I’ve posted before about a variety of real-time collaborative tools for online work. I haven’t created a “The Best…” list for them yet just because it hasn’t been something I’ve needed to use in my own teaching practice. My students have been able to do joint projects with other classes in our own school, and the time zones for sister classes in other countries don’t facilitate real-time communication.
I do keep my eyes out for these collaborative sites, though, just in case I need to use it for family or other collaborative work I might do professionally.
Today, Mashable posted about 13 Online Word Processors. Two in particular were new to me, and stood out because of their offering simultaneous collaborative editing.
J2E (for Just Too Easy) is designed specifically for students and schools. I liked this one — it seemed very easy to use. Solodox was another application that might have some potential.
If you get a chance, try them out and let me know what you think.
Hi, I just came upon your blog and love it. You have a ton of great ideas for me to try with my fifth graders. Thanks for all the hard work.
I think this post, as well as being useful as always Larry, highlights on particular problem emerging with web 2.0 applications – there are just so many of them!
I’m currently looking at runnning a project with MFL looking at linking up with other schools that speak French or Spanish and there are a bewildering range of tools out there.
Jim,
You’re welcome!
David,
You’re certainly right. And there are only subtle differences between many of them. One benefit, though, is that when one or more are blocked by District content filters, there usually is at least one application that isn’t.
Larry