Academic Technology Tools
Collaboration and Mind Mapping Tools
This abridged list of resources may help you with your personal or collaborative work. Please note that when using products that store your information for you online, you should read the company’s privacy policy and terms of use to see what information they will collect and how they will use it. For example, Google Docs stores your documents on its own servers so you can access them anywhere online.
Please note that none of the websites, companies or products listed below are affiliated with the University of Michigan, University Housing, and/or Residential Computing. Here is an excellent guide to privacy for online consumers. For a more in-depth guide to privacy, check out The Center for Democracy and Technology.
We have done some research for you and have selected a few products that we feel are easy to use, secure and have reasonable privacy policies. Our top picks are listed below in no particular order.
Document Collaboration
Google Docs
Price: FREE
Requirements: You will need a Google Account; signing up is free. You don’t need to install any additional software on your computer, just a web browser such as Safari, Firefox, or Chrome and an Internet connection. See the website for additional information.
Highlights: Upload your documents (Word, PowerPoint, etc.) from your desktop. Edit and view your docs from any computer or smart phone. Share your work and collaborate in real-time. Includes real-time chat alongside document collaboration.
Cons: You need to be connected online to access your documents. In comparison to the full version of Microsoft Office, there are less advanced features, templates and tools in the software.
Office Web Apps
Price: FREE
Requirements: You will need a Windows Live ID; signing up is free. Also, it is not required that you have Microsoft Office installed on your computer! You will also need a web browser such as Internet Explorer, Safari, or Firefox and an Internet connection. See the website for additional information.
Highlights: An online companion to Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, which offers you an easy way to access, view, and edit documents directly from your Web browser.
Cons: Unfortunately, you will need to be connected online to access your documents. Also, in comparison to the full version of Microsoft Office, there are less advanced features, templates, and tools in the software.
Online Whiteboards
Stixy
Price: FREE
Requirements: You will need a Stixy Account; signing up is free. You don’t need to install any additional software on your computer, just a web browser such as Safari, Firefox, or Chrome and an Internet connection. See the website for additional information.
Highlights: Essentially an online bulletin board. Create unlimited boards for different projects. Makes organization and sharing very easy. You can add pictures, documents, webclippings, etc. and choose to share your board publicly or only with other specified users.
Cons: You will need to be connected online to access your whiteboards.
Dabbleboard
Price: Free/additional options for pay; see website for pricing information.
Requirements: No sign-up necessary to get started. You don’t need to install any additional software on your computer, just a web browser such as Safari, Firefox, or Chrome and an Internet connection. See the website for additional information.
Highlights: Allows you to free form draw very easily. You can also upload pictures, documents, etc. to your board and choose to share your board with other users if you have an account. Voice and video chat is also an option.
Cons: You will need to be connected online to access your whiteboards. In the free version, there is a limit on the number of private drawings and meetings you can have and you can’t access your data using encrypted access. These options and many more are available starting at $4/month for educational pricing.
Web-Conferencing
ooVoo
Price: Free/additional options for pay; see website for pricing information.
Requirements: You will need an ooVoo Account; signing up is free. You will need to install the ooVoo software on your personal computer or use a browser with an Internet connection. See the website for additional information. Please note that you will not be able to install this software on Campus Computing Sites Computers. A list is available of software that is already included on Sites computers.
Highlights: Video calls, 2-way (ooVoo to ooVoo), Audio calls, 2-way (ooVoo to ooVoo), Record and send video messages to friends or to email address, Video and audio call with friends who don't have ooVoo, Emoticon effects added to text chat, chat and text chat history (ooVoo to ooVoo), Embed a video chat room in a website, Send files up to 5MB… all for free!
Cons: The Skype caller network is larger, so it is likely that more of your friends, family and colleagues will be using Skype. In order to gain access to full features, you must pay a monthly fee.
Skype
Price: Free/additional options for pay; see website for pricing information.
Requirements: You will need a Skype Account; signing up is free. You need to install the Skype software on your computer and an Internet connection. See the website for additional information. Please note that you will not be able to install this software on Campus Computing Sites Computers. A list is available of software that is already included on Sites computers.
Highlights: Skype-to-Skype calls, video calls, instant messaging, and screen sharing all free!
Cons: In order to gain access to full features, you must pay a monthly fee.
Mindmapping
Bubbl.us
Price: FREE
Are you unfamiliar with what mind maps are and how they can help you? Check out this blog entry that explains what mind maps are and how to get started on one right away.
Requirements: You will need a bubbl.us account; signing up is free. You don’t need to install any additional software on your computer, just a web browser such as Safari, Firefox, or Chrome. See the website for additional information.
Highlights: Create colorful mind maps online, share and work with friends, embed your mind map in your blog or website, email and print your mind map, save your mind map as an image… all for free!
Cons: You will need to be connected online to access your maps.
Inspiration
Price: $69.00 for a full version download. Not free, but not too expensive for an incredibly powerful set of tools. Pricing varies; see website for additional information.
Requirements: You need to install the Inspiration software on your computer; no Internet connection needed once installed. See the website for additional information. Please note that you will not be able to install this software on Campus Computing Sites Computers. A list is available of software that is already included on Sites computers.
Highlights: Visual mapping, outlining, writing and making presentations. Brainstorm ideas, structure your thoughts and visually communicate concepts to strengthen understanding. Take notes, organize information, and structure writing for plans, papers and reports. Focus on main and supporting ideas and to clarify thinking in written form. Transform your diagrams, mind maps and outlines into polished presentations that communicate ideas clearly and demonstrate understanding and knowledge.
Cons: There is no free version of this product.
Mind42
Price: FREE
Requirements: You will need a Mind42 Account; signing up is free. You don’t need to install any additional software on your computer, just a web browser such as Safari, Firefox or Chrome. See the website for additional information.
Highlights: No installation, accessible everywhere, intuitive interface, many node attributes (icons, colors, images, text styles, links), collaboration (simultaneous editing), easy publishing and distribution of maps
Cons: You will need to be connected online to access your maps.
Additional Resources
While we listed nine different products to help you with your collaboration, organization and mind mapping, hundreds of other resources and tools exist online, many of which are free! Here are a few to consider:
