This document discusses using Etherpad, a real-time document collaboration tool, to encourage participation from all students during problem-based learning activities. Etherpad allows multiple users to edit a document simultaneously, includes chat functionality, and supports anonymous contributions. It has technical features like multi-user editing, easy sharing and access, and revision tracking. Socially, it enables anonymous use and immediate feedback. Pedagogically, Etherpad can support social constructivism through synchronous and asynchronous collaboration and encourage participation from quieter students.

1. ICT Tool Sharing Real time document collaboration with Etherpad

2. The problem … Our process (PBL) Problem definition template Encourage participation within class / within group Facilitation Problem: Same students contribute regularly (motivation / confidence / prior knowledge / interest / mood / alertness) Goal: Everyone contributes

3. How can we achieve our goal? The ideal ICT tool is Socially engaging (more than just collaborative) Low or no learning curve (intuitive) Highly responsive (immediate feedback) Easily accessible (one or two clicks) Enable anonymous use (social safety)

4. Collaboration Tool: Etherpad

5. What does it do? One click “Create public pad” Enter your name … or don’t Invite people with a C&P over IM, or send email Collaboratively edit (highlight colours) Chat room Time slider Change font for code Fast forward and rewind changes (history) Really Real Time (very responsive – cf. Google docs)

6. Technical affordances Multi-user Quick creation and sharing of new Etherpad (easy) Web based(connected) Real time (fast) Cut and paste or import and export (various formats) Save multiple revisions (with tracking) Infinite undo

7. Social affordances Multi user (social) Anonymous users supported (protection) Chat client built in (discursive) Change colours (to suit yourself) Immediate (key by key displayed) Replay (who said what, who deleted what?)

8. Pedagogical affordances Social constructivist tool Instructional management (pre-defined templates) Any collaboration document can be produced in real time with “Teaching Guidance” Synchronous/Asynchronous (reflection) Encourage ‘quieter’ students (anonymous ) Divergent (chat/contributions)

9. Thank you. www.etherpad.com