Collaborative Tools

 

Online Collaborative Tools

Online collaboration tools are software that allow participants to work together remotely. The tools enable teams to work together where ever they are, communicating effortlessly and quickly (Adobe, 2023). 

My Personal collaborative space is GOOGLE Docs. It is a collaboration tool that allows teams to create a document online and work collaborative on it simultaneously or at a time convenient to the members. Its features are similar to the Microsoft Word that makes it easy to navigate and use.

An Introduction Video of GOOGLE Docs

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How to use Google Docs (From Google Support)

Google Docs is an online word processor that lets you create and format documents and work with other people.

Step 1: Create a document

To create a new document:On your computer, open the Docs home screen at docs.google.com.

In the top left, under "Start a new document," click Blank .You can also create new documents from the URL docs.google.com/create.

Step 2: Edit and format

To edit a document:

On your computer, open a document in Google Docs.

To select a word, double-click it or use your cursor to select the text you want to change.

Start editing.

To undo or redo an action, at the top, click Undo or Redo .

Note: To edit a document on a touchscreen device, like a Pixel Book, double-tap the document to start typing.

You can add and edit text, paragraphs, spacing, and more in a document.Format paragraphs or font

Add a title, heading, or table of contents

Step 3: Share & work with others

You can share files and folders with people and choose whether they can view, edit, or comment on them.

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ScreenShots of a GOOGLE Doc Space:

(Image: "Google Docs: Online document editor | Google workspace," n.d.)

Once team members are simultaneously working in the document, they are able to identify each other. This can be done from the displayed image located at the top right of the page as well as the colour coded callouts in the document at the area the person is working.

 

(Image:WorkspaceTips, 2023)

As soon as the document is completed, it can be emailed. See steps provided by WorkspaceTips below:

• Click on the File menu ( See image above)
• Go to Email and choose Email as an attachment. This is the recommended option if you want to share the document with external contacts, without giving them permission to edit the content.

• Enter the email address(es), add a message if you wish and choose the preferred format.
• Other options include:
• Send yourself a copy - enabling this will send you a copy of the email with the document attached.
• Don't attach. Include content in the email - this feature will copy the content of the document and send it as a regular email message, without any files attached.

• Click Send

References:

1. Adobe. (2023). Introduction to online collaboration tools. https://www.adobe.com/sign/hub/features/online-collaboration-tools.html#:~:text=Online%20collaboration%20tools%20are%20exactly,a%20single%20kind%20of%20task
2. Google. (2023). How to use Google Docs. Google Help. https://support.google.com/docs/answer/7068618?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop
3. Google Docs: Online document editor | Google workspace. (n.d.). Google. https://www.google.com/docs/about/
4. H, P. (2018, December 7). The ultimate guide to writing with Google Docs. The Lulu Blog | Take control of your creative journey with advice from the team at Lulu. https://blog.lulu.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-writing-with-google-docs/
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WorkspaceTips. (2023). How to send a Google Doc as an email attachment. Workspace Tips. https://workspacetips.io/tips/docs/how-to-send-a-google-doc-as-an-email-attachment/