TLED 430 Module 3 Collaborative

Assignment

Web 2.0 Tools to Support Collaborative learning

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

Brooke Madden
Name of the tool Popplet
Where to access www.popplet.com
this tool (web
address)
Brief instructions Popplet is a web 2.0 tool that helps users create concept maps. Popplet can be used among all
of how to use the age groups. This online learning tool can be used inside and outside of the classroom, as it is
tool available as an app as well. Depending on the age group, the students can create their own
accounts and collaborate with other students in class and at home. Popplet can also be used for
assessment purposes. To create a new popplet:
Click anywhere on the map to create a new popple- essentially, a thought bubble.
Add text, images, color, and graphics to the popple. Students can also draw their own
images in the Popple.
Students can add their name to the popple that they have created, giving each student
credit for their Popplet.
Link popples together to create a mind-map, or displays of sequential events.
Add collaborators to the popple by clicking on the Share button in the top right
corner.
Export your popplet in a .jpg or .pdf format to save and use for future purposes.
Ideas for how the For elementary age students, Popplet can be used in class with the supervision of the teacher.
tool can be used Popplet can be displayed on the Smart Board, and each student can come to the Smart Board
in PK-12 and add their own Popple on the page. Popplet can be used for this age group for:
Generating ideas for writing
Organizing thoughts for a short story
Displaying the different parts of a story, letter, or paragraph
Listing facts about specific topics
Comparing and contrasting two pieces of information

For middle and high school students, less direction will be given, and Popplet can be used both
at home and in the classroom. The students can create their own popplet, or work as a group to
design a collaborative popplet. Popplet can be used with this age group for:
Expressing comprehension of fiction and nonfiction texts
Creating character maps to include details such as setting, conflict, and theme
Displaying steps of scientific method
Sequencing events in history
Listing formulas and steps in mathematical procedures

Positives and Positives:

challenges of Makes for easy collaboration
using the tool User-friendly
Visually appealing
Reinforces visual literacy skills
Can access anywhere as it is available as an app for iPhone and Android
TLED 430 Module 3 Collaborative
Assignment

Challenges:
Costly- $4.99/device
Users must have a verified email address (may pose a problem for younger students
who may not be allowed to have their own email address)
Collaboration may be difficult outside of the classroom as students are not face to face
with each other.
Josh Maskerines
Name of the tool Dropbox
Where to access www.dropbox.com
this tool (web
address)
Brief instructions Dropbox is a file storage and sharing program useable with both web-browsing
of how to use the applications and on a mobile device. Dropbox also a collaborative function, Dropbox
tool Paper, for multiple users to open and work on the same document / file. Files are
uploaded into the main folder or can be placed into shareable folders. The
personal account has a limit of 2GB of storage, with
upgrades available to 1TB for personal and 2TB and unlimited storage for business.
There are multiple ways to uploading files, a simple drag and drop or a prompt box to
add files. Sharing is through either an email or providing the link created in the sharing
prompt boxes.
Ideas for how the All Grades: Dropbox is a tool that can be used to aid in communication of files
tool can be used between the teacher and the parents at all grade levels. The program can also be
in PK-12 used to store work as a data backup for tests and allow feedback to and from the
parents and students.
K-6: Parents and Teachers can collaborate with a project, subject or topic to help
assist the student learn, with the parents continuing with the student where the teacher
left off. This will provide continuity of instruction to the student and bring the full
education team together.
6-12: Students can begin to collaborate on projects as a group using Dropbox Paper.
This provides data backup for the work already completed, and allows for the students
to continue working together while each are in different locations.
Positives and Positives:
challenges of 1) Real Time sharing and transfer of files
using the tool 2) Ability for the class or group to work together on building an online project
3) Can share files to parents
4) 30-day backup of deleted files in the event of an inadvertent deletion
Challenges:
1) Cost for storage is approximately $100/yr for 1TB of storage for a single user
account, upwards of $20/ user / month for unlimited storage
2) Must create an account to use, students will each need an account with an
email address so for younger students, parents can be hesitant

Elizabeth Mendenhall
Name of the tool Twiddla
Where to access www.twiddla.com
this tool (web
address)
Brief instructions The teacher will set up an account by giving a username, password, and email
of how to use the address. The teacher would then set up a meeting on the page by going to the API tab
tool to the Creating a new meeting section. The teacher would then give the students the
TLED 430 Module 3 Collaborative
Assignment

password to the meeting so they could use the page as guests.

To collaboratively draw, use the whiteboard button.
To chat or collaborate on writing a document go to the EtherPad in the white
board. While writing you can also mark up the written things on the page to do
things like edit.
To use the document portion if you want the class to revise a written
document, click the document button in the white board and upload your file
from your computer.
To participate in conference calls Hit the voice icon in the whiteboard
Ideas for how the Elementary School:
tool can be used Writing SoLs:
in PK-12 2.12 The student will write stories, letters, and simple explanations.
a) Generate ideas before writing.
b) Organize writing to include a beginning, middle, and end for narrative and
expository writing.
c) Expand writing to include descriptive detail.
d) Revise writing for clarity.

The class would get into groups of ten or less and go to the EtherPad section of the
whiteboard. They would then either chat using Twiddla or would talk to each other in
another app or in person about what they wanted their image to be and who would do
what part of the drawing. They would then write a story or paragraph on the image
giving it an explanation or telling what is happening in their image.

The students could then create a class story using their ideas on the webpage.

