovoo] ( a few technical issues with the Mac platform )
 * Free text, audio and video collaboration.
 * Software is needed but it is free - and cross platform.

Additionally, all districts in the state have videoconferencing equipment. There are many programs available free and for purchase. [|CILC] - just one source for finding partners

=Four: Google Docs, Spreadsheets, Presentation, Forms =
 * [|Using Google Docs in the Classroom]
 * [|Google Templates]
 * Need a Google Account - email is necessary.
 * Documents can be accessed from anywhere online.
 * Works just like Word, Excel and Power Point.
 * COLLABORATION - multiple people can be working on the same documents at the same time.
 * Can always view past versions.
 * You can set up document and invite students to join - or (better yet) they create the document and invite you to join.
 * Zoho.com - very similar site

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= = =Five: Wikispaces = media type="youtube" key="-dnL00TdmLY&hl=en" height="344" width="425"
 * [|Why Wikis?]
 * Create a site, which can be made up of several pages.
 * Can be public (totally open) or private (password protected).
 * *Anyone can edit, *Only those that join can edit, *Only one person can edit.
 * Student user names and passwords can be set up without email by sending a spreadsheet to the company.
 * Teachers can get ad-free wikispaces.
 * Read this first before for information on Wikispaces for Teachers.
 * Similar sites - PBWiki, Moodle Wiki

=Six: Diigo = media type="youtube" key="0RvAkTuL02A&hl=en" height="344" width="425"
 * Online Community.
 * Share Bookmarks.
 * Create Groups.
 * Discussion within the groups.
 * Information on Websites can be highlighted and annotated.
 * Toolbar must be loaded.

=Seven: Collaborative Searching = Google Search: [|iBreadcrumbs.com]
 * Create a Custom Search Editor (under Other). Results to students will be limited to these specified search engines.
 * Google Account Needed
 * You will get your own URL for it.
 * Invite up to 100 people to add sites to the search results.
 * Special Toolbar needed
 * Great thing for researching many websites at the same time.

=Eight: Interesting Collaborative Tools = [|ClassCentral] - create and/or find study groups [|Penzu] - online journal which allows for emailing chosen entries. [|Notesake] - online note organizer [|Twiddla] - online whiteboard collaboration [|Twitter] - microblogging

=Nine: Finding Collaborators = [|Taking It Global] [|ePals] [|CILC] [|TWICE] [|Apple Learning Interchange] [|Intercultural Email Collaboration] [|Bridges to Understanding]

Please keep in mind that there are thousands of Web 2.0 tools available. These are just a few. As you discover more on your own, please share them!

[|Best Online Tools for Collaboration]

=Ten: Other = [|glogster.com/edu] - A class can interact together on one glog (think multimedia digital poster) or each student can create their own yet be linked together to the class. This site rocks for creating awesome digital "posters" with great graphics, sound, and video (recorded from your laptop). Very simple to use. The EDU version allows you to create 200 student accounts (no emails needed). Take a look at these samples created by my students. The assignment was to create an interacting listening poster. Incidently, we then embedded these questions into moodle's quiz feature which then made these posters into quiz questions that can be graded. [|Sample1], [|Sample 2] (Submitted by Nathan Hammond)

[|wordchamp.com] - This site allows for flashcard collaboration (cards with sound and pictures). You can create a class account and assign cards to be practiced and see how your students. You can easily add audio and pictures--very easy. You can create an mp3 download of up to 250 words. It also has a very powerful flashcard reviewing system where words you don't know show up to be tested more often than words you know well.

[|quizlet.com] - Another flashcard program (very easy to use)