This section was a bit difficult to classify as many of the other webtools also allow collaborative functions. However, here I want to focus on those tools which have features specifically designed for collaboration such as shared workspaces and chat tools.

1. Scriblink - This is a paid tool starting from $9 a month. It can accept up to 10 users on any one board and in reality you probably wouldn't want as large a group as this collaborating anyway (Too many Coooks!) I have included it here as it has a working demo on the homepage which will give you an idea of what whiteboards can do.

2. Thinkature - It is difficult to categorize this tool as it includes several different elements. The basic idea is that students use an online whiteboard to show their thinking. You begin by posting cards onto the whiteboard. These cards can be text or image and can be colour coded. You can then draw connecting lines between the different cards. There is also a chat function on the page, either text or voice, which again will facilitate collaboration. Collaborators can be invited by e-mail. I have not tried to share the URL but this may possible be another way to share the whiteboard. I would be interested to hear how you think you could use this tool. Click Here to see an example workspace.

3. Dabbleboard - Good looking and very functional tool. Freehand, shapes, lines, text and images can all be included. There is also a chat function (text, voice or video) to aid collaboration. There is a guest board to try before you decide to sign up.




4. Mebeam - This is a site for creating a video chat room. Simply give your room a name, go to it and so long as your webcam is plugged in you will be able to start a video chat. You can invite others to the room by sending them an e-mail with the room address. So simple and it works. Obviously not as sophisticated as other tools designed for team working and conferencing which also include whiteboards, filesharing etc.

5. Twiddla - This site does not require a sign in and has great potential for educational use. On one level you have a standard white board where you can draw and put pictures etc. What makes this tool a little different is that it also allows you to upload tools and to browse web pages. If that wasn't enough you can also invite others to your board through sharing the URL. Great potential but when I tried it not all the features were working and it had trouble browsing some of the pages I suggested because of java issues. Still, worth a look and one to keep an eye on.

6. Selfcast - If you want a site to show you how revloutionary Web 2 can be then this is one to look at. This site allows anyone to start there own TV station with a click of a button and a web cam. Your channel also includes a blog, chat room and information panel. You could create a school TV channel from this site and broadcast to the world...live! I created the one below in less than 10 minutes.



7. Toxbox - Another free video call webtool.

8. Meglobe - This tool aims to become a universal translator. You send a message to someone in your native language and they will receive it in their native tongue instantly translated. Obviously there are limitations and what is most interesting about this tool is it is designed to build on feedback from users to improve the translation process. Perhaps language teachers could use the refinement process as a teaching tool.

9. Chatmaker - This allows you to create an instant chat room and then to share it with others by way of the URL. There is also a function for secure rooms.

10. Yakkle - This is a free download site which allows you to share your desktop screen with other people. This sometimes gets round the issue of having different software installed on different machines which prevents the sharing of info. So long as the other party has Yakkle installed they can see your screen as well as engage in conversation through voice software and instant messaging.

11. Gabbly - Enables users to add an instant messenger to their website by installing a small javascript. This is an example below.



12. Palbee - This tool creates a shared meeting area around a white board. You can show slides, write text, highlight and erase on the white board. You also have a video chat panel and a text chat panel for communication.

13. Skabble - this is a download tool so I am not going to review fully. This tool basically allows you to chat with any other Skabble user who is browsing the same page as you. This could be useful if several students are using the same page and it is a simple way into co-browsing. Xpanity is a very similar download tool.

14. Youfig - This tool allows you to create a shared space for pupils to work. At the minute it is in free Beta but I am sure it will develop a Premium service eventually. The basic work space includes a discussion/chat board and a widget window. The widgets are documents, files, calendars etc. that you want pupils to use or that they have contributed. You can set it up with as many of these widgets as possible and they are accessed by scrolling through using the arrows at the top. You can created public or private workspaces as required. Click Here for an example



15. Elluminate - This is a paid web conferencing tool but there is an option to use for free for up to three participants. I have used Eluminate to attend several web conferences on the Discovery Channel's education service and have been quite impressed. Language teachers also use it to link students from different parts of the world to speak and write their target language. Eluminate is available in French, Spanish and German. There is a small file to download onto your computer which will take about one minute but well worth it. There is a text and audio chat function alongside a whiteboard. There is also a video function that opens in a seperate window. You can share files, multimedia, presentations and web pages. This is a fully functioning professional web conferencing tool so will take a bit of time to learn every feature but worth the effort.

16. Hangout - This free software does require a small browser plug in to power the 3D experience. You are allocated a 3D room where you can come to meet with friends. You can chat by text, audio and video and buy furniture to design your own living space. You can listen to a radio and watch google videos with your friends which creates a shared browsing experience of sorts. If it also had the capacity to view websites it would be quite a useful tool for shared browsing. It markets itself as a stripped down version of Second Life and may have some worth if you are exploring these technologies in learning.

17. DimDim - This online conferencing tool could be ideal for teachers. It enables voice, text and video chat around a shared whiteboard. There is also the option to share your screen with other viewers as well as a seperate function to share PowerPoint or PDF files. There is no software download required to participate in meetings although there is a short download if you wish to share your screen. You can also record your meeting at the touch of a button.

18. Yugma - Another on-line conferencing tool. The free version allows 20 participants and there are a variety of subscroption options. As well as whiteboard and annotation tools, screens can be shared and different presenters can take control at the touch of a button. A download is required.

19. Vyew - Online conferencing tool with ability to share desktopn. Images, documents, presentations, whiteboards all available. Free version runs with adds but only allows a maximum of 20 participants.

20. Showdocument - This is a co-browsing tool specially designed for sharing documents instantly. All users can see the various changes/annotations suggested within the group. Others can also see exactly what is on your page including google maps and Youtube. Seems to have a very simple set up. There is also a chat function.

21. Scribblar - Very easy to use whiteboard tool. You create a room and invite others to participate. You can draw shapes, add text etc. review images. There is also a chat function to allow for communication.

22. Skitch - This is part whiteboard/part screen sharing tool/part image editor. You can use skitch to share images or screenshots with others. You can post to an integrated blog page and also edit the pictures. If you communicate using images this could be a very useful tool for you. Click on the link to watch an introductory video.

23. Meetsee - This team meeting tool is a little bit different as it uses a 3D virtual office for the meetings to take place. I am not sure whether virtual spaces and avatars are necessary in a world of webcams and screensharing, but the game-like appearance is undoubtedly attractive to students. You can create your own 3D space and share files, webcams, presentations with colleagues in the space.



24. Mikogo - This is a screen sharing/Meeting programme. It allows for changing presenters, remote control and File Transfer. This tool does require a download.

25. MeGlobe - This is an instant messenger with a twist, it includes a translator to translate into 12 languages. As my own language abilities are limited this could be useful for international collaboration. I would be surprised if the translations were totally accurate and this may make it a useful tool for language teachers with students comparing the output to what it should be.

26. Cozimo - This is a collaborative tool especially geared towards collaborating on video and images. There is a paid and free version available.