Collaboration in the Classroom

Have you ever heard of a Killer App?  It's the type of computer application that we all decide that we just can't live without.  The first internet app for consumer use was something called 'email.'  It provided an amazing change in how so many of us communicate.

So how about some killer online apps that create effective collaboration in the classroom?  Many are in the category of Web 2.0 Tools, truly interactive web sites, not like the 'old days' where a site was filled with text and a few pictures.  In the classroom, what students do is not about the application, but the learning that takes place.  Collaboration requires a unique balance between practicality and creativity to be effective in the classroom.

Below, I'll list some common sites, but let's start with a couple resources that keep up to date with many of the latest and greatest online techy gizmos:

Finding Dulcinea - This is set up like an online newsletter.  I like the reference to Dulcinea, the character in Don Quixote.  Click on Finding Education to set up your own classroom account.

Educators Technology - I like the magazine style format here.  This is great for mobile apps., especially with iPads.




Here are a handful of  collaborative sites that you may have heard about:

Edmodo

Prezi

Moodle

Glogster

Voicethread

Diigo

Edublogs

Jing

Livebinder

Animoto

Blabberize

Creately / Gliffy - Graphic Organizers

National Library of Virtual Math Manipulatives

Geogebra - Web/Mac/Android/Windows

Google Applications - short list

Hangout

Spreadsheet (now Google Sheets)

Word Processor

Presentation

Mail

Forms

Docs

Social Media

Twitter

Facebook

Pinterest

Google+  - not much good except for Hangout

Instagram

Classroom Management

AirPlay - Using an Apple TV

Remote Desktop - for Mac Only

Casper  - For Mac Only

Hapara Teacher Dashboard - for Chromebook

...and Some new Apps I am just learning about!! 

ZooBurst

TouchCast

Powtoon
Adobe Connect
Zoom.us