Web 2.

0 Collaboration Tools: A Quick Guide

MOHAMED AMIN EMBI

Centre for Academic Advancement Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 2012

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page CHAPTER 1 VOICETHREAD

What is Voicethread?..................1 Ways of using Voicetread........................1 Usage in teaching and learning...2 Benefits of using Voicethread.........2 Get started with Voicethread.............4 References.8

CHAPTER 2

PRIMARYWALL

9 What is PrimaryWall?.........9 9 Advantages of PrimaryWall......................9 10 Get started with PrimaryWall..........................................10 13 References....13

CHAPTER 3

WALLWISHER

14 What is Wallwisher?........14 14 Benefits of using Wallwisher..14 15 Ways of using Wallwisher..15 17 Get started with Wallwisher...16 References....21 22

CHAPTER 4

WIKISPACES

23 What is Wikis?.22 23 Wikis or blog?..22 24 Benefits of Wikis......23 24 Usage in teaching and learning23 Get started with Wikispaces...25 26 33 References....32

ii

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 5

VYEW

What is Vyew?...............33 34 A few ways Vyew is empowering users..33 34 Educational uses of Vyew.35 36 Get started with Vyew37 38 References....44 45

CHAPTER 6

GOOGLE DOCS

What is Google Docs?.....45 46 Benefits from Google Docs.45 46 Using Google Docs in the classroom......46 47 Get started with Google Docs....47 48 References....53 54

CHAPTER 7

TWIDDLA

What is Twiddla?......54 55 Advantages of Twiddla...................54 55 Ways of using Twiddla for teaching55 56 Get started with Twiddla ...67 68 References....62 63

CHAPTER 8

SYNC.IN

What is Sync.In?............63 64 Advantages of Sync.In..63 64 Get started with Sync.In..64 65 References....68 69

CHAPTER 9

WRITEBOARD

70 What is Writeboard?..........................69 Advantages of Writeboard................................6970 71 Get started with Writeboard..70 75 References....74

Table of Contents

iii

CHAPTER 10 TYPEWITH.ME What is TypeWith.me?.....................75 76 Ways of students and teachers using TypeWith.me7576 Get started with TypeWith.me..........................76 77 References....78 79

Chapter 1: Voicethread

Chapter 1

VOICETHREAD
WHAT IS VOICETHREAD?

VoiceThread is an Internet-based application that allows users to create a shared presentation as a media album that visitors can asynchronously comment on either by text, voice, or video. The presentation can include any form of digital media, including images, audio, video, and text. The resulting output of this combination of the digital presentation and accumulated viewer comments is called a VoiceThread. Completed VoiceThreads can then be shared on the VoiceThread site or embedded into Web pages or blogs. They can also be exported for offline consumption running from a computer hard drive, a DVD, a video-enabled MP3 player, or a mobile phone. In a nutshell, VoiceThread allows an entire group conversation to be collected from anywhere in the world and then shared for playback in one place. VoiceThread has been referred to as a group audio blog because, like a blog, it fosters comments on a topic but goes further by allowing these comments to be offered in audio format. (Penn State 2009).

BENEFITS OF USING VOICETHREAD

InfoTech4Lrng (2008) suggests the following benefits of using Voicethread: 1. Simple and easy. 2. Focus on the content instead of the tool; can serve as a form of free writing. 3. Requires simple hardware and minimal memory requirements, minimal techbarrier. 4. Encourages collaborative storytelling. 5. Ability to use powerful images - one or many. 6. Users can zoom in to see the details and out to see the big picture. 7. Ability to add text.

Chapter 1: Voicethread

8. Easy to capture voices. 9. Inspires ongoing conversation about each image. 10. Build fluency, precision and voice in second language. 11. New dimension for creative analysis of historical photographs, maps and artifacts. 12. Ability to give and receive feedback from peers, teachers, parents and other relatives, local and global community. 13. Can be used as a storytelling tool, a deep thinking tool, a research tool, an expository communication tool, and even an assessment tool. 14. Allows for differentiation to accomodate different learning needs and styles. 15. Allows teachers to integrate digital collaboration into the curriculum.

WAYS OF USING VOICETHREAD?

A VoiceThread allows every student in a class to easily record audio commentary about the ideas and experiences that are important to them. Whether it is an event, a project, students can tell their story in their own voice and then share it with the world. For educators, a VoiceThread offers a way to teach the principles of good digital citizenship as well as providing a single vessel to capture and then share all the diverse personalities of an entire class. A VoiceThread can be managed with little effort, creating digital spaces that can be shared by students, parents, and educators alike. Pride and excitement is clearly evident in student voices as they publish and archive their work.

(http://voicethread.com/image/voicethreads_in_the_classroom.pdf)

USAGE IN TEACHING AND LEARNING

VoiceThread is an application that makes it easy to assemble visual media in a presentation. In providing a simple venue for sharing, creating, and assessing media projects, such applications may promote greater digital literacy and greater enthusiasm for multimedia creation. What sets VoiceThread apart from these other applications is its easy integration of voice and other types of media for commenting on an original artifact. VoiceThread offers a natural online interaction that lends itself

Chapter 1: Voicethread

to students presenting and defending their work before experts and peers. It seems reasonable that an environment that provides an easy way for students to listen to and add to the work of their peers may encourage more authentic peer assessment. Evaluations that include verbal and visual cues in each students own voice may be easier for students to interpret. In disciplines where students create a portfolio of their work, VoiceThread provides the opportunity to build annotated presentations that include voice, video, and text explanations of what they have done. Group and personal reflections can also be collected and preserved. By far the greatest potential of VoiceThread lies in the creative opportunity it provides for students to tell their own stories and to contribute to or directly critique the narratives of their peers (Educause 2009).

