The document discusses various collaboration tools available in the VLE including blogs, wikis, and journals. It provides information on how each tool can be used, whether content is visible to all students or private, and how contributions can be assessed or include multimedia. The document recommends considering the purpose of the communication and giving students clear instructions on using the different collaboration tools available in the VLE.

1. The VLE @ GSA:
collaboration tools

2. Today’s session:
 Overview
 Course tools
 Blogs
 Wikis
 Journals
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3. Course Tools
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4. Blogs and journals...
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 Blog - visible to all students. All students can post and
see each others posts.
 Journal - private to all students, all students can post.
Students only see their own posts
 Group blog - visible to all students, members of the group
can post. Students not in the group can see it.
 Group journal - visible to members of the
group, members of the group can post. Students not in
the group can NOT see it.

5. Blogs
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 Create in Control Panel, then Create Tool Link in course
menu.
 Can be individual (per student) or for the course
(instructor only).
 Can be assessed.
 Options to include multimedia.
 Students can comment on content.
 Previous content is accessible.
 Content created in current week/ month will be displayed
first.
 Unread content flagged up (bold, pin).

6. Blogs
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7. Wikis
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 Contributions can be assessed.
 Collaboration in one area.
 Options to include multimedia.
 ‘Live’ content.
 When creating, can permit students write access.
 Can view history of contributions.

8. Wikis
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9. Versions and contributions
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10. Journals
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 Contributions can be assessed.
 Collaboration in one area.
 Options to include multimedia.
 ‘Live’ content.
 When creating, can permit students write access.
 Can view history of contributions.

11. Journals
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12. Summary
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 Lots of different ways to collaborate/ communicate in the
VLE – consider which one may work best for you.
 Think about what the purpose of the communication will
be – is it informal? Assessed? What media will you use?
 Give students clear instructions and make the purpose of
your use of the collaboration tool obvious.
 Lots of resources in VLE Help course or please contact
me: v.boyd@gsa.ac.uk

13. The VLE @ GSA:
collaboration tools