Can We Work Together? Using Online Collaborative Tools
Cathy Nelson and Fran Bullington
2009 Upstate Technology Conference, Greenville, South Carolina
"Collaboration is not a 21st Century Skill, it is a 21st Century Essential."
~ Andrew Churches, Curriculum Manager Computer Studies and ICT PD Cluster Co-Director
Kristin School, Auckland, New Zealand
Wiki
What is it?
A wiki is a website that makes creating and maintaining linked pages easy. Its nature encourages collaboration as users add to or edit the knowledge on the site.
What are its educational uses?
The educational uses of a wiki are unlimited! Let students create and post content (documents, photographs, artwork, videos, podcasts, etc.) on topics related to a course. Teachers can collaborate with other teachers in their school, district, state, country, or around the world.
Why use a wiki?
- By contributing to wikis, students are engaged in making connections, analyzing and editing content, and creating new content.
- Using a wiki teaches students real world skills of collaboration and digital literacy. The wiki is the final product of a class or assignment, but it is also an editable website that can constantly evolve.
- Students are using higher order thinking skills when creating and editing wikis.
- Wikis address multiple learning styles.
Google Docs
What is it?
"Google Docs is a free, Web-based word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, and form application offered by Google. It allows users to create and edit documents while online collaborating in real-time with other other users." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Docs)
What are its educational uses?
Teachers and students can collaborate to create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations and store them online. Because not all students have access to MS Office software from home, Google Docs helps to level the playing field allowing all participants with Internet access the ability to edit the documents from anywhere.
Why use Google Docs?
- Using Google Docs to collaborate, students are engaged in making connections, analyzing and editing content, and creating new content.
- Using this form of online collaboration teaches students real world skills of collaboration and digital literacy. Google Docs provides students with the means to create and store final products to share with others. As with wikis, these products can constantly evolve.
- Students are using higher order thinking skills when creating and editing documents with Google Docs.
- Google Docs address multiple learning styles.
Which Collaborative Tool Should I Use?
Start with the end product in mind when choosing either Google Docs or a wiki. Remember, you can upload existing documents to either tool.
-
Do you want students to create a presentation or document to share with the class? (Use Google Docs.)
-
Do you want students to create a website that contains documents, presentations, photos, videos, and podcasts? (Use a wiki.)
How Do I Get Started?
1. Play with the tool so that you become familiar with it. As you become more familiar with it, you'll begin to see how you can incorporate it into your classroom, library, or district.
2. Explore how others have used the tool in education. The Internet offers a wealth of information on the educational uses of these tools.
3. Plan your project. Some things to consider:
- What standards will it address?
- How will you evaluate the project?
- How will students be grouped?
- What will each student's role be in the project?
- How will you teach students to use the tool?
4. Before teaching students how to use the tools, teach digital citizenship. Students need to know what behavior is acceptable.
Questions?
Our presentation is online at: