TLED 430 Module 3 Collaborative Assignment

Web 2.0 Tools to Support Collaborative learning

Leah Russell

Name of the tool TodaysMeet

Where to access https://todaysmeet.com/

this tool (web
address)

Brief instructions of The teacher creates an account in TodaysMeet. Then they able to open up
how to use the tool a classroom that will let the students instant message through the website
without interrupting the information that is being presented by the teacher.
The teacher also can allow users who are not in the class to participate in
the discussion. Each classroom is password protected by the creator. The
teacher also can dictate how long they want the classroom to be open so
they can go back into the conversations after the lesson to see what the
students were understanding or what they may have had questions about.
The students are able to put in a nickname and then they can post
messages throughout the session, but the teacher will still have access to
all of their messages.

Ideas for how the Elementary: It would be more useful in the higher grades in elementary
tool can be used in schools because the students would have a better understanding of how to
PK-12 use a website that allowed so much unspoken interaction while still
keeping them on task. It would be a great tool to use when presenting new
content to a large group so the students can ask the questions that they
may feel afraid to ask out loud. It also will help the teacher know what to go
back over that may not have been understood by more than one student.
Middle: When a teacher is going over an assignment or the students have
a collaborative assignment the students would be able to speak to each
other on the assignment or in general without disrupting the entire class. It
would allow for the students who need help to ask questions that the
teacher may not have been able to answer as well to get a different
perspective on the topic.
High School: In a science class, the students could use this tool as a way
to give each other information that the teacher may not be aware of. The
best way to use it be to create a classroom for each class and then after
the class has left you can look at the history to see if they were on task.

Positives and Pros:

challenges of using It allows the students to ask each other questions without
the tool interrupting the teacher while they are presenting the information
and can bring them different ways to look at something the teacher
may not have been able to see.
Keeps the students quite while the teacher is talking even
if they are not always on task
Work is connected to each students name
Also helps to connect the students to how each other
TLED 430 Module 3 Collaborative Assignment

thinks to create new ways.

It also allows the students to refer back to past comments
made in the discussion.
Cons:
The students can get incredibly off topic because the
teacher will not be watching over their shoulder
Students can create fake nicknames creating confusion on
who is actually typing.
Elementary schools might have more issues with this
because the students are given more independence so PreK-2nd
grade students might have difficulty using the application because
of the self discipline it requires that they may not have fully
developed yet.

Sam Sacks

Name of the tool Edmodo

Where to access https://www.edmodo.com/

this tool

Brief instructions of Edmodo is essentially social media for education. The layout is similar to
how to use the tool facebook and is a great tool for facilitating conversation. Unlike other social
media sites, Edmodo is designed specifically for students, educators, and
parents. The site allows users to be placed into virtual groups. Once
students login, they are prompted to enter a 6-digit group code (provided
by the teacher or group leader). Once inside the group, students can
communicate with each other as well as the teacher.

Ideas for how the Elementary: One of Edmodos most useful features is the option to create
tool can be used in accounts for parents. At the Elementary level, this may be the best way to
PK-12 utilize Edmodo. Teachers are able to post announcements, provide
individual feedback, and post resources for use outside of the classroom.
On the other side, parents can ask questions, check their childs online
work, or communicate with other parents. This feature is especially helpful
for children with special needs or behavioral issues.
Middle: Students at the middle school level can really begin to take
advantage of Edmodos tools. Students can easily communicate with one
another about group assignments, or they can access additional learning
tools. Edmodo allows teachers to go green by posting all assignments
online. As quizzes and tests become more difficult, teachers can take
advantage of Edmodos ability to automatically grade assignments!
High School: Edmodo seems most beneficial for High School students
because they would have a large enough amount of work to make it useful.
Edmodo can be used for whole classes (ex: TLED 430), or it can be used
to make groups within classrooms (ex: 3 students within TLED 430 can
have their own group). That way, when a topic is covered students and the
instructor can communicate in order to ask questions, clarify information, or
for general participation. During their Junior and Senior years, there are
many ways that students could use Edmodo for college prep.
TLED 430 Module 3 Collaborative Assignment

Positives and Pros

challenges of using The ability to create many different virtual classrooms or
the tool groups
Parental accounts allow parents to stay up to date and
help their students at home
Teachers can easily provide clarification for assignments
Ability to post assignments, quizzes, and polls directly in
the group
Paperless classroom
Ability to change who can view each item (ex: teachers
can post a message to parents that students cannot view)

Cons
Students must have a specific code for each group,
meaning they cannot join freely
If students or teachers use Edmodo for multiple classes it
could become confusing to navigate
Unless the work load demands it, Edmodo could be an
unnecessary distraction for students

Ali Roane

Name of the tool Mindomo

Where to access https://www.mindomo.com/

this tool (web
address)

Brief instructions of Mindomo is a productive way to collaborate thoughts into visual

how to use the tool brainstorming that a student can use to plan out a project or essay. With
mind mapping you draw your information into diagrams instead of
sentences, the diagram will take the form of a tree with starting at a single
point and branching out. Mindomo helps you develop ideas and enables
you to brainstorm with you team. Within the map you can add notes,
attachments, multimedia, comments, and icons.

Ideas for how the Elementary: Mindomo is gear toward the higher grades but could be use
tool can be used in in a fourth or fifth grade setting. When working on a collaborative project
PK-12 groups can use mindomo to help give them ideas and organize their
thoughts. There are many icons available on Mindomo making splitting
ideas up fun because you want to use them all. The children will love
working and separating main ideas in a way they can relate and have fun
with.
Middle: When tasked with a group project student often can't come up with
ideas to create the project itself. Mindomo can take that pain away with an
easy to use idea builder which allows a group create ideas and come up
with a topic and theme for the project. In middle school students will start to
write multiple essay with the lengths noticeably increasing. Mindomo can
TLED 430 Module 3 Collaborative Assignment

help students collaborate thoughts with an easy to edit web mapping.

Teachers can use Mindomo in class to go over numerous topics in detail
when breaking down the issue at hand is important. This will help the
students understand the topic more clearly by seeing the information in
different ways.
High school:This is the grade levels that can truly take advantage of all
mindomo has to offer. With many collaborative projects coming a student's
way in high school what could be better than an online web mapping that
all members in the group can edit and upload at anytime. They can add
see the changes from another member and be able to comment and
continue to edit to make the project that much easier.

Positives and Pros

challenges of using Several features which will make it very easy for the
the tool professor and their students to use Mindomo in the classroom.
Such as creating mind map assignments, setting up groups for
students, accessing students maps, etc
Use mind maps to understand facts, issues and ideas
revolving around a central topic
It's very simple to add and use Mindomo from the school's
Google Apps or Office 365 account the presenter feature lets
students turn their maps into slide-by-slide presentations. This way
they can show others their thought process as they developed the
maps.
To explain certain topics better, add related videos from
the web or audio record your explanation directly in the mind map.
Cons
The program may be a little too complex for younger
grades
Some students do not learn by mapping and webbing
ideas
Could be a distraction to some students with the variety of
pictures and emoticons.
Mindomo could hinder some students(maybe seen as a
waste of time) with time who can map out ideas in their head or
real quick on a piece of paper.