Presented by Team 1:

Doug Costa, Brittny Malinowski, Hiedi Smith, and Laurie Wrona

Computers in Education EDU539OLCollaborative ProjectProfessor Bill Rhinaman

Benefits of Online Collaboration

• Helps to build an online community of learners

• Facilitates the integrated mastery of course content, collaborative technologies, planning and communication skills,

and online interaction

• Engages students and educators with leading communicative technologies

Items for Discussion:

Collaborative Document Creation and Sharing

Google Docs Summary

•Free, web-based service offered by Google

•“Cloud-based storage” means that files are created and accessed locally, but stored remotely

•Offers file creation, storage, and collaboration

Google Docs Access

•Simultaneous, real-time sharing and editing of files by multiple users

•Users can access their files at any time, from any computer that has an internet connection

•Users can access their files from mobile devices, including Android, iPad, and iPhone applications

Google Docs Functions

•Word Processor

•Spreadsheet

•Presentation/Slideshow

•Form/Data Collection

•Drawing Tools

Google Docs File Formats

•HTML

•PDF

•.doc (Microsoft Word compatible)

•.xls (Microsoft Excel compatible)

Google Docs Price Plan

•1 GB of storage is free

•Users can purchase additional storage at the price of $5/20 GB

Google Docs in the Classroom

•Ideal for collaborative projects

•Allows for self-paced editing by all team members

•Instructors can review the contributions by each individual, as well as the whole group

•Allows for peer editing and collaborative review of essays and projects

Google Docs Strengths

•Offers a variety of document templates

•A familiar interface that is similar to Microsoft Office

•Allows for file storage in a variety of standard formats

•Encourages group collaboration

•Users can upload pictures, video, and other document types

•Allows choice of language

Google Docs Weaknesses

•Ability to create, access, and edit documents is dependent upon an internet connection

•The interface is not as polished as Microsoft Office

Google Docs Overall

Analysis• A solid and stable program that is worth trying

• User-friendly and easy to learn

• Enables users to easily collaborate and edit the same document

• Accessible from any computer or device with an Internet connection

• Easy to group documents together in different folders

Overall Analysis

• As Google’s online competition for Microsoft Office, it can definitely hold its own

• While some of the tools may not be as polished as those found inMicrosoft Office, it is free!

• New and improved features and updates are constantly being added

Real Time Instant Messaging Client

ooVoo Summary

•ooVoo is a real time instant messaging client

•It offers real-time communication by text, voice, or video

•Additional features include desktop sharing, which allows a user to provide remote viewing of their desktop and open applications, and secure file sharing

•The ooVoo Business Suite offers additional features and applications, including increased security protocols and full-featured reporting functions

ooVoo Price Plan

•Features are offered in a mix of free and pay-for-use options

•Video chats are free for up to three users

•For a fee, up to six video users and six voice users can participate in a conference

•The additional services are offered at the price of $.10/minute on a per-use basis, or up to $269.55/year for a defined-usage ooVoo Pro annual plan

•If one participant in a conference has a plan with additional permissions, all of the participants in the conference, even those participating via a free registration, can see all of the active call windows.

ooVoo in the Classroom

•ooVoo is an easy to use conferencing solution

•It is appropriate for parent-teacher conferences, student-teacher conferences, and communication between educational professionals, including both teachers and administrative staff

•Helps to overcome barriers to virtual learning by facilitating the virtual classroom experience

ooVoo Strengths

•Easy to install the software and create an account

•Prompts for set-up are helpful and straightforward, including the use of the webcam, speakers, and microphone

•Allows users to import their existing contacts

•It can be used for voice and video communication, and it interfaces with email and Facebook

ooVoo Weaknesses

•Full installations may require the adjustment of some firewall settings

•Banner advertising may be intrusive

ooVoo Overall Analysis

• Useful if you need 3-way video conferencing

• Super plan subscription available for 6 party video chats.

• If you're not already hooked on Skype, where you connect with all your contacts and friends, give ooVoo a try.

• Must have high tolerance for banner ads!

ooVoo Overall Analysis

• Installs toolbars and changes to your homepage without asking.

• Criticized for malware, spyware, and viruses

• Overall, very low ratings from users

Online Voice Chat Application

Voxli Summary

• Voxli is an online voice chat application

•It provides simultaneous voice chat for up to 200 people in a session

•Users can have multiple sessions open simultaneously

Voxli Functions

•Compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems

•Operates directly in a web browser, so there is no need for large downloads or complicated server setup

•Users simply email or IM the URL of an active conference to a desired participant

•No registration is required after receipt of an invitation, so users can access the active chat immediately

Voxli Additional Features

•By installing a proprietary browser plug-in, users can access Voxli in HD audio

•Voxli is compatible with all gaming-style audio headsets

•Users can access the Voxli Push-to-Talk feature outside of their web browser, directly in a desired application

Voxli Price Plan

•During its current open BETA signup period, Voxli is free for all users and may be used for conferences of all sizes at no charge

Voxli in the Classroo

m•Voxli is appropriate for meetings after usual class hours

•Its function is similar to an Elluminate office, which promotes the “open classroom” model

•It is great for collaborative distance education groups, and can be used for meetings or informal chat groups

Voxli Strengths

•Users can add videos to watch with other members of chat group

•Users can send links to anyone, with no registration required

•Many chat rooms can be opened simultaneously

•Voxli is compatible with all gaming headsets

•The Push-to-Talk option is available outside of the web browser

Voxli Weaknesses

•It is not intuitive, and no directions for use are included

•Support services are only offered via email

Voxli Overall Analysis

• Group voice chat supports up to 200 simultaneous users

• Each voice conference has a URL associated with it, so it can be easily shared with friends via email, Instant Messaging, forums, or blogs

• Popular with online gamers and gaming communities

• Compatible with all gaming-style headsets

Voxli Overall Analysis

• Allows you to create quick voice conferences entirely in your Web browser

• Supports Push-to-Talk (walkie-talkie) functionality outside of the Web browser while in another window

• Echo cancellation technology improves sound quality and helps to remove background noise

Summary of Online Collaboration Technologies

Summary of Online Collaboration Technologies•These technologies help to facilitate the creation of, and student participation in, online learning communities

•Each has its strengths and weaknesses, and there is not necessarily a “one size fits all” service to cover every need and application

•If used properly, online collaborative technologies help to integrate effective presentation of course content, the development of teamwork, and engagement with leading communication technologies

Access for Services Discussed•https://docs.google.com•http://www.oovoo.com/home.aspx•https://voxli.com

Additional Research Materials Used•http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Docs•http://docs.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=49008•https://www.google.com/accounts/b/0/PurchaseStorage•http://onlinewebtech.blogspot.com/2010/11/google-introduces-plugin-to-integrate.html•http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OoVoo•http://www.cstechplus.com/ooVoo/ooVoofaqs.asp•https://voxli.com/h/about.html•http://blog.voxli.com/

Music•Bach, J. S. (n.d.). Suite no. 1 in G major, BMV 1007: I. prelude. On Bach, J.S.: The Cello Suites [mp3]. Performed by Pierre Fournier. Hamburg: Deutsce Grammphon GmbH.

References