Real-Time Collaboration

Just a little more than six weeks ago a new web 2.0 tool became available, QikPad.  According to the site, multiple users can instantly see text updates, character by character.  It is currently in beta form but it is free, instantly accessible and simple to use; the perfect collaboration tool especially in education as there is no registration required. 

Begin by clicking on the big gray New Qikpad button.  Users are immediately taken to the collaboration space.  At the top of the page a unique URL is assigned to the new QikPad. 

As others join the collaboration their text is highlighted in a particular color.  A chat box opens in which users can participate. In beginning a QikPad my text was highlighted in blue.

Across the top of the page are a variety of icons.  The first set refers to the look of the written discussion; text in bold, italics, underlined, struck through, bulleted, indented or unindented list, undo, redo or clear authorship colors.  The second set of icons concerns the QikPad as a whole; share on a multitude of social networks, email, add to favorites, create a read-only link for a particular pad (this also creates a QR code for that pad), import/export from/to different document formats, embed pad, show history of a pad, show connected users or chat with users (icon at the page bottom).

I began a QikPad commentary on the possibility of Lane Smith's Grandpa Green being considered for the 2012 Caldecott Award.  Each year I do a Mock Caldecott Election with my third and fourth grade students.  Using this format I can extend that election to a full-blown written discussion on the choices up for consideration between all of the students; having them choose a set number of books on which to comment. 

I can't wait to use this in my classroom, the library media center, when the new year begins. 

This is the read-only link to my initial QikPad.



Thanks to Larry Ferlazzo blogger at Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day and Richard Byrne blogger at
Free Technology for Teachers.