Learner Description: This activity was written for a workshop for teachers to learn about collaborative tools they can use in the classroom.
Please note: All links open in a new browser window.

This activity is a group project where each group member will learn about one specific collaboration tool and share it with the group. You will help each other become experts in each tool you've researched. It is modeled on the Jigsaw classroom cooperative learning technique.

Instructions

The class will be divided into groups of 4. Each group member will choose a number from 1-4, corresponding to a tool. Members will test out the tool they've been assigned and write up their conclusions. Groups will reshuffle into "expert groups" based on their number and compare conclusions with each other. They will rehearse their notes and prepare to present them to their original group. Once they are confident that they understand the tool they've been assigned they will return to their original group where members will take turns presenting their conclusions to the group. At the end of the activity group members will be familiar with each of the tools.

Expert groups will focus on answering the following questions, plus noting whatever else they find interesting about the tool.

  1. What type of information is shared with this tool? (text, media)
  2. What are the key elements of this type of tool?
  3. Can you moderate students' content?
  4. Does this tool promote interactivity between students and teachers?
  5. What age group is your tool appropriate for?
Collaboration Tools for Teachers
  Topic Links
Expert Group 1

Presentation tools

These tools allow teachers to share content they’ve created on a certain topic in a more visual way than lecture or notes

http://www.sliderocket.com/
http://show.zoho.com/
http://docs.google.com/
Expert Group 2

Wiki

A wiki is a collaborative web site created by a community of learners. It allows for multiple authors and editors.

http://www.wiki.com/
http://www.wetpaint.com/
http://www.wikispaces.com/
Expert Group 3

Blogs

Blogs can facilitate online discussions and make it easy for students to contribute to a community knowledgebase. RSS subscription allows for easy following of updates.

http://wordpress.com/
http://www.blogger.com/
http://edublogs.org/
Expert Group 4

Social Bookmarking

Bookmarking, or Tagging, tools, allow users to share interesting webpages they find with other users. Users can choose to follow specific users, such as a teacher, to see when they add new bookmarks.

http://delicious.com/
http://www.twine.com/
http://www.buddymarks.com/
http://sourceforge.net/projects/scuttle/

 


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