Need a suitable digital tool for a virtual exchange your students will participate in? How do you go about selecting one? 🛠🌎🤝
Once you have found a partner to set up a collaborative online international learning #COIL experience and have had initial discussions (on goals, schedules, participants, content, types of participation, activities, timeline, etc.) to make sure the collaboration is beneficial for each group, you can now discuss tools. 🛠 Which tool could facilitate or enhance the #learning ? Which one would be most suitable under the given conditions? Which one could help students from both groups connect in a meaningful way?
It is essential to start by understanding what type of tool you need. See the image below for 8 TOOL TYPES and recommendations.
Here are 4 TIPS you may find useful:
1. You need to feel comfortable with the tool you choose.
2. Focus on the pedagogical goals and the conditions you have, and evaluate the different options for the type of tool you need, and see which one would be most suitable.
3. Look into the affordances (what it allows you to do) and the constraints (the limitations) of each tool. For example, for #mindmap the suggested option is Cacoo by Nulab. I personally like it as it allows for visibility of all maps being designed by each group and therefore contributes to the building of knowledge in a learning community. In this sense, it is similar to Google Slides, which makes it possible to see every group's work in their corresponding slide. But #Miro or #Padlet (with the canva template) could both be wonderful choices too for the specific COIL you are planning.
4. To integrate technology successfully, many variables must be taken into account. You can see the TPACK or SAMR model to learn about how to go about integrating technology.
Are you interested in COIL ? Read more posts about it in this blog. 💻
Have you tried any of these tools in a virtual exchange? Do you feel it was the right choice? Why or why not❓