Tools+for+Online+CFGs

=Technology for Online CFGs=

Trying to figure out what would be the best environment for your online CFG? Various tools have different strengths, weaknesses, and affordances. Here's a list of what we've experimented with so far. Feel free to add your comments or new tools.

Online Communication Genres

 * **Type of Technology** || **Strengths for CFG Use** || **Weaknesses for CFG Use** || **Tools of this Type** || **Things to think about/consider** ||
 * Text Chat || * Does not require fast connection speeds
 * Does not require special equipment
 * Easy to do || * Miss visual cues (emoticons can help)
 * Time for typing needs to be allowed /worked into protocol
 * Turntaking/rounds needs to be figured out
 * Requires a lot of preparation/planning by facilitator || * iChat
 * || * Can you tell when people are typing (very helpful in facilitating)?
 * Does it have file sharing capabilities (if you need them)?
 * Can users express feelings via emoticons?
 * Is there a character limit? (if so, you will need to adjust for that - which isn't a bad thing)
 * Can you also send messages to individuals in the group?
 * Can you save the transcript? ||
 * Video Chat || * ||  ||   ||   ||
 * Skype || *Feels closer to "live" than text chatting, you can hear tone of voice, you can "see" who is speaking || * Miss visual cues
 * No automatic written record || Okay, Skype is really an example of Internet Telephony, but most everyone at least recognizes "Skype"
 * Oovoo || * If you "skype" with more than two people, you lose your video capability. So same limitations occur regarding turn-taking/rounds.
 * Need to "mute" when typing (important for note-taking)
 * Works well in conjunction with google-docs for document sharing ||
 * Discussion Forums || * Does not require everyone to be available at the same time
 * Everything is held in text and is able to be easily referenced and quoted
 * People can jump back in easily if they had to be away for a bit || * Allowing for interaction at different times means extending the protocol over days ||  ||   ||
 * "Classroom" or "Webinar" ||  ||   || * DimDim (open source)
 * Elluminate
 * Horizon Wimba
 * GoToWebinar/Meeting
 * WebEx || Cost and accessibility will be an issue for some - many allow for free use up to a certain number of users. Several of these are more enterprise solutions rather than something for individuals. ||
 * Teleconference ||  ||   || * Polycom
 * 3D Virtual Environments ||  ||   || * Second Life ||   ||
 * 3D Virtual Environments ||  ||   || * Second Life ||   ||

Support Technology
These are tools that would not necessarily be the "home" or "host" of the Online CFG Session, but could be used as a part of it
 * **Type of Technology** || **Strengths for CFG Use** || **Weaknesses for CFG Use** || **Tools of this Type** || **Things to Think About/Consider** ||
 * Collaborative Document Creation || * Allows for simultaneous editing, commenting of documents/text
 * Creates a group artifact
 * Norm creation / editing
 * Can usually initially tell by color who has contributed what || * Just one more thing people have to have access to
 * Requires comfortability with working with a variety of tools at the same time. || * Etherpad
 * TypeLikeMe
 * Google Docs || Some of these (Etherpad and TypeLikeMe in particular) are not fully private. There is not a login for these systems, you just point to the page. Therefore, if someone knew what to search for, they might be able to find it. ||
 * MindMapping || * Virtual Chalk Talks
 * Archived and can be saved or reviewed later || * Just one more thing people have to have access to
 * Requires comfortability with working with a variety of tools at the same time. || * MindMeister || MindMeister allows for simultaneous editing, many do not. Most allow for limited use for free. May be able to link out to websites, attach documents and graphics. ||
 * Filesharing || * Central place to house documents
 * || * Just one more thing people have to have access to
 * Requires comfortability with working with a variety of tools at the same time.
 * Some require installing software on your own computer || * Local networks
 * Dropbox
 * Mobi
 * Google Groups
 * Yahoo!Groups || Many chat / audio conference tools have instantaneous file sharing built in so this may not be needed. ||