Online productivity tools have certainly provided expanded opportunities for collaboration in a digital learning environment. I have used several tools including the Google platform, Microsoft 365, Its Learning, and now Zoho. Each one of these platforms has its own strengths, and each have weaknesses.
Google was the first productivity tool I used in my classroom. I began by using Google Presentation to allow students to collaborate in creating a slide show. The project was a success. Later, I utilized Google Classroom which was by far the best way I have found for passing out digital assignments, creating collaborative work environments, and loved that I could monitor and communicate in real time as students worked on their assignments. The use of forms was one of my favorite tools in Google. It allowed me to gather information, download data into Excel, and organize in a variety of ways depending on need.
In the last several years, my school has migrated away from Google, opting instead for Microsoft 365. This platform provides opportunity for cloud storage and a shared work environment, while better protecting student confidentiality. Although it is not as simple to use as Google classroom, I like that it offers access to specific programs such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Sway, and Forms. I also like that it is free to students and educators and downloadable on home devices, maintaining consistency across environments.
Finally, for this class, I tried Zoho. It very closely resembled Google. I used it to create a slide presentation for parent orientation on my campus. It was easy to use, offering easy formatting for an attractive document. I also experimented with the document and spreadsheet features, although I wasn't terribly impressed with either. Because my primary use for spreadsheets is in conjunction with a Microsoft Form, I could not see a great deal of value in this particular program.
Shared platforms are essential to true collaboration in this digital age of education. There are many options to be explored, allowing educators to find just the right one for each educational situation. Based on the needs of my students, Microsoft provides the most consistent, confidential platform for collaborative projects.
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