The following are some uses of Voicethread in teaching and learning (InfoTech4Lrng 2008): 1. Create or select images to accompany original poetry, poetic devices or research. 2. Record personal, family or community history, historic events or an oral history project, documentaries or essays. 3. Share oral reports about research through digital story. 4. Opportunity for students to develop interview skills. 5. Build confidence with peers. 6. Asking open ended questions. 7. Providing interviewee time to elaborate. 8. Follow up questions. 9. Develop editing skills eliminate errors and pauses. 10. Collaborate with someone in another location. 11. Illustrated booktalks. 12. Students record thoughts while previewing document or draft comments. 13. Exploring science materials to demonstrate their use in labs, innovation and space exploration.

Chapter 1: Voicethread

GET STARTED WITH VOICETHREAD

STEP 1

Go to: http://www.voicethread.com

STEP 2

Signing/Registering with VoiceThread

Click here to sign in or register. STEP 3

Start uploading image/video

You will see this basic account navigation page once you are signed in.

Chapter 1: Voicethread

STEP 3

Creating VoiceThreads

a) Uploading images & videos

Click theCreate tab.

Click Upload to start uploading your images, documents or videos.

Upload a file from your computer.

Upload a file hosted online at a specific URL.

Upload image and video using webcam.

Chapter 1: Voicethread

a) Commenting

After you have uploaded your images or videos, you can start commenting it. You can also delete your own comments anytime.

Now, you can start giving comments to your own or other VoiceThreads. You can choose either to provide text, audio or video comments.

Chapter 1: Voicethread

c) Sharing VoiceThread

Click Share to share your VoiceThreads with others. Click here and copy your URL link. Invite your friends through email. You can add friend by creating groups. But you need A Pro account VoiceThread to do this. Publishing option is a very important to ensure that your VoiceThread is viewable to other users.

Everyone can view your VoiceThread. Comments are accepted. After each comment is made, you must approve it before it is visible to others. Viewable in the "Browse" section on the VoiceThread's homepage. Then click save.

Chapter 1: Voicethread

STEP 4

Viewing VoiceThreads

Click MyVoice tab to view the VoiceThread you have created.

Click Menu to edit the VoiceThread that you have created. REFERENCES

Educause

.2009.

things

you

should

know

about

voicethread.

http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7050.pdf [6 April 2011]

Penn

State. 2009.

Things

You

Need

to

Know

about

VoiceThread.

http://www.personal.psu.edu/mnm14/blogs/meyerviews/VoiceThread_whitepap er.pdf [6 April 2011]

InfoTech4Lrng.

2008.

Voicethread

in

Teaching

and

Learning.

http://arllennium.wordpress.com/2008/03/20/voicethread-in-teaching-andlearning/ [6 April 2011]

VoiceThread in The Classroom. http://voicethread.com/image/voicethreads_in_the_classroom.pdf 2011] [6 April

Chapter 2: PrimaryWall

Chapter 2

PRIMARYWALL
WHAT IS PRIMARYWALL?

PrimaryWall is a web-based sticky note tool designed for schools that allows pupils and teachers to work together in real-time.

Source: http://primarywall.com/ [9 January 2012]

ADVANTAGES OF PRIMARYWALL:

The following are the advantages of PrimaryWall: 1. Gathering ideas 2. Collaborating 3. Sharing 4. Quickly posting of information when working in a group or collaborative environment.

Source: Wilson, M. 2011. ICT for Teaching & Learning in Falkirk Primary Schools. https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/fa/ICTFalkirkPrimaries/2011/11/11/primarywall/ [10 January 2012]

10

Chapter 2: PrimaryWall

GET STARTED WITH PRIMARYWALL

STEP 1

Go to: http://primarywall.com/

STEP 2

Creating a New Wall

Click the Create new wall button at the PrimaryWall home page.

Then you will see this screen.

Chapter 2: PrimaryWall

11

If you would like to change your wall background, font and security. you need to register with PrimaryWall.

Insert your email address, full name and subdomain of your PrimaryWall and then click Register. Free registration account is valid for 6 months.

STEP 3

Adding Notes

To add a note, you can click anywhere on the screen or you can click the + Add a note button on the top left corner of your wall.

12

Chapter 2: PrimaryWall

Type a title. Type your note.

Type your name or nick name.

Click here to post your note on the wall.

STEP 4

Sorting, Searching & Sharing

Type the keyword to search a specific note.

Arrange your notes neatly.

Copy and send the link to share your wall with others.

Chapter 2: PrimaryWall

13

REFERENCES http://primarywall.com/ [9 January 2012]

Wilson, M. 2011. ICT for Teaching & Learning in Falkirk Primary Schools. https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/fa/ICTFalkirkPrimaries/2011/11/11/primaryw all/ [10 January 2012]

14

Chapter 3: Wallwisher

Chapter 3

WALLWISHER
WHAT IS WALLWISHER?

Todays generation of learners are social beings who communicate, collaborate, create, co-create and connect using online technologies. This Net Generation, or Net Gens as Tapscott (2008) defines them, are a generation whose modus operandi is networking where they can let their voices be heard in the crowd. They want to be active learners rather than consumers of information. Wallwisher is a collaborative tool that lets students be prosumers rather consumers (Sharon Tonner 2011). Wallwisher is an Internet application that allows students to post their thoughts on a common topic using electronic sticky notes on a shared digital wall. Students can type a maximum of 160 characters per electronic sticky note that can incorporate an image, audio or video using the appropriate web address link (Sharon Tonner 2011). Wallwisher can be also used for personal note taking, to-do lists, feedback collection, etc. Best of all, there is no signup needed- simply create a wall and start posting (Anon 2011).

