Collaborative+Online+Classroom

These websites can serve as a connection hub for your classroom. They are designed to have multiple users interact through text and in some cases video.

= Video Based Collaborative Environments  = The below sites are designed primarily around hosting video and other multimedia. Text and community tools may be available but are not the focus of the sites.

media type="youtube" key="oJPwM4SppbA" height="315" width="420" active community director, limited privacy settings || use a webcam to record directly to the website. Content can be tagged with key words and commented on or featured. Users can also be followed, highlighting their contributions || student work or treat it as a turn-in box. ||
 * Klablab **
 * Website: || [|http://www.klablab.com] ||
 * Distribution: || In browser ||
 * Anonymous User: || View published content ||
 * Logged-in User: || Upload content, post comments and create communities ||
 * Email Use: || Required for log-in account creation ||
 * Paid Option: || N/A ||
 * Comparison: || Allows for upload and broadcast for a wide variety of media,
 * Comparison: || Allows for upload and broadcast for a wide variety of media,
 * Description: || User can upload video, audio, documents and presentations or
 * Uses: || User could create a community specific to a class and upload

media type="custom" key="12948258" administrator, little to no advertising, not too easy to find content without specific search terms, pre-set comments || Users can leave pre-written comments on videos. || treat the site as an online video portfolio ||
 * School Tube **
 * Website: || [] ||
 * Distribution: || In browser ||
 * Anonymous User: || View published content ||
 * Logged-in User: || Upload and comment on content ||
 * Email Use: || Required for log-in account creation ||
 * Paid Option: || N/A ||
 * Comparison: || All content must be approved by school level or site level
 * Comparison: || All content must be approved by school level or site level
 * Description: || User can upload video. Videos can be tagged with key words.
 * Uses: || User could create an assignment that is turned in online or

media type="custom" key="12948546" flexible privacy settings and group building, many ads, significant amounts of spam in comments and uploads || Content can be tagged with key words and commented on or featured.Users can also create groups where multiple users can upload specific content. || student work or treat it as a turn-in box. ||
 * Teacher Tube **
 * Website: || [] ||
 * Distribution: || In browser, flash plug-in required ||
 * Anonymous User: || View published content ||
 * Logged-in User: || Upload and comment on content, create groups ||
 * Email Use: || Required for log-in account creation ||
 * Paid Option: || N/A ||
 * Comparison: || Allows a variety of content to be uploaded, large community,
 * Comparison: || Allows a variety of content to be uploaded, large community,
 * Description: || User can upload video, audio, documents and presentations.
 * Uses: || User could create a group specific to a class and upload

media type="youtube" key="ai5sRJ2s40I" height="315" width="560" accessible, can automatically create a screen recording, not designed for works in progress || use a webcam to record directly to the website. Content is organized by subject in packets, which can be edited and commented on by other users. Users can also create groups where multiple users can learn about or create packets. || self teach based on the subject area packets, as well as add to packets where appropriate. || =Static Text Based Collaborative Environments= These sites are designed to be static pages which are edited by one user at a time and encourage interaction asynchronously through comments.
 * Sophia.org **
 * Website: || [] ||
 * Distribution: || In browser ||
 * Anonymous User: || View published content ||
 * Logged-in User: || Upload and comment on content, create groups ||
 * Email Use: || Required for log-in account creation ||
 * Paid Option: || N/A ||
 * Comparison: || Very easy to use, streamlined, Highest quality content easily
 * Comparison: || Very easy to use, streamlined, Highest quality content easily
 * Description: || User can upload video, audio, documents and presentations or
 * Uses: || User could create a group specific to a class and have students

create student accounts without email addresses) || editing, limited customization options, only top-level page creation || and personal multimedia. User can change theme and enable comments as well as determine site accessability on a per user basis || different subjects or units or use it as a digital assignment turn-in center ||
 * Wikispaces **
 * Example Wikispace: [This website is a Wikispace] **
 * Website: || http://www.wikispaces.com ||
 * Distribution: || In browser ||
 * Anonymous User: || View published wikispace, edit public wikispaces ||
 * Logged-in User: || Create and edit personal wikispaces (Education accounts can
 * Logged-in User: || Create and edit personal wikispaces (Education accounts can
 * Email Use: || Required for regular log-in account creation ||
 * Paid Option: || Additional storage and upload limits ||
 * Comparison: || Straight forward editing interface, preview of edited site while
 * Description: || User can create a website and populate the page with online
 * Uses: || User could create a classroom website with a sub-page for

