What I actually learned this week about collaborative efforts...

When I began this week I was already familiar with some of the collaborative software that was already out there. I had already used Yahoo groups and Google Docs to be able to actively edit papers for different classes. I have used both Meebo and Skype with communicating with different people in the past and so was familiar with their software. I knew that all of these forums could be used to communicate effectively with one person, or with many people at the same time.

Despite this familiarity with the process of everything, I did come to a realization about the failures of communicating tools like this when given short notice about who you have to work with. Elluminate is great, if you have the time to set up a meeting in advance. If you have little time to work, it becomes next to impossible to accomplish. Also, I learned that collaborative efforts are difficult when one is trying to put together some amount of personal reflection on a particular item. If I am going to discuss what I learned this week, it is hard for someone to come along side to what I have written and piece together a group reflection about what I learned. I suppose we could have pieced one together about what we learned.

What I am excited about with all of these tools is the ability to find some tool that can be used in an effective way to develop a group project and presentation. I want to let nothing get in the way of imagination and innovation to develop something that will stand out. I hearken back to my first time working with Power Point, almost 13 years ago now. I remember what little I could accomplish and how much more I can accomplish using Power Point today. I hope that my experiences from the past and working with a partner will sharpen my skills and make my projects more streamlined this time.