Tools for Online Learning and Collaboration

This Discussion will provide an introduction to a variety of tools available for online learning
and collaboration. Please complete the following:
Part 1: Toolbox Reflection
Read the list of tools presented in the Centre for Learning & Performance Technologies (2009)
website linked below. Construct a list identifying the tools from the website you have used in a
work setting and state the type of activity you were participating in with each tool (i.e., what
purpose did it serve?). Additionally, identify the tools from the list that you have not used and
state a workplace activity you might participate in with each. Finally, what tools are you using in
your workplace for collaboration, specifically, that are not listed in the article?

Centre for Learning & Performance Technologies. (2009). 25 tools every learning
professional should have in their toolbox. Retrieved from the C4LPT Website:
http://c4lpt.co.uk/janes-articles-and-presentations/25-tools-a-toolbox-for-learningprofessionals-2009/

Web browser Yes a web browser is used for employee website, job postings
and some hiring/training activities.
Social bookmarking tool No, but it would be useful in introducing new company
policies, events and updates to policies.
Blogging tool No, but it could be used to introduce managers/executives to
staff/personnel.
RSS/Feed reader No, but it could be used to communicate emerging
technologies in the shipping industry to keep management updated on the latest
trends..
Micro-blogging tool No, nut Twitter could be used to report changes in work
schedules that arise out of emergency. It could also be used to give
commendations to employees.
Email Email is used to provide interview information..
Instant messaging No, but it also could be used to relate last minute changes in
work schedules in addition to addressing employees individually.
Personal productivity tool No, but scheduling meetings and other events could
be done with this type of tool.

 Mind mapping tool No. but it could be used to solicit employee feedback/input
on existing production operation systems and add the input to managements mind
mapping for possible correlation and strategizing .

Presentation tool No, but Powerpoint could be used to present resume, work
history, innovative ideas, etc. to employee.
Presentation sharing tool No. but could also be used to share resume, personal
information and present ideas to employer with audiovisual aid.
Online office suite No, but I could use the tool to collaborate with other
employees on drafting a list of grievances to be submitted to management
concerning work conditions.
Web conferencing tool No, but I could use it to present the list of grievances to
employees for their approval before given to management..
Course authoring tool No. but online classroom could be used for training
purposes.
Screen capture tool Yes, I have used screen capture, Jing, to present
information from school endeavors to my job.
Demo/screencasting tool Yes, I used screencasts to present my transcript and
enrollment information to my job.
Web authoring tool No. but I could use a website creation tool to set up an
company review forum.
Wiki tools No, but I could use Wiki to gather information from employees on
grievances, suggestions and commendations directed toward the company.
Image/photo tools Yes. Imaging is used to take pictures of work done properly
vs poorly for training purposes in addition to proper vs improper methods.
Audio/podcasting tools No, but I could use audio/.podcasting to direct
employees on how to properly submit grievances.
Video tools No, but video could be used to demonstrate how a job is to be done
and the consequences of not doing it right in addition to conducting
orientation/training.

Personal dashboard No, but I could use Personal dashboard tools or start
pages to streamline /document/ store information on employees for retrieval,
review and reporting.

Social networking tool No, but I could use social networking to reach co-

workers with information concerning work schedules, events and policy

changes. Basically, I could use Facebook or Linked to network.

Integrated social media platform No, but integrated social media

platforms could be used to package digital resources for a comprehensive
compilation of pertinent information concerning the work environment and
advanced knowledge-sharing.

To the best of my knowledge there are no digital/technological tools that I use at work
which are not listed in the above table.

Part 2: Evaluation of Tools using Twitter Adoption Matrix

From the tools that you identified in Part 1, select three and evaluate them using the Twitter
Adoption Matrix presented in the following article:

Sample, M. (2010). A framework for teaching with twitter. Retrieved from

http://chronicle.com/blogs/profhacker/a-framework-for-teaching-with-twitter/26223

For example, is the tool In-class back channel, pedagogical communication, etc?

Technological tool integration into Twitter Adoption Matrix

MINDMAPPING ..Metacognitive/Reflective Activity
INSTANT MESSAGINGOutside of Class Discussions

RSS FEEDSTracking Activities..Pediological Communication

Part 3 :Collaboration Tool Research Review

Use our Ashford University Library to locate a peer reviewed journal article that explores the use
of one or more of the online collaboration tools provided in the Centre for Learning &
Performance Technologies (2009) list. Please refer to the following tutorials for guidance on
conducting scholarly research at the Ashford Library:

About Scholarly Journals and Online Databases

How to Conduct Research Using the Ashford Library

You should then use this article(s) to support your response in the weekly discussion. Please
specify the database where you located the article(s) as part of your APA citation.
After reading the article, create a one to two paragraph summary that includes the following:

Identify the tool the article explored

Summarize the purpose of the article.

Summarize the key points, findings, and/or conclusions presented in the article.

Describe your reactions to the article e.g., what are the strengths and weaknesses of the
study? To what extent do you predict the key points, findings, and/or conclusions of the
article might influence the future of online learning and collaboration?

Include the full APA citation for the article consulted, including database from which the
article was retrieved.

Responses
The article I chose is Factors Affecting Knowledge Sharing Among Esl Undergraduates
in Completing Collaborative Writing Tasks Using Wiki and Skype. Thus the tools discussed for
purposes of online collaboration are Wiki and Skype. Wiki can be used to gather information
from individuals pertaining to a certain topic, record the information and edit the information as
necessary. Skype can be used for audiovisual communication/instruction/feedback through
instant messaging and webcam services. The two tools can actually be used for the same project
with Wiki as a database and Skype as the open line for asynchronous/synchronous
communications. Hiew and Hoon (2014) state, thus, this study aimed to find out which factors
affect students knowledge sharing in online collaboration, and to identify which CMC tools
benefit or limit collaborative learning (p.46). Therefore, the purpose of the article is to explore
what learning environment characteristics affect knowledge sharing and alternative means of
online knowledge sharing and ones merit as an teaching/learning tool.

The author stresses the intended takeaways from this article through statements regarding
the learning environment dynamics and Computer-mediated communication (CMC). When
using CMC tools social interaction and knowledge sharing affected learning outcomes. CMC is
effective for teaching English classes that may require collaborative writing. Skype was
preferred over Wiki because of the ease of use/ access . Learning Management systems (LMS),
Google Docs and Face Books are also viable CMC tools. A team leader should be assigned out
of the group and the instructor must be aware that some students will catch on and learn faster
than others. The studies strengths are the consideration of a social perspective in critiquing
factors that affect learning and the introduction of social networks as a means of learning through
online collaboration. The weaknesses in my opinion is the failure by the author to discuss how
limitations- such as differing levels of technical competencies among learners -can be accounted
for and minimized if not eliminated completely. My overall reaction to the article is that CMC
tools are closely associated with Web 2.0 tools and articles/studies such as the one
critiqued/summarized in this paper lead to and warrant further study and experimentation with
web-based learning in group settings while advocating the present use of CMC tools on a
trial/error basis. The articles is trending towards Web 2.0 tools as viable options for future
advancements in online learning/knowledge sharing.

Hiew, Y., & Hoon, T. B. (2014). FACTORS AFFECTING KNOWLEDGE SHARING AMONG
ESL UNDERGRADUATES IN COMPLETING COLLABORATIVE WRITING TASKS
USING WIKI AND SKYPE. The English Teacher, 43(2), 46-62. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/1626833202?accountid=32521