Collaboration tools can help a team keep on track. Avoid unnecessary tug of wars by improving communications among team members. "Marines in Tug of War with Elephant, circa 1917" by Archives Branch, USMC History Division is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
What are Collaboration Tools?
Collaboration tools are techniques, applications, processes that are designed to facilitate collaborative processes.
Types of Collaboration Tools
Collaboration tools are now ubiquitous. Work and learning have all gone online. You can video conference with others on your cell phone, iWatch, personal computer. Large groups of people can work synchronously on tools such as wikis, Microsoft One Note, Google Docs.
- Chat, Snapchat, Online Messaging Tools
- Citation Tools
- Discussion Forums
- File Sharing
- Online Whiteboards
- Project Management Tools
- Shared Calendars
- Social Media
- Video Conferencing
- Wikis
Commonplace Collaboration Tools
Google Docs
“With Google Docs, you can write, edit, and collaborate wherever you are. For Free.”
Etherpad
“Etherpad allows you to edit documents collaboratively in real-time, much like a live multi-player editor that runs in your browser. Write articles, press releases, to-do lists, etc. together with your friends, fellow students or colleagues, all working on the same document at the same time.”
All in one workspace. Works with large companies with thousands of to small startups with a handful of employees. Is free to students with an .edu account.
Slack
“Teamwork in Slack happens in channels — a single place for messaging, tools and files — helping everyone save time and collaborate together.”