BENEFITS OF USING WALLWISHER

According to Sharon Tonner (2011) and Anon (2011) the following are some benefits of using Wallwisher: 1. To allow students to participate in a collaborative conversation. 2. To brainstorm an idea. 3. To allow students to access discussions and ideas after lectures. 4. To provide an interactive area that incorporates text, audio and visual materials. 5. To assess students understandings of a concept formatively. 6. To enable students to summarise their understanding of learning in a limited number of characters.

Chapter 3: Wallwisher

15

7. To make lectures/ workshops interactive through students responding using mobile devices that have internet accessibility. 8. To allow lecturers to adapt their inputs in response to student feedback. 9. To make inputs participatory rather than passive. 10. To allow students to contribute synchronously or asynchronously to the learning conversation. 11. A wall that allows students to jot down notes for the project as they collect information (allowing others in the group in use the information). 12. A wall that offers individual feedback when determining a decision that needs a group vote. 13. A wall that tracks the completion status for each group member's task.

WAYS OF USING WALLWISHER

Elizabeth (2010) suggests the following uses of Wallwisher: 1. Writing Activities: Wallwisher has a 160 character limit for each comment/post that you leave on the wall. This is in a way a good thing. It allows for short story/collaborative projects, essay plans, note-taking, memos, poems, etc. 2. Brainstorming Activities: This is a great ice breaker for the beginning of class. It is also a great way to post a homework assignment/food for thought for that evening and then discuss it the next day. 3. Vocabulary/Grammar Activities: You could easily use Wallwisher for practicing tenses, definitions, vocabulary matching, or even find a theme and have the students fill the sticky notes with their ideas for the vocabulary theme. 4. Speaking Activities: Wallwisher is a great way to create short speaking activities to help students feel more comfortable in front of a group of people. These activities could be to talk about a photo or video for a few minutes, create a story based upon a number of photos, or even put debate topics on a sticky note for the student to create.

16

Chapter 3: Wallwisher

5. Notifications: You could use Wallwisher for orientation information, classroom rules, student profiles, daily/weekly plan, or even fun messages to other students who might be out sick or on trips with their families.

Chapter 3: Wallwisher

17

GET STARTED WITH WALLWISHER

STEP 1

Go to:http://www.wallwisher.com/

STEP 2

Log in/Register

To start using the Wallwisher, first you need to login (if you already have an account) or register (if this is your first time). Click the Login/Register button a the top right hand corner. Click Build a wall if you do not want to go at login/register page.

For the first time user.

Free

Fill up the the Wallwisher account, then click Create my account.

If you already have an account, just sign in and click Let me in.

18

Chapter 3: Wallwisher

STEP 3

Building & Customizing Walls

At the Click to select image, you can choose the existing image you want or you can browse an image you like from your computer.

Click here to change your wall title and description.

Choose a theme of your wall.

STEP 5

STEP 6

If you click Build a wall at step 3, this box will appear and you need to fill in your name and email. Then, your Wallwishers password account will be sent to your email.

At preferences area you can choose your wall URL and select the preferences of your viewers and sticky notes post.

Click done once you have finished customizing your wall.

Chapter 3: Wallwisher

19

STEP 4

Typing Sticky Notes

Double click the wall to add sticky notes.

Enter your name.

Write your message not more than 160 characters.

Add image, audio or video from web link by pasting the URL location here.

20

Chapter 3: Wallwisher

STEP 5

Inserting an Image

An example of an image URL location from Google image search engine. Click VIEW to view the image.

Chapter 3: Wallwisher

21

STEP 6

Inserting Videos

Click PLAY to view the video.

An example of a URL location of video link from YouTube source.

STEP 7

Inserting Document

Click VIEW to view the file. 9

An example of a URL location of PDF files from Google search.

22

Chapter 3: Wallwisher

STEP 8

Sharing Wallwisher

Now, you can enjoy using your Wallwisher and share with others by sending publish Wallwisher URL location to the public or the person or group you want

REFERENCES

Sharon Tonner. 2011. Wallwisher. http://i-c-t.wikispaces.com/WALLWISHER [14 March 2011]

Elizabeth. 2010. 5 Fantastic Ways to Use Wallwisher in the Classroom. http://blog.simplek12.com/education/5-fantastic-ways-to-use-wallwisher-in-theclassroom/ [14 March 2011]

Anon. 2011. Wallwisher: A new way to promote student collaboration for online colleges. http://blog.ecollegefinder.org/post/Wallwisher-A-New-Way-to-

Promote-Student-Collaboration-for-Online-Colleges.aspx [14 March 2011]

Chapter 4: Wikis

23

Chapter 4

WIKIS
WHAT ARE WIKIS?

Wikis allow asynchronous communication and group collaboration across the Internet. Sometimes described as a composition system, a discussion medium, a repository, a mail system, and a tool for collaboration, wikis provide users with both author and editor privileges; the overall organization of contributions can be edited as well as the content itself. Wikis are able to incorporate sounds, movies, and pictures; they may prove to be a simple tool to create multimedia presentations and simple digital stories.

WIKIS OR BLOG?