accounts without email addresses) || editing, pre-made classroom template available || and personal multimedia. User can change theme and enable comments as well as determine site accessability on a per user basis || different subjects or units or use it as a digital assignment turn-in center ||
 * PBworks **
 * Example PBworks space: **[]
 * Website: || [|http://pbworks.com] ||
 * Distribution: || In browser ||
 * Anonymous User: || View published websites ||
 * Logged-in User: || Edit, create websites (Education accounts can create student
 * Logged-in User: || Edit, create websites (Education accounts can create student
 * Email Use: || Required for regular log-in account creation ||
 * Paid Option: || Additional storage, faster tech support ||
 * Comparison: || Similar tools and layout to wikispaces, preview of site while
 * Description: || User can create a website and populate the page with online
 * Uses: || User could create a classroom website with a sub-page for

account if no email address exists) || limited site layout options, embedding flash can be difficult || and personal multimedia. User can change theme and enable comments as well as determine site accessability on a per user basis || different subjects or units or use it as a digital assignment turn-in center ||
 * Google Sites **
 * Example Google Site: **@http://sites.google.com/site/uconnsamplewebquest
 * Website: || [] ||
 * Distribution: || In browser ||
 * Anonymous User: || View published website ||
 * Logged-in User: || Create, edit and publish websites ||
 * Email Use: || Required for log-in account (allows users to make a gmail
 * Email Use: || Required for log-in account (allows users to make a gmail
 * Paid Option: || N/A ||
 * Comparison: || Very easy to use, flexible tools for uploading multimedia,
 * Description: || User can create a website and populate the page with online
 * Uses: || User could create a classroom website with a sub-page for

Once bought, 150 users can edit the site for free. || network interactions such as "likes" and replies structural to site, can be difficult to navigate as an editor. || and personal multimedia. User can change theme and enable comments as well as determine site accessability on a per user basis || different subjects or units or use it as a digital assignment turn-in center ||
 * Ning **
 * Example Ning: **@http://www.classroom20.com/
 * Website: || [] ||
 * Distribution: || In browser ||
 * Anonymous User: || View published website ||
 * Logged-in User: || Edit website ||
 * Email Use: || Required for log-in account creation ||
 * Paid Option: || Required for site creation and upkeep (but free for educators).
 * Paid Option: || Required for site creation and upkeep (but free for educators).
 * Comparison: || Users given personal page in addition to editing pages, social
 * Description: || User can create a website and populate the page with online
 * Uses: || User could create a classroom website with a sub-page for

require an email address) || specifically for classroom use with pre-made "students" and "assignments" tabs || and personal multimedia. User can enable comments as well as determine site accessability on a per user basis || different subjects or units or use it as a digital assignment turn-in center ||
 * Edmodo **
 * Example Edmodo: **@http://www.edmodo.com/publisher?uid=1118481
 * Website: || [|http://www.edmodo.com] ||
 * Distribution: || In browser ||
 * Anonymous User: || View public sections of a class webspace ||
 * Logged-in User: || View, edit and create a class webspace ||
 * Email Use: || Required for teacher log-in account (student account does not
 * Email Use: || Required for teacher log-in account (student account does not
 * Paid Option: || N/A ||
 * Comparison: || Similar layout to Facebook, strong privacy settings, designed
 * Description: || User can create a website and populate the page with online
 * Uses: || User could create a classroom website with a sub-page for

navigate as similar sites || and personal multimedia. User can enable comments as well as determine site accessability on a per user basis || different subjects or units or use it as a digital assignment turn-in center ||
 * Diipo **
 * Website: || [] ||
 * Distribution: || In browser ||
 * Anonymous User: || View log-in page only ||
 * Logged-in User: || View, comment on and create a Diipo ||
 * Email Use: || Required for log-in account creation ||
 * Paid Option: || N/A ||
 * Comparison: || Styled around a private collaborative space, not as easy to
 * Comparison: || Styled around a private collaborative space, not as easy to
 * Description: || User can create a website and populate the page with online
 * Uses: || User could create a classroom website with a sub-page for

