The document discusses collaboration sites and their use for communication and collaboration among students. It lists several benefits of students using digital environments and media to interact, collaborate, publish, and communicate with peers to support learning. Examples of collaboration sites mentioned include Google Docs, ThinkFree, and Zoho Office, along with pros and cons of the first two. The document suggests using such sites for students to plan group projects remotely and share files from home to complete at school and vice versa.

1. Collaboration Sites Jim Gates

2. Why bother? 2. Communication and Collaboration Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others. Students: a. interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts or others employing a variety of digital environments and media . b. communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats. c. develop cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with learners of other cultures. d. contribute to project teams to produce original works or solve problems.

3. Sites for today Google docs http://tinyurl.com/3a8qdm ThinkFree http://tinyurl.com/3626o9 Zoho Office No sample (check out the notebook!)

4. Others http://www.ajaxlaunch.com/ajaxwrite/ http://goffice.com/ http://www.writewith.com/ - interesting youtube video on it

5. Let’s Play! First – Google Docs http://tinyurl.com/3a8qdm Pros: Very easy to use Smooth synchronous editing Cons: Can’t create and save in folders Only word processing and spreadsheets – for now

6. ThinkFree http://tinyurl.com/3626o9 Pros: Excellent editor Can create and store in folders Cons: Slow to load in Power editing mode Requires a Java download each time

7. Classroom uses Kids plan group projects remotely Kids upload word or excel files from home to complete at school – visa versa