Wikis are often compared to blogs because they are both characterized by easy publishing capabilities. They both started about the same time, about a decade ago, and both offer an easy publishing tool for disseminating information as well as getting feedback to and from the public. Early wikis were intended for multiple users to create knowledge repositories, while blogs were intended for writing personal diaries. Although they are different in several ways, the distinctions between them are subtle because they are converging in functionality. There are a number of main differences between wikis and blogs, among them being the way they organize their information, and the number of contributors and what the contributors intend to achieve (Doyle, 2006).

Wikis are designed for collaborative authoring by everyone while blogs are more personal and generally written by a single author. If a wiki has only one author, the differences are not as obvious though still significant and important, as can be seen from the following points. Further, there are valid uses for single-author wikis, such

24

Chapter 4: Wikis

as posting explicit operational instructions from a user. Wikis typically organize information into topics while blogs organize information in reverse chronological order. Since they are reverse chronologically ordered, information in blogs is more of a historical record and rarely changes. On the other hand, topics in wikis are expected to evolve and often expand into something of a permanent knowledge base. The reverse chronological order of blogs makes it difficult to find all postings on a particular topic, and to browse through all postings on that topic. On the other hand, wikis do not show as easily when information was documented or in what order, but it does show what information is related and make it easy to browse (Kevin & Joseph 2007).

BENEFITS OF WIKIS

According to David Jakes (2006), wikis are extremely flexible tools that have many classroom, professional development, and administrative uses including the following: 1. Classroom: Students can use wikis as platforms for collaborative problem solving; group laboratory reports; classroom writing projects; and the creation of a class "textbook." The short, wikis can be used to support any type of collaborative student project. 2. Professional Development: Wikis are handy tools for planning workshops or conferences. Trainers can post documents and other resources at the wiki prior to the workshop and have participants create and post their own notes during the event. Later, participants can return to the wiki to further reflect on what they have learned. 3. Administrative Uses: Administrators can leverage wikis to allow teachers, technology staff, and others help create and edit policy documents.

USAGE IN TEACHING AND LEARNING

Wikis are one of many Web 2.0 components that can be used to enhance the learning process. A wiki is a web communication and collaboration tool that can be used to engage students in learning with others within a collaborative environment (Kevin & Joseph, 2007). Collaboration using a wiki is not limited to students. Faculty

Chapter 4: Wikis

25

can use wikis to collaborate on projects, whether editing a textbook, preparing a journal article, or assembling a syllabus or reading list. Wikis might also prove to be an ideal vehicle for soliciting ongoing input for research or projects where community input can help inform and direct subsequent investigation. The possibilities for using wikis as the platform for collaborative projects are limited only by ones imagination and time. Wiki-enabled projects can provide various levels of site access and control to team members, offering a fine-tuning element that enhances the teaching and learning experience (Educause 2009).

Duffy and Bruns (2006) list several possible educational uses of wikis: 1. Students can use a wiki to develop research projects, with the wiki serving as ongoing documentation of their work. 2. Students can add summaries of their thoughts from the prescribed readings, building a collaborative annotated bibliography on a wiki. 3. A wiki can be used for publishing course resources like syllabi and handouts, and stu-dents can edit and comment on these directly for all to see. 4. Teachers can use wikis as a knowledge base, enabling them to share reflections and thoughts regarding teaching practices, and allowing for versioning and documentation. 5. Wikis can be used to map concepts. They are useful for brainstorming, and editing a given wiki topic can produce a linked network of resources. 6. A wiki can be used as a presentation tool in place of conventional software, and students are able to directly comment on and revise the presentation content. 7. Wikis are tools for group authoring. Often group members collaborate on a document by emailing to each member of the group a file that each person edits on their computer, and some attempt is then made to coordinate the edits so that everyones work is equally represented; using a wiki pulls the group members together and enables them to build and edit the document on a single, central wiki page.

26

Chapter 4: Wikis

GET STARTED WITH WIKISPACES

STEP 1

Go to: http://www.wikispaces.com/site/for/teachers

STEP 2

Sign up/Register

Insert Username, Password and key in a valid Email Address. Click YES Select a Wiki Name for your wiki. This will also determine the web address of your wiki. So choose carefully!

Under Wiki Permissions, select Private (free for educators). Then, click Join.

Next, you need to access the email account you have entered ealier. Wikispaces will have sent you a conrmation email. Click on the link in that message to conrm your email address.

Chapter 4: Wikis

27

STEP 3

Editing Wikispaces

You will then be taken to your wikispace. The rst page you see with be a getting started' guide. Take some time to explore the links on this guide.

Once you exit the getting started' guide, you can begin editing the wiki. To work on your rst page, click EDIT at the top right corner of the page.

Use the EDITOR tool bar to change the font (bold, italics, underline) type or color, add bullets, hyperlinks or images.

28

Chapter 4: Wikis

a) Adding hyperlink

Select the text you want to hyperlink. Then click on Link.

External Link- This option will allow you to link the selected text to a website outside your wiki. You will need to type in the URL to the website you are linking to.

An Insert Link' pop up box will appear.

You can either link the selected text to a page on your wiki. To do this, you must rst create another page. Every page you create will appear under Page Name'.

Then, click Add Link.

Chapter 4: Wikis

29

a) Adding file

Click File at your editor toolbar. Go to the Insert Files tab. Click on Upload File. Then, choose a le located on your computer and click open.

b) Adding new page Select New Page' from the top left hand corner of your wiki.

Insert a name for your new page.

Then, click Create. You will then be taken to the new page. Once you click SAVE the name of the new page will be added to the navigation bar on the left.

30

Chapter 4: Wikis

c) Embedding a Widget

On the new page you have just added, click Edit and click on the embed a widget icon.

Choose the video sources you like.

Chapter 4: Wikis

31

STEP 4

Discussion Board

To create a new topic, select the DISCUSSION tab.

