Organizers

Use collaborative online tools for

brainstorming
organizing
creating
reflecting

Old Way - Draw, redraw, get frustrated, throw in trash

New Way - Arrange, rearrange, share, collaborate

Explore Tools

Hot Choice - myWebInspiration

Concept Maps - myWebInspiration (From Inspiration), Gliffy (great for tracking), Bubbl (lacks graphics), Thinkature - (quirky)
Electronic Whiteboards - Scribblar and Skrbl
Timeline Makers - Timeglider, CircaVie, Dipity, MagicStudio, TimeRime, Time Toast, Xtimeline
Software Options - Inspiration/Kidspiration (commercial) and Cmap (free)
URL Shortener - TinyURL, Bit.ly - creates short URLs

Design Projects

Brainstorming
Build Consensus
Project Planning
Joint Report
Creative Works

Avoid Wrecks

Long Term Storage. When you don't control your web server, it's possible to lose the documents if the service fails. Be sure to have a backup system. Also, be certain to check on copyright issues related to ownership of workspace documents.
Technical Issues. Collaborative spaces can be hampered by slow bandwidth, problems with refreshing screens caused by proxy servers, and other issues. Consider writing in a word processor and copying into the web-based document.
Tracking Use. One of the benefits of collaborative workspaces is the ability to track student work. Check whether the system maintains a history, archives drafts, and traces individual users.
Guidelines. Be certain students understand the philosophy of collaboration and the role of individuals in a collaborative work group.
Assignments and Assessments. Provide clear student expectations.

Pit Stop
Let's create a concept map using myWebspiration.
Create an account.
Create a concept map focusing on things to do in the city, genre and authors of literature, or another topic of interest. Or, try a template.
Try collaborating with another participant.