the encouragement lounge: Cool tools -- Collaborative workspaces -- PB Works and Huddle

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Cool tools -- Collaborative workspaces -- PB Works and Huddle

Hi All, I was searching recently for an online tool that I could use to host a collaborative workspace wherein folks working from different locations could share and edit documents, share links, schedule meetings and so on. Looks like I will end up using an internal resource at Carlow and setting up access for folks from outside of the institution. In the meantime though, I found these two tools which look promising. Unfortunately, I won't get to try them out at this point, but I wanted to share them with you.

PBWorks offers a free version for educators. PBworks hosts over 300,000 educational workspaces, and has helped transform teaching and learning for millions of students, parents and teachers. Educators ranging from major universities like DePaul, school districts like Baltimore County Public Schools and individual teachers trust PBworks as their collaborative learning environment," according to the PBWorks website. PBworks is also highly-recommended by two of my colleagues -- thanks Mary and Cory for the suggestion!

Huddle does not offer an education version, but does offer a free version that allows for one workspace. Along with document management, file sharing, and wiki capability, Huddle also offers a whiteboard function.

I am eager to try these tools when a project calls for such a space. In the meantime, if you have used these, please share your experience here at the Encouragement Lounge.

Cheering you on in your work!

Harriet

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Working adult students, on my mind...

I hope this blog will be helpful to friends and others involved in a variety of endeavors. However, I created the blog with students in mind and continue to develop it with that specific group as my focus.

I believe that with the increase in evening, weekend, and low-residency programs, students are working more and more in isolation. If we were all full-time students on campus, we would have the informal support that comes with being able to go down the hall and talk with a colleague, etc. But instead, we are working late nights and weekends at home in front of the laptop.

With that in mind, I hope the encouragement lounge provides brief moments of respite and energizing connection. This does not at all replace valuable face-to-face contact. Many aspects of the academic journey can only be addressed via in-depth conversations with colleagues and teachers. And I would always rather sit down and talk with someone than to communicate online. Nonetheless, my aim is to give you one more channel for quick hits of support.