personal information for account creation, designed specifically for classroom type interactions || and personal multimedia. User can change theme and enable comments as well as determine site accessability on a per user basis || different subjects or units or use it as a digital assignment turn-in center ||
 * Collaborize Classroom **
 * Website: || [] ||
 * Distribution: || In browser ||
 * Anonymous User: || View the log-in page ||
 * Logged-in User: || View, comment on and create a classroom page ||
 * Email Use: || Required for log-in account creation ||
 * Paid Option: || N/A ||
 * Comparison: || Strict privacy and visibility settings, required excessive
 * Comparison: || Strict privacy and visibility settings, required excessive
 * Description: || User can create a website and populate the page with online
 * Uses: || User could create a classroom website with a sub-page for

and personal multimedia. User can change theme and enable comments as well as determine site accessability on a per user basis || different subjects or units or use it as a digital assignment turn-in center ||
 * Enter The Group **
 * Website: || [] ||
 * Distribution: || In browser ||
 * Anonymous User: || View the log-in page ||
 * Logged-in User: || View, comment on, and create a classroom page ||
 * Email Use: || Required for log-in account creation ||
 * Paid Option: || N/A ||
 * Comparison: || Very easy to use, clear privacy settings, limited layout options ||
 * Description: || User can create a website and populate the page with online
 * Description: || User can create a website and populate the page with online
 * Uses: || User could create a classroom website with a sub-page for

extended functionalities available with plug-ins, no easy way to preview site changes while editing site || and personal multimedia. User can change theme and enable comments as well as determine site accessability on a per user basis || different subjects or units or use it as a digital assignment turn-in center ||
 * Class Blog **
 * Example Class Blog: **[]
 * Website: || [] ||
 * Distribution: || In browser ||
 * Anonymous User: || View published website ||
 * Logged-in User: || Create, edit, and view website ||
 * Email Use: || Required for log-in account creation ||
 * Paid Option: || N/A ||
 * Comparison: || More difficult initally learn unless experienced with wordpress,
 * Comparison: || More difficult initally learn unless experienced with wordpress,
 * Description: || User can create a website and populate the page with online
 * Uses: || User could create a classroom website with a sub-page for

site as it is being editied), limited customization || and personal multimedia. User can change theme and enable comments as well as determine site accessability on a per user basis || different subjects or units or use it as a digital assignment turn-in center || = = =Dynamic Text Based Collaborative Environments= These sites are designed to allow multiple users commenting at once, similar to a chat room.
 * EduBlog **
 * Example EduBlog: **[]
 * Website: || [] ||
 * Distribution: || In browser ||
 * Anonymous User: || View published website ||
 * Logged-in User: || Create, edit, and view website ||
 * Email Use: || Required for password reset (not account creation) ||
 * Paid Option: || Embedding video, additional storage, creating student accounts ||
 * Comparison: || "Easy mode" for new users, wordpress style tools (can't view
 * Comparison: || "Easy mode" for new users, wordpress style tools (can't view
 * Description: || User can create a website and populate the page with online
 * Uses: || User could create a classroom website with a sub-page for

media type="custom" key="12953948" account if no email address exists) || .xls, etc), strong privacy settings, home screen can be difficult to sort, not designed as a public webspace (published pages given a long string URL). || and personal multimedia. User can create shared folders on the home screen to allow other users to "hand in" assignments. Multiple users can add to the page simultaneously. The page can be published to the web and function as a website || associated with different subjects or units, use it as a digital assignment turn-in center or real-time class discussion page ||
 * Google Docs **
 * Website: || https://docs.google.com ||
 * Distribution: || In browser ||
 * Anonymous User: || View published pages ||
 * Logged-in User: || View, edit, and create pages and invite others to edit pages ||
 * Email Use: || Required for log-in account (allows users to make a gmail
 * Email Use: || Required for log-in account (allows users to make a gmail
 * Paid Option: || N/A ||
 * Comparison: || Very easy to use, allows uploads from Office formats (.doc, .ppt
 * Description: || User can create a document and populate the page with online
 * Uses: || User could create a classroom website with links for sub-pages

