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Technology Resources

For students to feel comfortable under this new learning format, it is important that instructors utilize technology that helps students thrive in the Virtual Exchange environment. Decisions on the appropriate technological tools for content facilitation, group meetings, and student sharing and activities should be made during the pre-Virtual Exchange phase. The rule of thumb is to keep the technology tools free, simple, and accessible to individuals at both institutions.  Below are some example tools that may be helpful for your Virtual Exchange:

Teleconferencing/Communication

  1. Microsoft Teams: real-time language translation (speech to text), polling, record meetings, seamless file sharing, various group-oriented add-ons available for download based on collaboration.
  2. Zoom: breakout rooms, polling, recording meetings, sign-on authentication, synchronous discussion to deliver oral presentations, seminar-format, reliable sound and image quality,  screen-sharing, interactive whiteboard, file/document sharing.
  3. WhatsApp: Low bandwidth allows for higher accessibility through mobile devices, call/text options, end-to-end encryption for secure learning environments, secure data sharing.
  4. Google Meet: Breakout rooms, meeting recording, screen sharing, virtual backgrounds, live captions, hand raise, polling, whiteboard, waiting rooms, HD video and audio.

Project and Social Collaboration

  1. Google Workplace and Drive: Allows multiple users to work on the same document, including text files, spreadsheets, presentations, and online forms or surveys. Seamless interface for users with Gmail-based accounts.
  2. Mentimeter: Enables users to create interactive presentations, polls, and quizzes with real-time audience participation.
  3. Flip: Allows users to create and share short video responses for discussions, collaboration, and feedback.
  4. Microsoft 365 and Sharepoint: Allows multiple users to work on the same document, including text files, spreadsheets, presentations, and online forms or surveys. Seamless interface for users with Microsoft-based accounts.
  5. Padlet: Virtual bulletin board: Users can organize posts – text, images, video, URLs – into categories, shelves or pin them to a map.
  6. FOLD: Open publishing platform for sharing ideas and creating magazine-like layouts of content.
  7. Voice Thread: For multi-media conversations, allows multiple users to comment on videos, presentations or images.
  8. Miro: A digital whiteboard platform for brainstorming, collaboration, and project planning.
  9. Notion: All-in-one workspace for notes, project management, and databases, designed for seamless collaboration and organization

License

Faculty Guide: Implementing Course-Embedded Virtual Exchanges at McMaster University Copyright © by Hasan Ahmad; Shaaf Farooq; Paul Leegsma; Nergiz Turgut; and Michael Wong. All Rights Reserved.

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