When researching through Google I found a definition of what collaboration tools/learning is. “Collaborative learning is essentially people working together to solve a problem, create a product, or find the meaning from a certain topic being discussed.” Online collaboration tools can be used in a way for students to feel comfortable in an environment that’s bigger than their classroom, it is also a way for students to learn through working with others. Others can be either students in the same class, same school, or even in a different country. Teachers have been trying to get their students to use collaboration tools because using these tools can have the students deliver a wide array of functions. For example, they can learn how to communicate with others from different countries. They can learn to edit documents, use whiteboards, learn different games, and being able to manage their learning in a way that’s fun for them. When the teachers have the students work with each other and learn how to collaborate with each other, it is giving the students an opportunity to work as a team. Later in life, these students may work where working as a team is an essential part for their job. For example, I found something online that said that they found a recent study and it shows that employers are looking for people who can work effectively in teams. Using collaboration tools can help students learn how to use technology, teamwork, and linking their students to classrooms across the globe. This sounds a lot like a big corporate job where they may use Skype to interact with people from different countries.
One online collaboration tools that students can use is Proofhub. It’s an online collaboration tool that organizes learning group projects, with communication and collaboration among people that are from different countries. They can communicate through group chat, share files, documents, and information. Another great online collaboration tool would be Google Docs. This online tool can connect each student on one document that can be written on, edited, and can have group chats. If one student is somewhere else they can still go online and type their ideas on the document and each group member will be able to see it. The last online tool that I thought would be a good collaboration tool would be, Skype. This online communication tools offers video chat and group chats. It can boost online group learning all around the globe. For example, one classroom used it to guess where each of the classrooms are. They asked questions to see if they could figure out which state they are from and multiple more information. Some students even documented facts down to keep tract of what they were asking and answering.
Online collaboration tools have enabled smooth and fast communication, collaboration among student from different countries, and being able to use technology in the classroom to learn. These students can gain more information from the experience of their classmates and other teachers. These tools provide instructional information and strategies that are created by teachers to enhance knowledge of certain subjects and student’s skills. This has benefited to reach out to more students globally beyond the classroom.
My top 3 collaboration tools that I would use in my future classroom would be
Some ways that I could use this in the classroom setting would be when we are taking about geography. For geography I could put a picture up of a certain landmark from a state or country that we are talking about. Once I put the picture up I can put links on certain objects that are in the picture. Once the students click on the link it will take them to an article or video that will tell them more about that subject. Another way I could use this would be each week have a student put a picture up on their ThingLink and have links/information about themselves that they want their classmates to know about them. This is a good way for each student to know a little bit about his or her classmate. The students could put interesting facts about themselves or even interesting vacations they have been on. There are multiple things the students could put in this.
Skype
One way I could use this in the classroom setting would be when we are talking about Pen Pals. Students will no longer have to use a pen and paper to communicate with students their age from different countries. The first thing teachers have to do is sign up with ePals. Once the teacher signs up for that he or she will have to make sure that Skype is downloaded on the computer. From there the students can collaborate with other students, share information, ask and answer questions, and video chat. Using this tool would be good because the students would be able to meet student their age from different countries. They would be able to learn information about where they are from, what school is like for them, and several more.
Padlet
One way I could use this in the classroom would be when the students have a project they are working individually. Each student would first read a book of his or her choice and do a book report on it. Once they have finished the book report they can go onto Padlet and talk about it. On Padlet the students can put a picture up of the book they read. They would have all the information like author and illustrator, summary, and why they choose this book. Since each student would put up their book other students could see what books the class read and maybe later read them too. I think that it gives the students the freedom to pick a book they like and talk about it.
One online collaboration tools that students can use is Proofhub. It’s an online collaboration tool that organizes learning group projects, with communication and collaboration among people that are from different countries. They can communicate through group chat, share files, documents, and information. Another great online collaboration tool would be Google Docs. This online tool can connect each student on one document that can be written on, edited, and can have group chats. If one student is somewhere else they can still go online and type their ideas on the document and each group member will be able to see it. The last online tool that I thought would be a good collaboration tool would be, Skype. This online communication tools offers video chat and group chats. It can boost online group learning all around the globe. For example, one classroom used it to guess where each of the classrooms are. They asked questions to see if they could figure out which state they are from and multiple more information. Some students even documented facts down to keep tract of what they were asking and answering.
Online collaboration tools have enabled smooth and fast communication, collaboration among student from different countries, and being able to use technology in the classroom to learn. These students can gain more information from the experience of their classmates and other teachers. These tools provide instructional information and strategies that are created by teachers to enhance knowledge of certain subjects and student’s skills. This has benefited to reach out to more students globally beyond the classroom.
My top 3 collaboration tools that I would use in my future classroom would be
- ThingLink
- Skype
- Padlet
Some ways that I could use this in the classroom setting would be when we are taking about geography. For geography I could put a picture up of a certain landmark from a state or country that we are talking about. Once I put the picture up I can put links on certain objects that are in the picture. Once the students click on the link it will take them to an article or video that will tell them more about that subject. Another way I could use this would be each week have a student put a picture up on their ThingLink and have links/information about themselves that they want their classmates to know about them. This is a good way for each student to know a little bit about his or her classmate. The students could put interesting facts about themselves or even interesting vacations they have been on. There are multiple things the students could put in this.
Skype
One way I could use this in the classroom setting would be when we are talking about Pen Pals. Students will no longer have to use a pen and paper to communicate with students their age from different countries. The first thing teachers have to do is sign up with ePals. Once the teacher signs up for that he or she will have to make sure that Skype is downloaded on the computer. From there the students can collaborate with other students, share information, ask and answer questions, and video chat. Using this tool would be good because the students would be able to meet student their age from different countries. They would be able to learn information about where they are from, what school is like for them, and several more.
Padlet
One way I could use this in the classroom would be when the students have a project they are working individually. Each student would first read a book of his or her choice and do a book report on it. Once they have finished the book report they can go onto Padlet and talk about it. On Padlet the students can put a picture up of the book they read. They would have all the information like author and illustrator, summary, and why they choose this book. Since each student would put up their book other students could see what books the class read and maybe later read them too. I think that it gives the students the freedom to pick a book they like and talk about it.