media type="custom" key="12953978" uploads from text formats (.doc, .rtf, etc. formatting not always preserved), limited general formatting options, limited privacy settings || links. Multiple users can add to the page simultaneously. The page can be published to the public and function as a website || associated with different subjects or units, use it as a digital assignment turn-in center or real-time class discussion page ||
 * Etherpad **
 * Website: || [] ||
 * Distribution: || In browser ||
 * Anonymous User: || Create, edit and view etherpads ||
 * Logged-in User: || N/A ||
 * Email Use: || N/A ||
 * Paid Option: || N/A ||
 * Comparison: || Very easy to make and share, straightforward controls, allows
 * Comparison: || Very easy to make and share, straightforward controls, allows
 * Description: || User can create a document and populate the page with text and
 * Uses: || User could create a classroom website with links for sub-pages

media type="custom" key="12954190" hotmail account if no email address exists) || support || sync with skydrive, preserves formatting when Office files (.doc, .ppt, .xls etc.) are uploaded and downloaded (though not when they are edited online), manual save and sync required, web version has trouble merging changes when multiple users are editing simultaneously. || links. Multiple users can add to the page simultaneously. The page can be published to the public and function as a website || associated with different subjects or units, use it as a digital assignment turn-in center or real-time class discussion page ||
 * Windows Live Skydrive Documents (Office Web Apps) **
 * Website: || [] ||
 * Distribution: || In browser ||
 * Anonymous User: || View published skydrive files ||
 * Logged-in User: || Create, edit and publish skydrive files ||
 * Email Use: || Required for log-in account creation (allows users to make a
 * Email Use: || Required for log-in account creation (allows users to make a
 * Paid Option: || Buying Office 2010 adds additional formatting and offline
 * Comparison: || User can setup a local folder or Office 2010 to automatically
 * Description: || User can create a document and populate the page with text and
 * Uses: || User could create a classroom website with links for sub-pages

media type="custom" key="12954280" Office formats (.doc, .ppt, .xls etc.), variety of sharing settings, limited editing functionality, not designed to be a host for a website || links. Multiple users can add to the page simultaneously. The page can be published to the public and function as a website || associated with different subjects or units, use it as a digital assignment turn-in center or real-time class discussion page ||
 * Crocodoc **
 * Website: || [|http://crocodoc.com] ||
 * Distribution: || In browser ||
 * Anonymous User: || Upload and comment on documents ||
 * Logged-in User: || Upload and comment on private documents ||
 * Email Use: || Required for log-in account creation ||
 * Paid Option: || N/A ||
 * Comparison: || Very easy to create an initial page, supports upload of many
 * Comparison: || Very easy to create an initial page, supports upload of many
 * Description: || User can create a document and populate the page with text and
 * Uses: || User could create a classroom website with links for sub-pages

media type="custom" key="12954452" student accounts without email addresses) || a message board, limited formatting options, can be slow to respond || web resources that other members can read and comment on. Multiple users can add to the page simultaneously. The page can be published to the public and function as a website || associated with different subjects or units, use it as a digital assignment turn-in center ||
 * Diigo **
 * Website: || [|http://www.diigo.com] ||
 * Distribution: || In browser, toolbar plug-in optional, Download (iPhone or Android) ||
 * Anonymous User: || View published Diigo groups ||
 * Logged-in User: || Create, edit and view private Diigo groups ||
 * Email Use: || Required for regular log-in (Education packages can pre-make
 * Email Use: || Required for regular log-in (Education packages can pre-make
 * Paid Option: || Additional highlighting and support available, ad free ||
 * Comparison: || Emphasis on compiling web resources, structured similarly to
 * Description: || User can create a group and add text as well as bookmarked
 * Uses: || User could create a classroom website with links for sub-pages


 * Wallwisher **

when filled with information, can become messy easily || virtual bulletin board full of different sized text and images. Multiple users can add to the page simultaneously. The page can be published to the public and function as a website || associated with different subjects or units, use it as a digital assignment turn-in center or real-time class discussion page ||
 * Website: || [] ||
 * Distribution: || In browser, java plug-in required ||
 * Anonymous User: || View, create, and add to a public virtual bulletin board ||
 * Logged-in User: || View, create and add to a private virtual bulletin board ||
 * Email Use: || Email address required for log-in account creation ||
 * Paid Option: || N/A ||
 * Comparison: || Easy to initially create, very flexible layout, difficult to orginize
 * Comparison: || Easy to initially create, very flexible layout, difficult to orginize
 * Description: || Through clicking to add virtual sticky notes, users generate a
 * Uses: || User could create a classroom website with links for sub-pages