Then click on New Post.

Write down your subject and the topic you want to discuss.

Then, click Post to start the discussion.

32

Chapter 4: Wikis

STEP 5

Adding & Managing Members

First, click Manage Wiki. To update or add your wiki Member, go to People.

At Wiki Permissions, choose either Protected or Private.

Chapter 4: Wikis

33

REFERENCES

David

Jakes.

2006.

Wild

about

wikis.

Retrived

from

http://www.techlearning.com/article/6164 [25 March 2011]

Duffy, P. & Bruns, A. (2006). The use of blogs, wikis and RSS in education: A conversation of possibilities. Proceedings of the Online Learning and Teaching Conference 2006, Brisbane: September 26.

http://eprints.qut.edu.au/5398/1/5398.pdf [25 March 2011]

Doyle,

B.

2006.

When

to

Wiki,

When

to

Blog. [25

http://www.econtentmag.com/Articles/ArticlePrint.aspx?ArticleID=16900 March 2011]

Educause.

2009.

things

you

should

know

about

wikis.

http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7004.pdf [25 March 2011]

Kevin R.P. & Joseph T.C. 2007. Wiki as a Teaching Tool. Interdisciplinary Journal of Knowledge and Learning Objects. 3(2007):57-71

34

Chapter 8: Sync.In

Chapter 5

VYEW

WHAT IS VYEW?

Vyew is a browser-based collaboration and conferencing platform that enables and allows web users to share and create together in real-time and over time (meaning anytime they want). Vyew users can upload and annotate files (.doc, .odt, .xls, .ods, .ppt, .odp, .jpg, .gif, .png, .swf, .mp3), take screen captures of their desktop, and draw with white-board tools. They can also share their desktop in real-time.

Source: http://vyew.com/site/help/guide/#Getting-Started-with-Vyew 2012]

[26

January

A FEW WAYS VYEW IS EMPOWERING USERS:

a)

Meet and Present Give presentations, host webinars, or conduct team meetings. Leave content available for access over time. Conduct meetings in real time using a shared workspace, webcam, voice over IP (VoIP), free teleconferencing, text chat and desktop sharing. In addition to uploading, sharing and presenting content, participants can be invited to annotate and collaborate on content during the meeting. Participants can be allowed to navigate the workspace independently to collaborate on different portions of the content. Record the meeting for playback also available. The meeting room and content are always available for review and collaboration until the moderator removes access.

Chapter 5: Vyew

35

b)

Review and Annotate Upload, create, and collaborate on content with your team or customers. Vyew provides an always-on workspace that reviewers and content creators can access and annotate at their convenience. Provides a transparent process for review and annotation. All participants can see each others comments and arrive at a final version more easily and quickly than emailing their comments to the content owner. Sidebar comments provide a contextual forum for discussions that can be filtered by user and flagged to indicate their status. Other collaborators outside organization can easily access the workspace anytime with no software to install. User can upload, create and collaborate on almost any type of content in Vyew regardless of the software or platform used to create it. Vyews always-on clear-view workspaces provide the environment that collaborators need to review and annotate content together in real time or independently over time.

c)

Educate and Train Create and upload course content for real-time and anytime collaborative and active learning. Educational researchers agree that students learn best by collaborating rather than by independently studying and passively listening to lectures or video on demand. With Vyew, instructors can upload course material for real-time presentations and then students at any grade level can meet online and collaborate together in real time or separately over time. Instructors can then access and comment on student work with the students or at their convenience. Vyew provides a multi-modal environment for education and training. Almost any content can be uploaded to or created in Vyew for a rich,

36

Chapter 5: Vyew

interactive environment that includes interactive Flash learning objects, audio, video, graphics, presentations, spreadsheets and text.

Source: http://vyew.com/site/product/vyew-in-action/uses [27 January 2012]

EDUCATIONAL USES OF VYEW

a)

Educators

Host online classroom sessions for correspondence courses with realtime interaction.

Be available to students online during office hours, not just in-person at the workplace.

Post course syllabuses and reading material in Vyews File Storage for easy access by students.

Collaborate with peers at other colleges or universities on research, papers, and projects.

Use Vyew as a way to solicit anonymous feedback from students grant the students guest access to a Vyew Room where they can annotate or use text-chat to post suggestions or concerns.

b)

Tutors

Tutor students remotely use Vyew as a tool to generate more income from your experience and expertise.

Allow students to review their tutor sessions and post questions when you're not available

c)

Students

Work on group projects together outline responsibilities, plan milestones, post your contributions for review, and comment on others work.

Post group project files in Vyews File Storage to ensure everyone has access to the latest version.

Chapter 5: Vyew

37

Tutor, share answers to homework, prep for exams, and share class notes with your peers.

Plan social activities.

Source: http://vyew.com/site/product/vyew-in-action/uses [27 January 2012]

38

Chapter 5: Vyew

GET STARTED WITH VYEW

STEP 1

Go to: http://vyew.com/s/

STEP 2

Signing Up/Register

Click SIGN UP: FREE or you can take a test drive first.

Fill up the required information for registration.

Chapter 8: Sync.In

39

Choose the free version of Vyew.

Click Continue.

Vyew will send an email to your email account. Click the link given and you can start login.

Now you can start creating your room by clickingContinue to Vyew Home dashboard.

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Chapter 5: Vyew

STEP 3

Getting Started Tutorial

This is your dashboard, click at Getting Started (Tutorial) if you like to take a tour how to get started a room.

Here is an example of getting started tutorial.

