Collaboration++Tools

Collaboration Tools
 

Microsoft Live@edu
 Applications up in the "Cloud" can be FREE or charge a FEE. Educational applications may include: Collaborating with colleagues can be difficult in our connected world, especially for anyone trying to work on a collective resource. One of the best free online resources that enables educators to work collaboratively is called **Microsoft Live@edu with [|Web Apps] **. **Microsoft Live@edu** allows an individual to store documents online, share them with others and even invite colleagues to collaborate on a shared document, spreadsheet, form, or presentation. What is really nice is that you can each edit online and in real time. When a document is edited the document is automatically saved and stored, and a history of the change is kept. There is also notifications for who is viewing or editing a document at the same time.
 * FEE Based: [|Student information systems] (SIS), data warehousing (DW), or course management systems (CMS). The school pays a third party vendor for use of the program and tech support in a secure environment. In exchange, the school loads student information up in the “**Cloud**”. Tech support transfers to the vendor, and the school doesn’t have to download the program on every machine!
 * FREE Based: Teacher use of Jing to create screen-casts, or Picasa to organize photos, or **Microsoft Live@edu** to share documents. All files are stored in the “**Cloud**”, which keeps storage space available on individual machines.

You may create folders to keep your documents orderly. To move a document to a folder, you can drag and drop it in the appropriate place. **Microsoft Live@edu** will allow the user to store additional file types in the folder location. However, only Microsoft Office file types will open with the Microsoft Web Apps. 

**21 things for Teachers Portfolio Worksheet** **Thing 3: Collaboration Tools** **Beyond the walls** = Microsoft Live@edu Assignment =
 * 1) 1. Here is the assignment for this "Thing". When you are finished, you will upload this to the Moodle site:
 * 2) 2. Please add a footer with your name and date: Insert, Footer – choose your footer style.
 * 3) 3. Reflections are required for SB-CEU credit. Remember, your reflections should be 150 – 300 words.
 * Create a new document using the Microsoft Web App of your choice (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or OneNote). For example: 1) Word to create a handout for class or agenda for a meeting; 2) Excel (classroom budget or grading sheet) 3) PowerPoint (slideshow for use with a lesson/instruction or meeting) or OneNote (online notebook). Reflect on how you can use this technology and/or document to increase your productivity.
 * Insert a Screen Shot for #4 above:**

= Collaboration Assignment: =
 * Reflections from #4 above: The Microsoft Live @Edu is similar to and works somewhat like Google Docs . I used Microsoft SkyDrive with my students last year but just in Emailing me and saving/uploading their documents to their SkyDrive . I have used Google Docs more and think they have more to offer with this one exception. Students who do not have Microsoft Office on their computers at home can create a file in the SkyDrive and work on that document started on a computer that has Microsoft Office from any computer. A student was able to finish a paper over the weekend that they started at school. The student did not have Microsoft Word on their computer at home. So in this respect it is beneficial. I am not sure how much I would share on Skydrive that couldn’t be done by email . I guess I could use it to collect information like I did above. I could use if I needed something reviewed or edited with a colleague.**
 * Create a shared document and/or contribute to a shared document with another teacher. Reflect on how this could be used in your classroom or school building.
 * Insert a Screen Shot for #5 above:**


 * Reflections from #5 above: I could see using this tool to set up best time for clubs to meet or staff team meeting for example using it to set up our FAT meeting (Formative Assessment Team) . You could use to poll the class for due dates on major assignments or tests.**