Student eLearning Tools

There are a lot of free and online tools that can help you with writing papers, time management, creating diagrams, audio and video conferencing, and collaborating with others.

Visual Tools

To manage graphics to support your work, you can create drawings or store images using these tools.

• Gliffy – create flowcharts, diagrams and technical drawings.
• Flickr – upload images with limit options so only group members can see.
• Bubbl.us – lets you brainstorm online using visual mind maps.
• Google Docs – allows you to draw diagrams as a group.
• EditGrid – create and share spreadsheets.

Communication Tools

When you can’t meet face-to-face with your group, using any of these tools will allow you to speak in realtime with other group members easily.

• Blackboard – your instructor may set up a secure discussion area for your group to work in.
• Skype – allows you to audio conference with others for free using your computer.
  • Using Skype tutorial from University of Minnesota.
• Google Voice – similar to Skype, it runs through your Gmail account.
• Wiggio – lets you communicate using group email, texting and voice messages, and run conference calls and a chatroom.

Writing Tools

Working on one document allows all members to see the progression of the project and what still needs to be done. Depending on the assignment you have, these tools can be used to build websites, write Word-style documents, or just have a collaborative document for everyone to access and update.

• Wikis – allows multiple users to add content to a single web-based document.
  • WikiSpaces
  • WikiDot
  • Zoho Wiki
  • DokuWiki
• Gobby – allows multiple users to edit a text document at the same time, shown by different colours for each person.
• Google Docs – share Word-style documents, Powerpoint-style presentations, spreadsheets, and more with anyone who has a Gmail account.
  • Introducing a new Google Docs tutorial
• Google Sites – create websites easily and allow changes by whomever you add.
• Zoho Writer – a word processing site that gives template options and ability edit them with others in real time.
• del.icio.us – allows you to share weblinks and describe with tags.
• SocialText – realtime editing for word proccessed documents.
• WriteBoard – tracks changes made to web-based documents and allows you to roll back to previous changes.

To learn more about how to work with others, see the Group Work guide.

Other Free or Open Source Tools for Students

JIBC requires that students use technology appropriately.  What this means is that there are basic, commonsense rules that govern while using JIBC equipment and systems.

Some simple rules are:

• don't download or distribute offensive content
• don't use your class contact lists to spam
• don't download movies
• don't engage in illegal activity on our systems

For your own safety (and potential reputation) you should also be aware of your digital presence when online.

 When used correctly, your online presence can be used in a positive way, allowing you to showcase:

• Who you are
• What you’re up to
• Your computer and internet skills, or become better at them
• Your online community (who you associate with)
• And more!

Online identities and networks are becoming more and more common, and for certain jobs, employers can even come to expect that you too will be apart of it. A well-done, updated, and thoughtful blog or webspace can really showcase your skills; however, a word of caution must be given with this fun and new way to communicate.

As social networks become increasingly popular, it’s becoming more common for students start their online presence earlier. Students, however, are not considering what kind of effect the information they share today might have on them and their life tomorrow. You have to remember that whatever you put online stays online. Your digital tattoo is much like an ink tattoo… once it’s out there it can be difficult and painful to remove.

 Before you post information online ask yourself…

• Would I still post it if it was on a public bulletin board on campus?
• If it were published in the paper?
• If someone passed the info or photo on to my parents?
• If I knew a potential employer might see it?, my professors?, Campus Police?
• Would I engage an unknown person in conversation if we were two strangers sitting on the bus together?

Your digital tattoo can be like a bad conversation that NEVER goes away.  Be aware of your digital footprint and learn more at the UBC  Digital Tattoo Tutorial  created in collaboration with UBC students.