Maximising online collaboration tools and cloud-based learning

Cloud-based learning and online collaboration tools are transforming the way we teach and learn. These tools facilitate collaboration between students and teachers.

Laptops connected.

Collaborating with the whole class

In a class of 30 students, it can be challenging for everyone to have a voice. All students can contribute when working in files such as:

Online collaboration tools allow for multi-modal contributions, including text, images, annotations, weblinks, and embedded documents and media.

Canva Whiteboard where different people have contributed their thoughts and ideas on sticky notes. People have placed stickers, hearts, ticks and stars next to ideas that they like.

Working on the same document in real-time

Cloud-saved files allow everyone to collaborate and work from the same version, fostering teamwork and enabling real-time clarifications. Documents can be shared with various permissions, defining different roles for view, edit and comment access. Find out more in this article about file sharing.

Group work and assignments

Learning Management Systems (LMS) like Class Teams offer inbuilt functions for group assignments.

Teachers can monitor student progress and provide feedback before or after work submission. This gives you the opportunity to support students who may need help with time management and organisation.

A group assignment set up in Microsoft Class Teams showing 3 columns for the student’s name, the status of their work and feedback. The teacher can use the feedback column to add comments to the group by clicking on a speech bubble icon.

Collaborative planning

Online collaboration tools make planning with colleagues seamless. Setting up a master Class Team or Google Classroom allows all teachers to contribute and access the same resources, enabling clarity across subjects and year levels.

Documenting student learning

Online collaboration tools provide a space for teachers and support staff to share notes about students' learning. In Class Teams, private channels can be created for this purpose. In Class Notebook, a section can be created in the Teacher section for recording important information or anecdotal notes.