Chapter 8: Sync.In

41

STEP 4

Creating a Room

You can choose to create you room by uploading content or just creating a new room.

List of the room you have created will be seen here.

To create room by uploading the content, select a file to upload.

Vyew can import these types of content.

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Chapter 5: Vyew

Room Tools

STEP 5

Inserting Content

Insert a new page, a blank page in your current room.

Insert content from your computer. You can insert any format file: Microsoft office, pdf, images (jpg, png, gif, bmp), Flash movies, audio files (mp3).

Insert a full or cropped snapshot of your desktop into your room.

Chapter 8: Sync.In

43

STEP 6

Inviting People

Send the link given to invite people.

Insert email address and invitation message to invite people to your room.

You can specify what each persons role is, for example, whether they can edit the content in the room, or just view it.

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Chapter 5: Vyew

STEP 7

Drawing/Annoting

STEP 8

Communicating

Using Mic/Headset - Ideal when there will be 3 or 4 speakers (all listeners must have a speaker or earphone) Webcam Up to 4 people can broadcast their webcams to everyone.

Chat and private chats.

Phone conference call -For international caller except US have to dialin via Skype.

Chapter 8: Sync.In

45

REFERENCES http://vyew.com/site/help/guide/#Getting-Started-with-Vyew [26 January 2012]

http://vyew.com/site/product/vyew-in-action/uses [27 January 2012]

46

Chapter 6: Google Docs

Chapter 6

GOOGLE DOCS
WHAT IS GOOGLE DOCS?

Google Docs is an online word processor, spreadsheet and presentation editor that enables anyone to create, store and share instantly and securely, and collaborate online in real time. We can create new documents from scratch or upload existing documents, spreadsheets and presentations. There is no software to download, and all work is stored safely online and can be accessed from any computer.

Source: http://www.google.com/educators/p_docs.html

BENEFITS FROM GOOGLE DOCS

Some benefits of using Google Docs for teachers and students: Promote group work which is encourages multiple revision and peer editing skills. Teachers can publish announcements about upcoming assignments and to monitor student progress via an interactive process which allows you to give guidance when it might be of maximum benefit while student is still working on an assignment. Easy to collaborate online with fellow students, even when they aren't in the same place and they can get feedback easily from teachers, parents, relatives and tutors, and enter updates anytime from anywhere. Students can go back to the revisions history to see how their assignment has evolved, and who has helped.

Chapter 6: Google Docs

47

Help students to stay organized and keep on top of their assignments. They never have to remember to save their work because in Google docs its automatically save.

Source: http://www.google.com/educators/p_docs.html

USING GOOGLE DOCS IN THE CLASSROOM Below are interesting ways of using Google docs in the classroom:

Promote group collaboration and creativity by having students record their group projects together in a single doc.

Keep track of grades, attendance, or any other data you can think of using an easily accessible, always available spreadsheet.

Facilitate writing as a process by encouraging students to write in a document shared with you. You can check up on their work at any time, provide insight and help using the comments feature, and understand better each students strengths.

Encourage collaborative presentation skills by asking your students to work together on a shared presentation, and then present it to the class.

Collaborate on a document with fellow teachers to help you all track the status and success of students you share.

Maintain, update and share lesson plans over time in a single document. Track and organize cumulative project data in a single spreadsheet, accessible to any collaborator at any time

Source:

http://electronicportfolios.com/google/UsingGoogleDocsintheclassroom.pdf

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Chapter 6: Google Docs

GETTING STARTED WITH GOOGLE DOCS

STEP 1

Go to: http://www.google.com.my/

STEP 2

Creating a Google Account

At the right top corner of the Google homepage, click Sign in. Then, click Sign up for a new Google Account.

Chapter 6: Google Docs

49

Fill up the required information.

Click I accept. Create my account.

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Chapter 6: Google Docs

STEP 3

Creating Google Documents

After creating the Google account and logging in., go to More at the Google page and select Documents. Or, you can click this icon to upload your existing document in Google Docs.

Click the CREATE button and choose any type of the documents below to start creating.

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51

(a) Creating a Document If you click create Document, this iwill be your viewing page. To rename this document, click at Untitled document.

This is the document toolbar with the editing functions.

You can type your document here like as a word processor.

(b) Creating a Presentation If you click create Presentation, this will be your viewing page.

This is the presentation toolbar with the editing functions.

Add new slide.

Create your presentation here like a powerpoint presentation.

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Chapter 6: Google Docs

(c) Creating a Spreadsheet If you click create Spreadsheet, this will be your viewing page. To rename this spreadsheet, click at Untitled spreadsheet.

This is the spreadsheet toolbar with the editing functions.

Start using your spreadsheet here like a Excel file.

(d) Creating a Form

Click Add item to add questions or others in your form.

Click Theme:Plain to choose many interesting themes.

If you click create Form, this will your viewing page.

Click here to give your form a title.

Example of a question.

You can edit, duplicate and delete the questions you have created.

Chapter 6: Google Docs

53

STEP 4

Sharing

This icon shows your document is private and only you can access it.

To change your sharing setting and inviting others to collaborate with your documents, click the Share button.

Choose your sharing setting and click Save.

To invite specific people, enter names, email addresses or groups. Then, click the Done button.

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Chapter 6: Google Docs

STEP 5

Comments

Click Show comment stream to see any comments regarding the documents.

Choose your comments notification settings. Then, click the OK button.

REFERENCES http://www.google.com/educators/p_docs.html [17 November 2011]

http://electronicportfolios.com/google/UsingGoogleDocsintheclassroom.pdf November 2011]

[17

Chapter 7: Twiddla

55

Chapter 7

TWIDDLA

WHAT IS TWIDDLA?

