Collaborative Learning Software

[Dave Duarte]

What software have you used, or would like to use, to support learning and collaboration in your company/school?

[Aslam Levy]

Google are running major campaigns in the USA trying convert Companies onto their web server based platforms. I have recently stated using Google apps on a personal level. Google reader is stunning and has the all platform access you mention as I read my feeds via mobile when I'm on the move.

With Google Wave launching soon we might have a new contender in the Collab App field?
-A-

[Dave Duarte]

I certainly hope so. I committed myself to ONLY using online applications about 3 years ago, but recently gave up the ideal and purchased iWork '09. The online apps were still a little clunky and I was putting myself through unnecessary drama. I do, however, still appreciate the ideals of web-based collaborative office software - so I will certainly be trying out Wave as soon as I can.

[Jeremy Setzer]

Would love to know if anyone has used Second Life as an education platform?

[Dave Everitt]

I'm copying this from the mailing list for the Institute of Creative Technologies (IoCT) at DeMontfort University, Leicester. Additionally, Mike Hiley at the IoCT is developing SL for this use.

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The latest Eduserv Foundation funded study into UK universities, colleges and academics developing "stuff" in Second Life, and using this for teaching and learning, is underway. Fuller details are blogged here:

www.silversprite.com/?p=460

As we visit these developments, we'll be taking screen dumps and adding them to this picture set in Flickr:

www.flickr.com/photos/silversprite/sets/72157603982005324/

If you’re in UK Higher or Further Education and you’ve developed something in Second Life then get in touch:

john (@) silversprite.com

It's an opportunity to promote what you've done, and also for like-minded academics to find you.

If you are aware of other developments in UK universities and colleges - be they at the institution, department, group or lone academic level - then we'd appreciate word of them too; thanks.

John Kirriemuir (RL) / Silversprite Helsinki (SL)

[Jeremy Setzer]

I found this on portfolio.com have just cut-and pasted it.

INSEAD, which has the most diverse student body (the largest nationality is Indian, at 14 percent), has two real-world campuses, one in Singapore and the other in Fontainebleau, near Paris. It's also constructing a third campus online, in the virtual world of Second Life.

[Elaine Rumboll]

Insead

[Dave Duarte]

The course I'm teaching at UCT is using Turnitin.com to manage the student's essays. It helps identify plagiarism, helps collate marks, and helps students with their grammar too!

Another product that looks impressive is Blackboard.com , which may be more useful for executive education groups:

[Dave Everitt]

See my comments above re Blackboard - I find it useful, but the interface is way too complex, and I have to say it isn't used well by my full-time colleagues, if at all.

[Lorynne]

I'm currently consulting for international commercial property agent; King Sturge. At the UK offices we use Sharepoint; which the company has been able to easily adabt to suit their market needs. We don't just use it to keep track of internal processes, documents and projects but allow clients, their staff, external counterparts; auditors and lawyers access to use and contribute to the site. I'm still not convinced it works as it should for the company, but that's got nothing to do with Sharepoint itself, but rather how the company sells the value-add of the package to its clients.

[Dave Everitt]

Some colleages I know are are developing a 'Creativity Asisstant', which may be of interest
dmu-ca.ioct.dmu.ac.uk
It runs in Java, so is potentially platform-agnostic (although the latest Apple Java doesn't yet support the reqirements).

[Anthony Hazell]

Funnily enough, we recently set up a Ning network for our staff to share resources and experiences. It's been a bit of a challenge to get everyone to sign up.

As part of the recruitment drive, and to expose staff to online collaborative tools, we're running a wine raffle via the network using Google Docs Forms. Should be an interesting experiment :)

[Jeremy Setzer]

I posted on the Huddlemind.com blog about our discussion and have had some interesting feedback about add-ons and new programs.

I have pasted the comments below or go check out Huddlemind

#1 Mark Phillips
Mar 26th, 2008 at 3:18 am Edit

If you do use Basecamp and need to archive projects in hardcopy or send project reports offline, there’s a new add-on service called Export Reports.com that allows you to create PDF’s of Basecamp projects. It uses the API you mentioned above.

It is currently in beta at http://www.exportreports.com and is being offered at beta pricing starting at $0.99 per report.

Hope you find it useful.

# 2 Cathy Garland
Mar 26th, 2008 at 4:26 pm Edit

Your readers may also want to know about Scholar360, an affordable LMS (Learner Management System) that combines all the necessary academic features that schools need with a secure social network and Web 2.0 features that students love.

It incorporates WIKIs, communities, social networking, ePorfolios and more. The website is http://www.scholar360.com.

# 3 Eugene
Mar 26th, 2008 at 5:10 pm Edit

I agree that a team or a company will have to adapt to any application. That’s why I think it’s important that an app should use the tools that have already been adopted by the company. For example, we use Wrike. The tool integrates smoothly with email and makes it really easy to collaborate with your clients. Your just create tasks via email messages and then make updates by replying to them. Easy and fast!