Frontline Tech

Category: Collaborate with Others Using Online Writing/Documents

These tools include whiteboard and shared document tools you can use to collaborate with and share with Newcomers and colleagues.

  • Quizlet

    Description

    Quizlet is a tools including flashcards, study and game modes. Instructors can creating their own study sets with terms and definitions. Instructors can use their own definitions, or use Quizlet’s built-in auto-define feature. It offers various ways of engagement and interaction with the study material including Flashcards, Learn, Spell, Test and Match modes.

    The site contains over 100 million sets of study materials created by other users that range in topics. Using Quizlet’s free study sets, study modes and in-class game, you can instantly create a more engaged classroom. You are note constrained to using just text – images and audio are easy to include in study materials. Mterials created can be shared with clients and others.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • In LINC classes Quizlet has been mainly used for vocabulary review; however, it can be used for learning of a variety of subjects.
    • Quizlet can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to create information to help inform and engage with Newcomers visually.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    The basic version of Quizlet is free. They also offer a paid version, Quizlet Plus.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Quizlet is considered easy to use, both for teachers and students. However, no information about accessibility could be found.

    Mobile friendly

    Quizlet is is optimized for mobile web use on any phone or tablet. Quizlet also has mobile apps for Android and iOS.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    Quizlet is compliant with the requirements of the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and outlines what that means for data and personal privacy here. They also have Community Guidelines users are expected to follow.

    Multilingual capabilities

    Quizlet supports many international languages/keyboards for those wanting to input text from a wide array of languages.

    Additional resources

  • Groups.io

    Description

    Groups.io is a privacy-focused group email list/web discussion tool. You can use announcement-only/broadcast, moderated, or restricted groups, or groups with other combinations of settings.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Groups.io can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival as an group communication and discussion tool with clients and communities.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Their free account allows for groups up to 100 members. Paid versions have more features, including additional collaboration tools (such as Polls, Calendar, Chat, Database, Photos, Files, Wiki).

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Easy to set up and use. If accessed through email by group members, easy and accessible.

    Mobile friendly

    Most users will access through email after signing up. However, the site and additional tools/features can be accessed on any device through the web browser.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    Groups.io has customizable privacy settings.

    Multilingual capabilities

    Additional resources

  • Ideabordz

    Description

    Ideabordz is a simple online white board tool you can use during a live online meeting/session. Participants can fill out sticky notes together, live, during the session. IdeaBoardz is a team collaboration tool. It allows teams to collectively brainstorm, gather inputs, reflect and retrospect.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Idealbordz can been used during webinars, online video conference meetings, and community sessions as a brainstorming tool to capture simple information such as what went well, what didn’t go well, and action items to capture. Participants can vote on ideas to generate priorities.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    IdeaBordz is a free tool.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    IdeaBordz is simple and intuitive to use, and does not require an account to use.

    IdeaBordz indicates that it is best viewed on Chrome, FireFox, or Safari web browsers on your computer.

    Mobile friendly

    IdeaBordz is mobile friendly and works well in mobile web browsers.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    Creating an account and logging into the site is optional. You can choose not to login and still use IdeaBoardz. If you do create an account, Ideabordz says that they “store only your name and email id to identify you when you visit next.”

    Multilingual capabilities

    IdeaBordz is available in English only.

    Additional resources

  • Mural

    Description

    Mural is an online visual collaboration space, a whiteboard tool you can use during a live online meeting/session. You can also use it as a planning, idea generating, and visualization tool to create simple and comprehensive visualizations and diagrams and collaborate with others on ideas.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Mural can been used during webinars, online video conference meetings, and community sessions as a brainstorming, meeting, visual collaboration, design, and Newcomer engagement tool.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Mural has a free version and a number of paid options with additional features.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Mural has a learning curve to become comfortable using the tool, but is fairly intuitive as you learn to use it.

    Mural has information about accessibility and compliance with accessibility standards.

    Mobile friendly

    Mural can be used on mobile apps and has useful information about optimal technical requirements to use it.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    Mural has robust security and privacy features, including data encryption. Find out more here.

    Multilingual capabilities

    Mural is currently only available in English.

    Additional resources

  • Miro

    Description

    Miro is an online visual collaboration space, a whiteboard tool you can use during a live online meeting/session. You can also use it as a planning, idea generating, and visualization tool to create simple and comprehensive visualizations and diagrams and collaborate with others on ideas.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Miro can been used during webinars, online video conference meetings, and community sessions as a brainstorming, meeting, visual collaboration, design, and Newcomer engagement tool.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Miro has a free version and a number of paid options with additional features. They offer a discount for nonprofits on their paid plans.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Miro has a learning curve to become comfortable using the tool, but is fairly intuitive as you learn to use it.

    Miro has information about accessibility features and functions.

    Mobile friendly

    Miro can be used on mobile Android and iOS apps.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    Multilingual capabilities

    Miro appears to be available in English only.