Twiddla is an online collaboration tool that is easy to use. It does not require any downloads or complicated firewall stuff, and is free for just about anybody. It is like having a whiteboard skin on top of any web page or uploaded image (or nothing at all you can use it as a blank canvas). You can mark up this whiteboard layer and interact with the web page at the same time all in real time, with people from all over the world.

Source: http://www.twiddla.com/About/FAQ.aspx [5 Januari 2012]

ADVANTAGES OF TWIDDLA

Several advantages of Twiddla:

Free. Available to anyone, anytime. No plug ins all you need is your web browser. Can interact with the web (or any uploaded picture, document or widget) and mark it up at the same time.

Source: http://www.twiddla.com/About/FAQ.aspx [5 January 2012]

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Chapter 7: Twiddla

WAYS OF USING TWIDDLA FOR TEACHING

Several ways of using Twiddla for teaching: 1. Twiddla would be excellent for holding online office hours. Online tutoring typically uses shared whiteboards, and helping students during office hours is very similar to tutoring. Tutors generally have to provide help without advance preparation, and Twiddla is excellent for quick, impromptu interaction using both words and drawings. The students access to the whiteboard would make it easier for the teacher to lead the student into finding his own answers. To set up online office hours, a teacher could communicate the time and the URL to his students, then wait for them to navigate to the Twiddla session during the scheduled time period.

2.

Another scenario where Twiddla would be useful would be in instructing students on how to use a particular website, for example their course's website. The instructor could lead the students webpage by webpage within Twiddla, using the drawing tools to point out the important buttons, links and other features. The drawings would disappear when navigating away from each page, but if the markings are just simple pointers and highlights, this shouldnt be a major drawback. Thus, this particular use would probably be equally helpful in a face to face setting where the teachers screen was projected for the students to see, without using the online collaboration aspect of Twiddla.

3.

teacher

could

give an

effective

live

online

presentation

using

Twiddla. Twiddla sessions cannot be saved and reloaded like a PowerPoint presentation. However, an instructor could save a set of image files in a folder, and upload each of them to Twiddla before giving the

presentation. Besides drawings and photos, the images could be snippets of text or mathematical functions. Ideally, these would be PNG files with a transparent background to avoid obscuring the view of other images on the whiteboard. The Etherpad background could be used to allow the teacher to make impromptu notes. This would probably be best combined with an audio

Chapter 7: Twiddla

57

feature so that the teacher can speak while manipulating the images for the lecture. Twiddla does include voice channels, but they were all everytime I clicked for them.

4.

A lecture given in this way would be more dynamic than a slide presentation. It would give the lecturer the power to move and interact the images on his board in different ways. It would also give him the opportunity to ask a student to complete a figure using the elements on the whiteboard.

Source: http://mikescandi.blogspot.com/2011/02/web-20-tool-review-twiddla.html [5 January 2012]

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Chapter 7: Twiddla

GET STARTED WITH TWIDDLA

STEP 1

Go to: http://www.twiddla.com/

STEP 2

Using a Twiddla

To get access to the Professional Level features such as unlimited document storage, private meetings, presentations, custom urls and more, click Start your 30 Day Free Trial and a create account.

If you want to try using the Twiddla, click here.

If you do not want to sign up and directly start a new meeting, you can click here.

Chapter 7: Twiddla

59

Click here to open the Twiddla main home page.

Twiddla tools for editing a whiteboard.

Tools to insert images, documents, widgets, codes and mathematical formulas.

Click here to change your meeting room setting. Invite others to this meeting by inserting their email addresses Copy and send this link to invite people to this meeting. Save the whiteboard view.

Write here to chat or start a conversation.

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Chapter 7: Twiddla

STEP 3

Twiddla Tools

Clean and go to new whiteboard.

Open the EtherPad to create pad text. It can be synchronized and view by everyone.

Upload images on the whiteboard.

Tool to erase.

Add and edit text.

Insert URL address to view the web page on the whiteboard.

Insert document such as doc., ppt., xls. or pdf.

Use pencil tool to draw on whiteboard.

Insert shapes.

You can view this toolbar at the bottom of your whiteboard.

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61

a) Inserting Images

To insert images on your whiteboard, click Images.

Then click Choose File. You can choose any images you want here.

b) Inserting Documents

To insert documents on your whiteboard, click Documents.

Your uploaded document will be seen here. Click at the icon and it will be inserted on your whiteboard.

Then, choose the documents from your file.

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Chapter 7: Twiddla

c) Inserting widgets & code

Click at Widgets & Code.

Copy and paste the embed code here.

You can view the item you have embedded here.

Click the Embed! button to insert the item you have embedded on the whiteboard.

D) Inserting Mathematical Formulas Click at Mathematical Formulas.

The formula you choose will be seen here. You can edit and insert the number. Then click click to embed to insert on the whiteboard.

Choose the mathematical formulas.

This is an example of a mathematical formula you have inserted. You can collaborate and ask your student to solve the question online.

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63

REFERENCES Source: http://www.twiddla.com/About/FAQ.aspx [5 Januari 2012]

Source:

http://mikescandi.blogspot.com/2011/02/web-20-tool-review-twiddla.html

[5 January 2012]

64

Chapter 8: Sync.In

Chapter 8

SYNC.IN
WHAT IS SYNC.IN?

