TLED 430 Module 3

Collaborative Assignment
Web 2.0 Tools to Support Collaborative learning
Remember to write the ODU honor pledge at the end of this table.

Read the directions in Blackboard on how to complete this sheet.

Name of the tool
Where to access
this tool (web
address)
Brief instructions
of how to use the
tool

Ideas for how the

tool can be used
in PK-12

Positives and
challenges of
using the tool

Google Docs
https://docs.google.com
Google Docs is a word processing program that allows users to edit,
comment and save their work simultaneously all within the same
document. When you first open google docs you are presented with five
document template choices. Click more and many more document
templates will appear, such as lesson plan, meeting notes, report, essay,
etc. For an example of how to use the tool, click on Essay, paperback.
A nicely formatted example essay loads on to the screen with formatting
tools and icons similar to Microsoft Word displayed across the top of the
screen. Click on the tools tab, and then voice typing. Click the
microphone icon to toggle between pause and record voice to text.
Share comments by clicking the comment icon. Changes to the
document automatically save to Google Drive, where the document can
be accessed at any time by authorized users with an internet
connection. Click add-ons, get add-ons to open a page with many
free downloads that can be used to expand the capabilities of Google
Docs.
1. 7th grade students working in teams on a science project could
use the Report Template to write a collaborative report on their
findings. Once complete, different teams could review and share
comments on each others reports, noting differences in how the
experiment was conducted, and how those differences affected
the final results. Teachers could click on Editing, then
Suggesting to provide suggestions and guidance within the
documents without making changes to the work done by the
teams.
2. By using Google Translate, a free download through the add-ons
tab, teachers could encourage international collaboration
between 4th grade students. For example, to learn about cultural
differences, students in a US classroom and students in a Spanish
classroom could write essays about their life, including school,
sports and leisure activities. The essays could then be shared,
translated and commented on by students from the other
country.
3. 3rd grade teachers could use the table tool by clicking tools,
table, then create a multiplication table with random numbers
missing. Assign students to work together in groups to complete
the table. Once complete, click the share button, type in the
teachers e-mail address, then click done to give the teacher
access to review and comment.
Positives:
1. Easy to get started, all that is required is a computer, phone or tablet
with a Gmail account and internet connection. 2. Allows for teachers
and students to edit, comment and add suggestions to documents all at

TLED 430 Module 3

Collaborative Assignment
the same time and from various locations. 3. Documents created in
Microsoft Word can be uploaded and converted to Google Docs for easy
sharing. 4. Lots of free expandability with add-ons and compatibility
with Google Sheets (similar to MS Excel) and Google Slides (similar to MS
PowerPoint).
Challenges: 1. Some students may not have access to the required
hardware, software and internet connection to use Google Docs at home.
2. In order to have full functionality of the tool, the web browser Google
Chrome is required. 3. Some schools or parents may only allow a
specific web browser to be used due to internet security concerns. 4.
Logging into Google Docs requires an e-mail address. Some students
and parents may have privacy and password protection concerns when
multiple students are logging on and off the same school computers
throughout the day.
Name of the tool
Where to access
this tool (web
address)
Brief instructions
of how to use the
tool

Ideas for how the

tool can be used
in PK-12

Dropbox
https://www.dropbox.com/
Dropbox is a web 2.0 tool used for sharing syncing and saving electronic
documents and media. Access the website using the link above, then
click the blue button on the center of the screen that says Get
Dropbox. You can choose to get the basic account for free, which
includes 2 GB of storage, or you can pay a monthly fee to upgrade to a
professional account and get 1000 GB of storage. If you have Gmail, you
can sign up using your Gmail account. Otherwise, you will need to
provide an e-mail address and create a password. After your account
has been created, you will be directed to another page where you will
see folders and sharing options. Click the dropdown menu next to your
name at the top right corner, then install the free download. This will
install dropbox on your computer. Go to file explorer on your computer
to find the download if it does not come up after the download. Once
Dropbox has downloaded, you can add your files, documents and other
media to it and they will be automatically available on all your other
electronic devices on which the Dropbox tool has been downloaded.
Installing Dropbox on student computers will then allow students to
access assignments and turn in homework.
1. At all grade levels, teachers can assist students with sharing
documents, handouts and reading materials.
2. Teachers can store class resources. Grades 3 and above can be
taught how to access those resources from their computers at
home, for downloading and/or printing to be used for study
material and to catch up on assignments when absent from class.
3. Teachers can share larger files with students of all grades, such
as large PowerPoint presentations or video clips. Dropbox
provides an advantage to teachers because these files could not
be shared through most e-mail accounts due to file size
restrictions.
4. For 6th grade group presentations, students can work from home,
while collaborating and integrating their part of the presentation
with other students in different locations.
5. Students can use the program for submitting assignments, and
teachers can grade and provide feedback to the student without
the need for paperwork or other external media such as CDs or
flash drives.

