Collaborative Space

Collaborative working space refers to web-based applications and services that allow asynchronous communication and collaboration regardless of distance and, with some limitations, also time. There is lots of eLearning environments that have some variation with their structure, interface and/or tools.

Many of collaborative spaces are closed systems, so you need at least a username and a password (or client = piece of software to be installed to your computer). There are also spaces that have public areas, e.g. to have general discussion but discussion for members is password protecded.

Some of the spaces, tools allow you not just to collaborate but also to publish your work on Internet.

Most of available collaborative spaces have basic elements

It's quite common that the following elements are included in collaborative (working) space:

• communication tools (e-mail inside; discussion forums; bulletin board)
• sharing documents and other resources
• open or restricted websites for processing and publishing documents.

[More info: SIG 3 website; available later]

How to use collaborative space?

Communication is essential in project management and in educational work. If you just start to use electronical tools in your project work, follow the 'KIS rule' = Keep It Simple. Take at first only one or two tools and small steps in using them. When communication goes well, it's time to prepare to take another tool or communication method into project work. If you and the rest of participants in your project are familiar with some communication methods, choose another one and get some training and support in using it.

In project management the following examples are to illustrate how to use collaboration space (there is certainly overlapping areas):

• use bulleting board to inform
• use forum to discuss by subject matter: provide clear structure with titles
• use inside e-mails to discuss in private to share opinions, to support
• use chat room to brainstorm, innovate, to share opinions
• use document sharing to create, present and process (e.g. dissmination material, evaluating)
• use web-publishing to present e.g. the final products of project.

In educational use collaboration space usage is quite the same:

• use bulletin board to orientation, to give assignments, to inform
• use forum to discuss by subject matter: provide clear structure with titles (participants have more time to make their stataments than in chatting)
• use environment e-mails to discuss in private, to support and give feedback
• use chat room to brainstorm, innovate, to share opinions, to discuss with expert or author
• use document sharing to create, present and process (e.g. dissmination material, evaluating)
• use web-publishing to create and present e.g. the finished student works.

We want one, what to do next?

It depends on many things how you will proceed. Some countries, local areas and other agencies provide certain software and tools.

Comp@ct network offers by partner institutes to limited number of Comenius schools tools to collaborate. Our aim is not just to give you the tools but also the training and pedagogical methods with examples how they have been used succesfully.

[See Collaborative Working Space, SIG 3]

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