New collaborative tools from Google

Google's new Smart Canvas updates collaborate workspace. Now you can collaborate on a document and conference with other contributors without leaving the Smart Canvas. Read more about it here. https://blog.google/products/workspace/google-workspace-features/

Collaborative Networked Learning (CNL) for MOOC's

A massive open online course (MOOC) is a type of online course, which packages content, aimed at large-scale participation and open access via  the Internet. They are one of the recent developments in e-learning in the post-information age in which open educational resources are available to all. Because of the massive scale of learners, and the likelihood of a high student-teacher ratio, MOOCs require instructional design that facilitates large-scale feedback and interaction. There are two basic approaches:

• Crowd-sourced interaction and feedback by leveraging the MOOC network, e.g. for peer-review, group collaboration
• Automated feedback through objective, online assessments, e.g. quizzes and exams

 I would like to expand upon two methods by sharing my observations regarding Collaborative Networked Learning (CNL) to encourage CNL as the design of MOOC’s evolve. Yes, there is crowd-sourced interaction among the large group of participants in the different MOOC’s which are organized around particular topics, but more interesting for me are the smaller, self-organized learning groups which are forming online. Recent reports indicate that outside the formal structure of the MOOC”S self-directed groups are forming for collaborative learning. The learners in these “breakout” groups are utilizing and applying the basic concepts of Collaborative Networked Learning in order to connect with one another around a particular challenge. Collaborative Networked Learning (CNL) involves utilization of induction, synthesis, and dialog more often than deduction, analysis, and one way information transmission. I would suggest that CNL could be encouraged as a part of all MOOC’s worldwide. In essence, MOOCS would provide the content for the learners which enable what is being called a “flipped classroom” where the actual interaction and forming of connections among ideas occurs after the lecture content is distributed to the masses in Massive Open Online Courses. It is important to build CNL into the overall structure of MOOC’s, and, encourage the learning which can occur through real collaboration among the emerging DIY learners around the world in post-information age learning environments.

The Value of Virtual Reputation - Chief Learning Officer, Solutions for Enterprise Productivity

 Who do you trust?  And, how does one establish credibility among those engaged in collaborative learning work.  Here is a brief discussion of the challenge to create personal value in the space of "virtual reputation."



The Value of Virtual Reputation - Chief Learning Officer, Solutions for Enterprise Productivity

Applications Need ( or will soon be expected to have ) Collaboration at Core

In Apps Need Collaboration At Core,Kurt Marko (kmarko@nwc.com) reviews a trend that is emerging which is and will continue to reshape apps entering the market. Marko states: Collaboration isn't a distinct activity anymore. It's an integral feature that people will soon expect from every application. Note that opportunity for conversation are being integrated in to applications rather than one having to leave an application to share, discussion or comment while one works. One example of a new strategy is Note that opportunity for conversation is being integrated in to applications rather than one having to leave an application to share, discuss or comment while one works. Marko calls out one example of the new trend with Mindjet Connect, a SaaS version of the mind-mapping application MindManager. Mindjet Connect takes what was once a solitary activity at a desktop or smartphone App and puts it into the cloud to make it collaborative. As embedded collaboration becomes the norm how will one address the invite and user login challenges without some form of open id strategy?

Fostering High Value Collaboration

“Fostering high value collaboration” by Accenture, a featured article in Korean Times, provides a comprehensive summary of different motivations for collaboration, when different collaborative learning work groups might evolve in an organizational setting and how to foster such collaboration in the organization.

The Remarkable Story of How Klout Got Started [VIDEO]

Who do you trust? Who do you look to when you want to establish a collaborative networked learning team--the others who are influencers, who might have fundamental knowledge relevant to the goals of the team. Klout continues to evolve.

The Remarkable Story of How Klout Got Started [VIDEO]

LotusLive Engage

LotusLive Meetings and Web Conferencing offers users a security-rich environment which can be used to facilitate collaborate networked learning (CNL) with colleagues or customers from around the globe, all from your desktop. Some of the features which are critical to supporting groups engaging in on-line collaborative learning include:
• File sharing – allows users to access stored data to think, learn and apply information to tasks, both efficiently and effectively.
• Integrated live instant messaging – facilitates transactional communication with other users collaborating on the same project.
• Surveys and polling – offers users opportunity for communicational feedback by surveying or polling the audience for live-direct feedback. Once participants respond, you can share the results with the group live and also have a summary e-mailed to you and the participants. Polls can also be saved for future meetings.
• Video conferencing – users can use this feature to share ideas and compare conceptual linkages.
• Roster functionality – provides ability to roll call attendees, pass meeting control to other participants and to take manage questions from the roster.
• Mobile Meetings option – join meetings live from your mobile communication device, leverage your networks by sharing contacts with other participants, and share your files by accessing remotely and collaborating with other users.


LotusLive Symphony Key Features:
- Collaborative, real time document work that automatically updates any changes made to all participants’ work.
- Live Comments- instant message style communication system built into side tab of program.
- Supports work on multiple types of documents from Symphony’s own documentation programs to Microsoft Office suite.
- Sections allow work to be broken up into pieces that are easily managed.
- Individual work can be done privately or in the open for other group members to see and comment on.
- Sections of work can be easily assigned to group members and members can easily be added or dropped from Section groups.

LotusLive Symphony is a powerful online collaboration tool that allows multiple users to work, simultaneously, on a document or project. Individuals from different locations meet online, through LotusLive’s Symphony application, and can work collectively on a document, such as a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation or a spreadsheet, in real time. Real time means that any document changes made by a participant are automatically updated and appear on all other participant’s document copy.
Interpersonal communication is also readily available through Symphony’s Live Comments. Live Comments is an instant message style communication tool that is integrated into LotusLive Symphony and allows for steady communication between individuals as they work collectively on a document. The comments are organized and searchable in a toolbar on the left side of the programs main screen. Video conferencing is also integrated into the LotusLive suite and can be used in conjunction with Symphony for more in depth communication.
LotusLive Symphony allows individuals to easily collaborate on a project online while also supplying tools that foster constant communication and feedback through Live Comments and video conferencing. The open communication and real time document updates allows individuals to openly express any ideas by presenting them visually to all other participants in the group. Additional documents can easily be uploaded and shared among the group. These new ideas can then be discussed and collectively worked on by the other members of the group. In addition to live updates of any work done to a document in Symphony, individuals can also choose to work privately on the document and upload their work when they are comfortable. Working privately can be an effective tool because everyone has a different creative process and many people are not comfortable revealing every step of their process. However, even when working privately on the document, the individual can still communicate with the group and can upload any changes made to see if they are in line with the rest of the group’s work.
LotusLive Symphony also allows a group to break up project work into pieces called “Sections.” These Sections can be assigned to individuals, single or multiple, and partners can easily be added or dropped from a Section as needed. Also, participants are free to help people in other Sections as needed simply by using Live Comments or by viewing the progress of this Section and joining in if needed.

Link:
http://www.lotuslive.com/en/services/meetings

Demo:
http://www.lotuslive.com/en/videos/index.php?id=engage_demo




Collaborative Network Group: Dan Pitre / Gerry Glennon / Anthony Ferretti.