TLED 430 Module 3

Collaborative Assignment

Positives and
challenges of
using the tool

Name of the tool

Where to access
this tool (web
address)
Brief instructions
of how to use the
tool

6. 8th grade students can use Dropbox installed on school computers

to put their science projects in a Dropbox file labeled Science
Experiment and the teacher can easily access all students work
for that project in one folder. Additionally, the teacher can
interact by providing additional information and resources for the
students specific to that project in that folder.
Positives: 1. Teachers no longer need to e-mail themselves files or use
external storage devices to transfer media to and from different
workspaces. Once files are saved on Dropbox, they are accessible on all
devices with Dropbox. 2. Other programs such as Evernote, Things,
1Password and Elements all have Dropbox sync on them, which reduces
time spent transferring files from one program to another. 3. Dropbox is
a great tool for backing up all your important files. If your computer
crashes, all your files on Dropbox would still be accessible on another
computer with Dropbox installed. 4. Teachers can share files and media.
Take your best classroom resources and upload them to Dropbox for
other teachers to use, share and comment on. 5. Teachers and students
can access documents from anywhere at anytime. 6. Its even possible
to access Dropox files from computers without the Dropbox download by
going directly to the Dropbox website and accessing through your
internet browser. 7. Files are synced and capability to undo changes
exists for 30 days after last draft.
Challenges: 1. Teachers would need to keep in mind that student
privacy can be an issue with potentially sensitive information, such as
student grades and personnel data being stored using off-site storage.
2. The free download is limited to 2GB of storage. This is probably
enough for students, however, teachers will likely need to pay for the
premium account with greater storage capabilities. 3. Fast internet
connection speed is required to sync large files and other media
between different devices. Slower connections will take longer to sync,
which could cause some students to miss assignment deadlines.
Additionally, if you shutdown your computer during a sync, you would
interrupt the update and would potentially be working on the previous
update to your files the next time you logged on.
SimpleVLE
http://www.simplevle.com
Simple VLE is a virtual learning environment designed for interaction
between teachers and students that is similar to Blackboard. Visit the
web address above, click register and select student or instructor.
Create a profile with a username and password. My Profile will appear
after logging in. In your profile you can access classes, assignments,
tests and grades. Click on View Instructor and View Classmates to
see contact information about your instructor and classmates.

TLED 430 Module 3

Collaborative Assignment
Ideas for how the
tool can be used
in PK-12

Positives and
challenges of
using the tool

1.

For all grades, teacher can maximize classroom time by teaching

for the duration of the class, then assign homework and tests to
be completed at home. Students would be required to log in to
SimpleVLE, go to My Classes then access assignments and
tests as they were due.
2. A 3rd grade teacher could create practice tests for help students
prepare for the SOL. The tests could be set for students to be
able to take them unlimited number of times. If the test is
multiple choice, it could be set to grade electronically upon
submission, so the student would have immediate feedback on
problem areas that require additional study.
3. Students who are absent from school due to illness or injury
could review homework and access assignments from home.
4. 4th grade students could collaborate on a science project after
class by accessing the project from their computers at home,
then using chat, text or conference call to interact and
accomplish the assignment.
Positives: 1. Allows teachers the flexibility to assign homework that can
be completed and graded outside of the classroom, leaving more time
for in-classroom activities. 2. Teachers could allow access for students
to take practice tests at any time, which could better prepare them for
SOLs and other exams. 3. Students that shy away from traditional
social interaction may feel more at ease when interacting in a virtual
environment. 4. VLE can be used with Google Translate, to assist with
foreign language assignments.
Challenges: 1. Parents would not have direct access because they are
not a student or an instructor. 2. Tests and other sensitive information
could easily be compromised if it were allowed to be accessed by
students on computers outside of the school. 3. Schools would need to
allow after-hours access to internet computers. Not all students have
computers with internet access at home, putting them at a
disadvantage.

From this ODU webpage https://online.odu.edu/policies-and-student-responsibilities copy the

Honor Pledge below to make the promise that you have met online as instructed in a face-toface virtual environment (e.g. Skype or Google Hangouts) to complete this assignment.
I pledge to support the Honor System of Old Dominion University. I will refrain from any form of
academic dishonesty or deception, such as cheating or plagiarism. I am aware that as a
member of the academic community it is my responsibility to turn in all suspected violations of
the Honor Code. I will report to a hearing if summoned.