Resources Outside Blackboard
You might also want to explore the following tools that live outside of Blackboard. These tools enable you to quickly and conveniently chat and collaborate with your group members.
Communicating with your group
- Google Hangouts
Is a communication platform that allows individuals to send and receive instant messages, video chats, SMS’s, and VOIPs with other members who have google accounts.
- Skype
Is a free video conferencing application that allows you to connect with anyone who has a Microsoft account; anywhere and at any time. The free version of skype allows individual who have created a Microsoft username to connect with up to 9 additional individuals at one time. Students without webcams can still participate during meetings through group chats or by solely utilizing a microphone.
- Kik
Is an instant messaging application for mobile devices that allows you to communicate with other Kik members. This application does not require members to share personal information outside of a personally generated username. Members can share photos, videos, sketches, and webpages with other group members.
- WhatsApp
Is a free mobile messaging app that allows you to connect with any individual who also has WhatsApp. WhatApp members can send and receive phone calls, instant messages, images, videos, audio files, location information, and contact information. WhatApp does not use mobile device cellular network, rather information is transferred through mobiles devices internet connection.
- GroupMe
Is a free group-text messaging application for mobile devices. GroupMe makes sending group text messages seamless and more effective.
Scheduling/Seeing when everyone’s free to work together
- Doodle
Is an online scheduling tool that allows individuals to synchronize availabilities in a simple format. Through a basic calendar layout invited member can propose times, schedule events, and invite additional participants. Doodle integrates all this information for you and presents the group leader with the option that works best for everyone’s schedule.
Collaborating on documents together
- Google Docs
Is a free Web-based application that allows approved members to create, edit, and store documents and spreadsheets. Group members can work on the same document at the same time and asynchronously without having to be in the same country. Files can be accessed from any computer with an Internet connection and a full-featured Web browser.
- Facebook
Is a robust social networking site students can use to disseminate articles, videos, and messages with other facebook members. Facebook houses its own video chat and instant messaging features along with email integrations, so that group members can receive email notifications concerning all group activity and postings.
- Dropbox
is a file sharing and collaboration software. Anything you add to Dropbox will automatically show up on all your computers, phones and even the Dropbox website — so you can access your stuff from anywhere. Dropbox also makes it easy to share with others.