Middle School:
Science SoL:
6.7 The student will investigate and understand the natural processes and human
interactions that affect watershed systems. Key concepts include
a) the health of ecosystems and the abiotic factors of a watershed;
b) the location and structure of Virginias regional watershed systems;
c) divides, tributaries, river systems, and river and stream processes;
d) wetlands;
e) estuaries;
f) major conservation, health, and safety issues associated with watersheds; and
g) water monitoring and analysis using field equipment including hand-held technology.

The students will create an image like an infographic or an advertisement to talk about
the water systems. They will work in groups of three or four depending on class size.
They will use the Twiddla site to include real images, drawings, and text about the
human effect on the watershed systems. They will go to one of the local watershed
parts and do a lab experiment on the water with their teacher to give them some
background knowledge before doing this project. They will screen shot their work when
they are done on the site and print it out or show their class through the projector in a
presentation about the systems.

High School:
Writing SoL
10.7 The student will self- and peer-edit writing for correct grammar, capitalization,
punctuation, spelling, sentence structure, and paragraphing.
a) Distinguish between active and passive voice.
b) Apply rules governing use of the colon.
TLED 430 Module 3 Collaborative
Assignment

c) Use a style manual, such as that of the Modern Language Association (MLA) or the
American Psychological Association (APA), to apply rules for punctuation and
formatting of direct quotations.
d) Differentiate between in-text citations and works cited on the bibliography page.
e) Analyze the writing of others.
f) Describe how the author accomplishes the intended purpose of a piece of writing.
g) Suggest how writing might be improved.
h) Proofread and edit final product for intended audience and purpose.

Students in an 10th grade English class will get into groups of three or four and will co-
write a paper on a science project they are doing together. Using the tool, they will go
in and edit the paper together and check the grammar, APA writing, and other parts
which will be on the rubric. They will do so by using the voice conference calling and
the voice button. The students will capture the image so they know what to revise and
edit. Finally, they will present the project, notes from their paper, and reflection on
using the app, either in class or on a video conference to the class or teacher.

Positives and Positives for using this tool:

challenges of 1. Collaboration on different types of projects or activities i.e. the images, documents,
using the tool web pages etc.
2. Can be free for the teacher and would be free for the students.
3. Could be used for all different school age groups

Challenges for using this tool:

1. It could cost money depending on how you choose to use it
2. Students cant save their documents or doodles if they are guests. Teacher would
have to teach how to screen shot an image on the computer and how to save it
correctly.
3. If you are only a guest you have 20 minute time limits for your meetings.

Brittney Spry
Name of the tool NoteApp
Where to access www.noteapp.com
this tool (web
address)
Brief instructions This tool acts a virtual corkboard for virtual sticky notes which the user can add to their
of how to use the virtual corkboard. There is also the option to instant message on the board much like
tool one could on Skype or on Google Hangouts. There are options for different levels of
collaboration from using the website to independently post notes to a corkboard
privately all the way to creating a public URL which can be accessed by anyone with
internet access. While there is a cost for any level of membership above basic, the site
does give discounts on memberships to educators. To use NoteApp as a collaborative
tool one would create a board and then invite other users by email to be collaborators.
For use in an education setting the teacher would be the only to have administrator
rights so that if need be changes could be made to the board in anyway necessary.
Files can also be instantly uploaded be shared with the group and if necessary with
one person which could come in use for forms needing to be filled out by parents and
students. In older students, this tool would be useful for collaboration on group
projects.
Ideas of how the Elementary School level students:
tool can be used Most interaction would occur between parents and educators.
in PK-12 Forms for completion by parents can be uploaded by educators and to be
completed and returned to them. For example, permission slips or forms which
may need to be filled out by parents at the start of a school year.
TLED 430 Module 3 Collaborative
Assignment

Educators can upload pdfs of homework documents that need to be completed

in case a student loses a worksheet. Instructions for projects to be completed
at home may also be uploaded in case they have been lost.
Parents would have ability to brainstorm with one another as well as the
teacher if issues come up while completing at home assignments.
Students could dependent on their age, with the help of a parent, ask the
teacher questions about projects and assignments.
Sticky notes can be added to the board in various colors which may appeal to
younger children.

Middle School Level Students:

Students at this age level will have more access to the internet and therefore
more utilization of this tool than younger children.
Homework and project documents can be uploaded here for students who may
have misplaced their original copy.
Students may have the opportunity to use this tool to submit homework which
was not turned in during class.
Group projects will begin at this age level at which point the educator could
create boards for students based on assigned groups and invite each student
to specific boards depending on which group they have been assigned to.
This tool could also be used by students at this age to collaborate on
assignments which a student may need further clarification on.
Teacher supervision on all boards will be vital to ensure that boards for this
age group remain on topic and appropriate which can be done through the
administrator feature.

High School Level Students:

Discussion board style assignments can now be assigned at this age level.
Through the NoteApp site the teacher could assign a topic for discussion which
students could respond to using the sticky notes. This would be great
preparation for college level discussion boards in their future.
Group projects will be assigned often at this age level, use of NotesApp would
help the teacher to ensure that all members of the group are contributing fairly
as well as documents would be able to be easily shared within the group to all
members in the group.
Boards can be used to keep students up to date on approaching due dates
and assignments for each specific class period.
Positives and Positives:
challenges of This tool gives students and parents access to the teacher on nights and
using the tool weekends as well as to each other to collaborate and brainstorm together.
The ability to share documents is very helpful to all levels as in school there
are always documents that need to be filled out as well as this would eliminate
the issue of lost homework worksheets or project instructions.
Unique and easy to remember URLs can be created for the board so that each
board can be quickly and easily found.
Negatives:
There is a cost associated with the website for the educator.
As there is more student participation with older lever students, the teacher will
need to be particularly mindful to ensure the site is used appropriately and for
educational purposes only.