Tech2Go

The tagline “Really Realtime” implies that we need a solution for collaboration with text that doesn’t require accounts, or prearranged access to shared docs. I agree, and EtherPad.com seems to be a great solution. Dr. Kristen Kozloski, a colleague, found the site to meet a need for a professional learning session we’re getting ready to lead together. I don’t see this resources as a competitor to Google Docs, but as a complimentary strategy when quick, universal access to text-sharing is required. It has great possibilities for the classroom.

We plan to use the tool in a web 2.0 session for middle school teachers. EtherPad will allow us to collect a few words of reflection from every staff member in a few minutes near the end of the session. The combined text from the collaboratively written reflection will be transformed into a visual context using Wordle and we’ll display the collective thinking in a very powerful and compelling way.