In examining Web 2.o tools I found that I was able to utilize technology to engage my students, increase their participation, and assist them with their study skills and overall success in my class. One site that I found of particular interest was ShowDocument Web Meeting and Document Sharing. The site address is http://www.showdocument.com/ds/main.jsf. The site is very similar to Google Docs in that members of a group can upload documents, edit them, and even work simultaneously on the document at hand. This was a site that I plan to use with my own students.
During the Spring semester my students will be conducting research and much of the research will be done outside of class. After viewing this site I thought what a great idea it would be if my students use either ShowDocument or Google Docs to work collaboratively on the assignment. Students could add content to the document, edit their work by sharing a browser. They would be able to sit, in their own homes, and develop their outline, share research, notes, and ideas for their research. Google Docs would require that they assign one team member to make the final editing and submit work. With ShowDocument the process would be the same in that one individual would wait for final approval from team members and then submit.
The ability to check on participation would be a bonus for me, as a teacher. The ability to submit the work online would also avoid the excuses from students that one student didn't submit their portion of the work or that team member is absent. With the ShowDocument tool I could grade them on their progress and comment on their work.
The use of ShowDocument could also eliminate the issue of finding time to work together. As most students, myself included, it is sometimes easier to work from home via the Internet.
Students would be able to share the url, simultaneously work on a whiteboard, integrate google maps, edit their text, and share their work on YouTube.
Great!
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