Stormboard

Hello, colleagues,
Hope you are doing fine.
Today, I am going to talk introduce a very useful online collaboration tool to you and share about some instructions to use it.

We may use different online collaboration tools, some of which can be found in the following links

·         https://stormboard.com

·         http://www.tricider.com/home

·         https://vialogues.com/

·         https://voicethread.com/

·         https://padlet.com/

·         https://www.zoho.com/docs/writer.html

My personal opinion for using the tool

We practiced different online collaboration tools today. We did it through an exploring activity and believe me it was amazing! We explored how these tools can be used to develop the writing skill of students. Two or more students can contribute to writing a complete piece of text at the same time. So, this can be a new addition to our knowledge and skill learning how to use these tools. That is why today I would like to share such an online collaborative tool which is called "Stormboard."

 
Would you like to see what kind of tool is this?

Go to the website: https://stormboard.com


Stormboard is a coordinated collaboration tool involves students in brainstorming on a topic and sharing ideas. By creating an account, we can create a collaboration platform and invite your colleagues or students  to participate in or join a stormboard created by someone else.

You have to enter your email address when you reach this skin and sign up. It is a free tool.

When you reach the above screen, you can either create a stormboard or join a stormboard already created. If you click on ‘create a stormboard’, you will be asked to give a name for your storm.

When creating a new stormboard, select a template from different types of it like just blank one, calendar, problem solving one, etc. In order to do that, you have to go to the template menu at the bottom of the page.

The sticky note type is most appropriate for our project characteristics. We can text, draw, vote, make comments on it and even upload files, images and videos in on sticky note. Hopefully this will be very enjoyable to the students.

On the top right hand corner of the screen you will see ‘chat’. If you click ‘chat’, you will have a space for comment. You can communicate with your partners with the help of this comment box.

You have to double click on the screen, if you want start a new idea. You have to type and press enter to share it with others. To start a new paragraph, you have to press ‘shift+enter’. There is scope to vote to others opinion on this sticky note pad. 

After you finish the writing, you can share it wherever you want by clicking share at the bottom of the page.

EFL or ESL has a strong theoretical background of using social interaction for co-constructing the knowledge. Vygotsky ZPD can be achieved by peer support. L2 learner may co-construct their knowledge and skills of writing with the help of others. Teachers and peers can scaffold for the improvement of writing. This is a great platform for exchanging ideas and feedback.

Online collaboration tools can go a long way to teach the language skills. Hope you will enjoy these tools.

With regards
Urmila