Tools to Communicate and Collaborate

Response to Tools to Communicate and Collaborate
Stan and I collaborated on a parks project using Google Docs.  I could use this as a homework assignment after introducing it in class.  Since many of the core teachers use this in my school, students would be familiar with this. This would build community a group at a time-which I'm always looking for.  I like the immediate feedback and students helping each other-brainstorming.  What's nice is that they can correct each other and students can see this teaching each other.  They can also come back to this later after doing research.  There seems to be flexibility in that tables, links, and presentations can be used.  I also like it because it is fun.  One cumbersome part was the way the picture was inserted into the document.  We had to drag the picture from the internet to our desktop and them drag that to the insert popup window and save.  We also had to click a prompt "fix..." to move the picture around not just click the picture and drag.
We did wonder if there is a way to color code each persons contribution as the document is being produced.  We each took a different color as we typed but this had to be selected each time we typed otherwise the last color selected would continue on with anyone else typing.
Another odd thing was when we inserted a link.  We named it and attached the URL.  But when we clicked on the name it showed the URL; and, then we clicked on that to go to the website.