Collaboration is no longer considered a nice add-on but an important feature in learning. The current reality is that there is a surplus of tools and applications that encourage and support collaborative learning, from social networks to instant messaging applications.
Today's much-improved collaboration process and tools are filling the lack of human touch, which has long been a criticism of online learning (Duncan et al., 2012). Technology is no longer a barrier to genuine interaction but instead an enabler . Collaboration not only supports cognitive processes, but also socio-emotional processes by involving learners in getting to know each other, committing to social relationships, developing trust and belonging, and build a sense of on-line community (Kennedy and Cuts, 2005).
Apps for collaborative learning can be most effective for brainstorming, communication, group work collaboration and sharing. The various features of apps such as space for multiple participants to collaborate in real time, as well as the ability to type, draw, share images, chat or talk with collaborators, record work, built-in chat, colours for different authors, tracking changes, playback of writing, ability to insert comments, audio via webcam or phone, text chat, polling, drawing, and screen sharing allows the participant to have a positive collaborative learning experience.
WHAT APPS DO YOU USE FOR COLLABORATIVE LEARNING AND WHAT IMPROVEMENTS WOULD YOU RECOMMEND FOR THE APPS YOU HAVE LISTED?
Sources:
- Duncan, D.K.; Hoekstra, A.R. & Wilcox, B.R. (2012) Digital devices, distraction, and student performance: Does in-class cell phone use reduce learning? Astronomy education review, 11,010108- 1, 10.3847
- Kennedy, G.,&Cuts, Q. (2005). The association between students use and electronic voting system and their learning outcomes. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 21, 260–268.
Contributed by Farishta Amiri.