01/07/03

What is the Tool:

The Tool is a workspace for participants to collaborate on writing projects, assignments, and other activities which require the ability to edit text documents. The Tool is a work space that is designed to assist a community exploring the idea and use of learning environments (over instructional environments) on the Internet. The tool may be accessed with any Internet browser, from anywhere in the world.

The Tool is a place where the equity of voice and idea is valued. All participants have equal responsibility in the Tool's space.

The Tool is actually a text area or field in an interactive, web based database environment. Users share a common password, leave messages and comments for their team, and access other tools for the enhancement of communications between team members, as they work on their text.

Using the Tool:

• A representative of the team or community will be required to create a record or account
  in the Tool. This is completed for each module assignment when noted.
• There will be a common password shared by the members of the community. (I recommend that you use the same password for each module)
• Members will be able to collaborate in different ways using the Tool and various communication tools (email, chat, fax, telephone, real-time interactive discussion areas)

Two functions of the Tool:

• The first function of the tool is to act as a creative and collaborative writing space accessable from anywhere on the Internet.
• The second use of the tool is to generate a "read only" version of the collaborative text. This version is usually formatted into a report or paper presentation which may be printed out.

Submitting text to the Tool:

• It is recommended that you first work in your word processor or some text editor
  before posting to your team's work area. You may refer to this as a working journal
  or log for your activities to return to if there is a posting problem.
• Open your Team's work area by using the common shared password (I suggest using the
  password for each module)
• Paste your "text" (the tool will not accept graphics) into the provided text area.
  Note: hard returns will force a skipped line or empty line (paragraph break). To make a list use your return key at the end of each line. The text fields use "word-wrap", so the line length will be adjusted in the final or summary report for each module.
• submit or update your team's record (do this only once, clicking the button will only create multiple copies of your work area)
• Leave the work area

Summary Report:

The fourth (4) option on the Tool page is to view a read only version of the module posting. You can not edit this version.

A working example:

Your team decides to meet and edit their text document on-line. These are some of the steps you could follow, using multiple applications, for real time collaboration.

• Open your working space
• Open your Summary Report (read only) for that assignment
• Have the group meet in CHAT
• Discuss the changes in CHAT
• One person makes the changes in the work (editing) space, submitts changes
• Everyone refreshes their browser screen for the "Summary Rport"
• Comments are exchanged in CHAT concerning the posting
• Further changes are made

In this example you will have three (3) windows open on your computer

-- CHAT
-- Editing work space in the Tool
-- Summary Rport page

You just need to organize your team, and be aware of which application (window)
you are working in.

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