Sync.in is a web-based word processor for people to collaborate in real-time. When multiple people edit the same document simultaneously, any changes are instantly reflected on everyone's screen. The result is a new and productive way to collaborate with text documents, useful for meeting notes, brainstorming, project planning, training, and more

Source: http://sync.in/ [11 January 2012]

ADVANTAGES OF SYNC.IN

The following are some advantages of Sync.In: 1. Easily to make collaborative notes. 2. Plan events with team members. 3. Conduct interviews. 4. Gather feedback on presentations. 5. Draft and edit documents with colleagues. 6. Brainstorm ideas. 7. Discuss and reach concensus on a document/task.

Source:

http://www.cynapse.com/community/home/sync.in-users/sync.in-usage-

scenarios/view [11 January 2012]

Chapter 8: Sync.In

65

GET STARTED WITH SYNC.IN

STEP 1

Go to: http://sync.in/

STEP 2

Creating a Public Note

Click the Create a new PUBLIC NOTE button to start creating a note for free. There is no need to sign up/register.

If you want to have more features and security, click Get Sync.in PRO SIGNUP NOW.

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Chapter 8: Sync.In

This is your Public note. Now you can start using it.

STEP 3

Editing tools

Tools to edit your writing.

Insert bullet list.

Undo and redo what you have written.

Chapter 8: Sync.In

67

STEP 4

Sync.In Tools

Show the timeline of the edited note.

Note view option.

Save note.

Export note in different format.

STEP 4

Sharing a Note

List of users. You can change your name here. Click Invite or Share this note button to invite and to collaborate with other users.

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Chapter 8: Sync.In

Copy this link and send it to people with whom you want to share this note. You can send the link given by inserting email address or other sharing applications. Then click Share Now button.

STEP 4

Chatting

You can view what you have chatted here.

Type what you taught at this box to start a chat.

Chapter 8: Sync.In

69

REFERENCES http://sync.in/ [11 January 2012]

http://www.cynapse.com/community/home/sync.in-users/sync.in-usage-scenarios/view [11 January 2012]

70

Chapter 9: Writeboard

Chapter 9

WRITEBOARD
WHAT IS WRITEBOARD?

Writeboard are shareable, web-based text documents that let you save every edit, roll back to any version, and easily compare changes. Use Writeboard to write solo or collaborate with others.

Source: http://writeboard.com/ [26 January 2012]

ADVANTAGES OF WRITEBOARD

Several advantages of writeboard include: 1. Write without fear of losing or overwriting a good idea 2. Compare different versions of a document 3. Collaborate with colleagues on copy, proposals, memos, etc. 4. Subscribe to documents via RSS and be notified of changes 5. Keep your writings organized with Backpack integration

Source: http://writeboard.com/ [26 January 2012]

Chapter 9: Writeboard

71

GET STARTED WITH WRITEBOARD

STEP 1

Go to: http://writeboard.com/

STEP 2

Creating a Writeboard

To create a writeboard, you need to fill up the required information.

Then, click Create the Writeboard.

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Chapter 9: Writeboard

Insert the title of your Writeboard.

Type the content you want to discuss and collaborate here.

Then click Save as the newest version.

STEP 3

Adding a Comment

To edit the Writeboard, click Edit this page.

To comment the page, click Add a comment.

Chapter 9: Writeboard

73

Write your comment in this box.

You can change your name ID.

Then, click the Add this comment button.

To delete the selected comment, click on this icon.

74

Chapter 9: Writeboard

STEP 4

Inviting People

To invite other people to collaborate at the Writeboard page, click at Invite people.

Insert the email addresses of the people you want to collaborate with. Then, click the Send invitation button.

Or you can invite other people by sending this URL address.

Chapter 9: Writeboard

75

STEP 5

Exporting Writeboard Files

To export a Writeboard page, click Export.

You can choose either txt or html format to export and download a Writeboard page.

REFERENCES http://writeboard.com/ [26 January 2012]

76

Chapter 10: TypeWith.me

Chapter 10

TYPEWITH.ME
WHAT IS TYPEWITH.ME?

TypeWith.me is an online document collaboration tool which works in real time .It is a very important Web 2.0 tool for teachers and educators. It is free, easy, simple to use and above all does not need any registration .It has a cool functionality that allows users to work on the same document and at the same time.

Source:

http://educationaltech-med.blogspot.com/2011/01/type-with-me-quick-

educative-online.html [6 January 2012]

WAYS OF STUDENTS AND TEACHERS USING TYPEWITH.ME:

Several ways of students and teachers using TypeWith.me: 1. Students paired in groups can work on a single document with each one adding and editing is content 2. Teacher provides a neutral piece of writing for students to work on it online; they can add explanations and embed it in the document 3. Teacher can use it with students to get the whole class answers on a subject pertaining to their content-area study 4. Teach students how to write a piece of writing , a resume , a letter ect 5. Teachers can use it to collaborate between each other, setting on a meeting time/place.

Source:

http://educationaltech-med.blogspot.com/2011/01/type-with-me-quick-

educative-online.html [6 January 2012]

Chapter 10: TypeWith.me

77

GET STARTED WITH TYPEWITHME

STEP 1

Go to: http://willyou.typewith.me/

STEP 2

Using TypeWith.me

At TypeWith.me page, click New Pad to create a new document.

Or, you can create/open a new document with a name by typing the title of the document here and then click OK.

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Chapter 10: TypeWith.me

Use these tools to edit your document.

Show the history of this pad. To modify your document, type at the text area.

You can Import/Export the pad from/to a different format.

Show the number of connected users.

Share and embed this pad using the link and the embedded code given.

Chapter 10: TypeWith.me

79

REFERENCES http://educationaltech-med.blogspot.com/2011/01/type-with-me-quick-educativeonline.html [6 January 2012].