Thing 14:

Collaboration tools

As part of our 23 things this week we look at collaboration tools. A collaboration tool is something that helps people to collaborate. Anything that can help to solve tasks in a group more easily can be seen as a collaborative tool.

I can see that collaboration tools can be used in 2 ways. Tools that can help you connect with other people as well as a tool that helps you work with other people.

There seems to be a number of such tools out there. We have been asked to take a look at 2 such collaboration tools that are out there in the cyber world.

One such tool that I have used briefly once before was Skype…..

Skype is a great way of connecting with others as well as staying in touch with friends and/or family who live interstate or overseas. One big positive with Skype is that a lot of the content is “Free” Now who doesn’t love things that are free in life J  Skype is a software application that allows us the user to make voice calls over the internet. Skype is very simple to use. It is free to download and it’s also free to use with anyone else that has Skype on their computer. An added feature with Skype is the ability to make regular business and house phone numbers as well as mobile phones too. The prices Skype charges for these calls are very comparable.

For the United States and the United Kingdom it is a$1.49/month. There are other added options such as Skype subscriptions which allow for added extras as well as purchasing Skype credit. With Skype credit you can SMS as well as using Wi-Fi areas

From my limited experience with Skype I found it easy to follow and simple to use. There is a fantastic Help page when browsing on the Skype page itself. It lists things such as

·         Top FAQ’s

·         FAQ’s by topic

·         Simple to understand user guides on such things as  calling someone who is already on Skype, calling landlines and mobile numbers as well as help with adding contact details.

I think Skype could be another great tool for collaborating in a group scenario. For staff that are interstate or work on other campuses the use of Skype could be a tool that could be incorporated into our day to day tasks. Skype allows group video calls for up to 25 people. If staff were all to add Skype to their computers then making group calls would be absolutely free.

The other collaboration tool I examined was called “anymeeting”. This tool was completely new to me. I had never used such a tool like this before. But after reading up on it I can say it is a great site and I could see the possibilities of using such a program in our working environment. There no longer has to be issues when it comes to staff having to be in the same room to do group work. You can be based anywhere and still have the same access as to someone in another country. The ability to be virtual is a wonderful thing.

One site ed.hub.com gave this application tool 9 out of 10.

http://theedhub.com/Software-detail/anymeeting

So what is “anymeeting”?  This is a collaboration tool that allows users to host webinars, online meetings and web conferences. The good thing about this particular tool is that it is free. Anymeeting can offer its services at no cost to users and makes this for an ideal product for small businesses that could benefit from hosting webinars, but may not have the large budget for a paid for tool.

The positives of anymeeting are large.

Below is what services this tool can offer their users –

·         Ability to hold large or small meetings with up to 200 people attending

·         Share your screen.

·         6 way video conferencing – the ability to use your own webcam as well as having up to 6 people at a time video conferencing simultaneously

·         To show your videos live and have full control over the playback.

·         With an account you will receive your own conference call number and Pin codes that will help enhance the meeting.

·         The ability to present power slides as well as to record the meetings itself. Just by clicking on the record button it allows you to record the meeting for playback later.

·         This tool allows you to enter the emails of your participants and they in turn will be sent a link to join your meeting. Added information given is the time, date and instructions on how to join.

 

Another positive extra for anymeeting is having the added option of Facebook and twitter integration. This while allow you to use social media when promoting your meetings.

A big plus for this tool I have discovered is that it can be a great resource for any work team that needs a convenient way to host meetings or webinars. The option of having free access is especially appealing for people that need to meet regularly with clients and/or co-workers. The application seems easy to use and can handle different types of communication. What I love especially is that the user of “anymeeting” can control all aspects of the meeting from inviting participants to recording the event and even sharing content with absent members. I could see this being easily adapted in my own workplace.