    Additional resources

  • Google Drive

    Description

    Google Drive is a cloud storage and file syncing service. Google Drive also includes Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides, which are a part of an office suite you can use for collaborative editing of documents, spreadsheets, presentations, drawings, forms, and more. Files created and edited through the office suite are saved in Google Drive.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Google Drive can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival as a document sharing tool with clients and communities.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    You can use Google Drive with any free Google account. Google Workspace offers discounted rates for nonprofits (including a free tier).

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Google Drive is simple and easy to use.

    When creating a Google account, a valid name, email address, username, and password are required. It is also optional to provide a phone number to recover your account if the password is lost. Upon creation of your account, Google closely tracks your searches, bookmarks, and location services, among other data. These underlying data collection practices and Google’s sharing of your information with third parties make the use of Google tools for personal purposes unsafe.

    Google has accessibility information for Google Drive.

    Mobile friendly

    Google Drive is mobile friendly and also accessible through Android and iOS apps.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    Google Drive security features.

    Multilingual capabilities

    You can set your preferred language for Google services in your account settings.

    Additional resources

  • Google Sites

    Description

    Google Sites is a Google web application that allows users to create simple websites. Google Sites is free to use (with a paid option that offers more storage capability) and is included in

    Google Sites is a Google web application that allows users to create simple websites. Google Sites is free to use (with a paid option that offers more storage capability) and is included in the Google Workspace which offers discounted rates for nonprofits (including a free tier). If you’re looking for a simple drag-and-drop web design tool for developing class websites, student project sites, or encouraging students to show their knowledge in different ways, check out Google Sites.

    If you’re looking for a simple drag-and-drop web design tool for developing class websites, student project sites, or encouraging students to show their knowledge in different ways, check out Google Sites.

    Current known uses in the sector

    Video overview

    Pricing

    You can use Google Sites with any free Google account. Google Workspace offers discounted rates for nonprofits (including a free tier).

    Service Context and activities

    Google Sites can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival as a tool to share information with Newcomers.

    Make sure you do not use a personal Google account. Your organization should have an account, or you should create a separate account that is specific and only for work-related websites or pages created on Google Sites.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Creating websites/pages using Google Sites is fairly easy and intuitive. You can create sites using existing templates or from a blank canvas. General information on using Google Sites with assistive technologies can be found on Google’s Use Google Sites with a screen reader page. Additional useful information about accessibility can be found here.

    Mobile friendly

    Sites created on Google Sites are mobile friendly.

    Privacy/security features (including data security and message encryption)

    When creating a Google account, a valid name, email address, username, and password are required. It is also optional to provide a phone number to recover your account if the password is lost. Upon creation of your account, Google closely tracks your searches, bookmarks, and location services, among other data. These underlying data collection practices and Google’s sharing of your information with third parties make the use of Google tools for personal purposes unsafe.

    Multilingual capabilities

    Unclear.

    Additional resources

  • Slack

    Description

    Slack is a workplace communication tool, where participants can message each other, create channels/discussion groups, and share tools and files. Slack also integrates with other apps/add-ins and other workplace tools.

    You can integrate other apps and services into Slack, making it a versatile team communication tool. Using Slack can increase communication and collaboration, facilitate project management, and allow you to learn how to use a tool that is popular in many workplaces today.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Public community groups and discussions on specific topics for larger projects.
    • Used as the messaging component for online conferences.
    • Internal team meeting, project management, and discussion tool.
    • Mainly an internally focused tool, Slack can be used to coordinate with Newcomers and communities as well. Slack allows for public and private channels, restricting access to internally focused channels and discussions, while allowing for external partners/clients to share and discuss. In that way, Slack can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival as a tool to engage with internal colleagues, external partners & stakeholders, as well as Newcomers.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Slack is free to use and will generally be sufficient for most nonprofits. Slack has a number of pricing levels for additional tools and functionality. They also offer nonprofit discounts on those levels.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Slack is relatively easy to use, but there is a learning curve to make full use of it. The above videos as well as time and practice, make it easy to use after the initial orientation. Here is a good example of a Slack workspace guidelines and orientation guide, from Refugee613’s DMSI project.

    FINAL-DMSI-Slack-Onboarding-FEB-2020Download

    You can use a screen reader to navigate conversations, read messages, and access information in your sidebar from the Slack desktop app and Slack in a web browser.

    Mobile friendly

    Slack has a mobile/smartphone app where participants can access full functionality, including using Slack for audio calls with other users.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    Slack has a mixed rating on Common Sense Media (which typically rates for safe use of technology with children). However, Slack indicates that it uses strong security protocols, including that it can be can be configured for HIPAA compliance, including electronically protected health information (e-PHI), which is an extremely high security setting.

    It is useful and important to note on the pricing page the security features increase and are enhanced with higher priced versions of the tool.

    Multilingual capabilities

    You can display the Slack app in a number of languages. Find out more in this Slack Help Center article.

    Additional resources