Collaboration Tools

General comments

Collaboration tools are methods of people working together to create a product, solve a problem or understand concepts.  Usually there is a central question that the group is trying to answer.  These tools can be used to facilitate communication, manage projects, create projects, build consensus, manage resources, and sharing information.  Ashley Deal from Carnegie Mellon has a white paper describing Collaboration Tools movement to online that is helpful. She discusses problem-based learning in a collaborative online format, pros and cons, and methods for evaluating groups.
One site that contains many communication tools along with other tools is the 50-free collaboration tools. Another good site for many web 2.0 tools is the cool tools for schools website. Below are categories and examples of collaboration tools used in education.

Group Projects and Papers

Google Docs

The ability to not only share documents but to edit simultaneously makes collaborating with colleagues anywhere possible.  Colleagues can share, open and edit the documents together. The features can easily be opened in MSWord or MACWord.  The edit features, however, are limited and do not have all the features of Word.  Usually collaborative editing involves only content editing then fine editing points can be completed in Word.  Google Docs not only includes a word processor like Word but also includes free presentation and spreadsheet software for individuals although there is a small charge for businesses. Google has integrated its software into Google Drive now and so opening Google Drive has to be done first then you simply click on the Create button and choose the type of document you want to create.  It is so seamless that you don't realize you are in the word processor.

Sharing files

Google Drive

Google Drive is free with every gmail account and users get 15 GB of memory.  For 100 GB you will need to pay $5/ month.  Files can be shared and links shared so that others can download documents from an individual's account. One example of Google Drive is from a promotion and tenure committee.  Committee members were given a word processing template in Google Drive that was shared. As individuals review dossiers they were able to add comments to the shared document.  At the time of the meeting the file was projected in the room and committee members were able to discuss the edited document at that time.  At the end of the meeting the document was ready for submission to administration.  This was a great time saver and discussion points were made between meetings on the document and then unresolved issues were discussed in the face-to-face meeting. To learn how to share documents click here for the Google site link.

There is also a Desktop version so that editing can be done offline and then documents synchronized with the online Google Drive account later. There are multiple explanations on YouTube about Google Drive.  Here is one example by Judy Griffin: http://youtu.be/5WbIeKgNkds. Here is a video on how to use and upload Google Drive. This is a great way to store your data and not have to carry around those stick drives that we forget and leave in classrooms.  To start learning about Google Drive, go to the link which also includes links to start the download process and how to get started. Files can be saved in cloud storage on Google Drive which will automatically sync to your desktop computer at work, at home and your mobile devices.  Start by setting up Google Drive on the web then add you other computer devices so that they all sync. A critical piece to remember if you are using a university account and you want that to be your main account is to close your browser, open Google with your university account not other accounts.  Those should be closed as you start.  This allows easier installation onto your Desktop and other devices. You can then later share your university account with your other accounts allowing all the files to be seen at one place. 

Using desktop and other device versions of Google Drive makes it easy to then open a file that you were, say, working on at home.  You save it to your Google Drive Desktop and it will automatically sync to your web version and your other devices using the same account.  If you find a file has not transferred, check to make sure the Google Desktop has been logged in.  Once in a while I have found my work computer has not synced and I have lot into Google Drive Desktop then it starts syncing again. This is a rare occasion though. 

Blogs, Wikis and Social Networks

Ward Cunningham - inventor of wikis

PBworks

This online wiki allows for real time editing and uploading of documents.  The original owner called it Peanutbutterwiki because it was as easy as using peanut butter.  This is a free site and offers upgrade prices.  PBworks can be used in a course as a quick way to get learner input. Having learners edit one document works well with smaller classes. Another example could be the use deciding on times for class presentations.  Students simply type their name next to the time. Here is PBworks website http://www.pbworks.com/

Wikispaces

Called a web hosting service this wiki is free and can be found at:  https://www.wikispaces.com/
The formatting for wikis, in general, is usually pretty plain and there is not storage space to display pictures and documents.  But the documents can be uploaded as links.  Used by quite a few educators, pages can be developed where multiple users can collaborate on one thought. Participants are invited to the site and then multiple collaborators can work on one single document or multiple files and folders.  As edits occur the owner of the wiki can view each edit and the exact time it was edited.

Task Management

Google Calendar 

19th Luddites - protested the change in technologies

 The use of electronic calendars has reached the point where even Luddites can easily keep track on events and tasks on both desktop computers and mobile devices. Google also allows sharing of calendars and can create separate calendars for different purposes such as work and family calendars.  Google calendars are used in many websites for visitors to keep track of events.  For more information of Google calendar, click here. Tasks can also be tracked and maintained on Google calendar.  Used with gmail, links can create new events for users with one click.

Remember the Milk!

http://www.rememberthemilk.com/services/googlecalendar/daily/

This free program allows easy management of tasks that will sync with Google Calendar. Tasks can be shared so projects could be managed by using this program. Tasks can be synced with mobile devices along with desktop computers. I've noticed that rarely can more than 6 tasks be completed from my list in one day.  More than 6 is just frustrating.  This may be a way of not feeling overwhelmed with so many tasks.

Remember Milk Tasks in Google Calendar