There are several new and exciting tools that can be used in online education.

An online
collaboration tool such as Wiggio can be used to host virtual meetings, manage events, send
voice and text messages, as well as share Iiles. Voice thread is an internet application that lends
well to posting and collaborating. It allows users to create three voice threads, with each voice
thread having the capability oI containing up to 50 pictures or documents; participants can leave
comments. Zoomerang is more geared Ior surveys or short quizzes. The Iree version permits up
to 12 questions and 100 possible answers per survey/quiz and an unlimited number oI
responders. The Iollowing is a more in depth look at the beneIits and challenges oI these three
online education tools.

Introduction and Uses for Wiggio
Wiggio.com is the 'easiest Iree way to work in groups, or at least that is their
advertising slogan. It can be used to host virtual meetings, manage events with a shared calendar,
create to-do lists and assign tasks, poll your group in real time, send e-mail, text messages, and
voice messages, and upload and manage shared Iiles. For a good look at what Wiggio.com has to
oIIer you can watch this promotional YouTube video.
Benefits
There are many beneIits in using Wiggio.com Ior peer to peer collaboration in an educational
setting, they are listed below:
1. an create more than one group in a Wiggio account
a. In Wiggio you have the ability to create as many accounts as you need. For example a
student may be part oI an academic group Ior a class they are taking, a service proiect, a
sports team, and a Iamily group. This user is able to create a Wiggio group Ior any group
they are part oI.
2. It is a Iree program
a. Members can become members Iree oI charge. To register they need to type in their
name, e-mail address, desired password, phone number (Ior teleconIerences), and age. A
conIirmation e-mail is then sent to the entered e-mail address.
3. Do not need to sign up to participate
a. People may be invited to ioin groups without having a Wiggio account by an account
owner. For example the captain oI the soccer team could enter in all the e-mail addresses
iI his team into a group on Wiggio. Wiggio will send an e-mail invitation to each oI the
team members. They will be able to participate in chats, Iile sharing, common calendar,
etc. without having to create their own Wiggio account.
4. an be used synchronously or asynchronously
a. Wiggio has several ways Ior communication and collaboration. For synchronous
communication groups can be invited to meetings. In these meetings groups can chat
through a chat window, send personalized chat messages, talk through teleconIerence, or
participate in a video conIerence. There is also the ability to work on the white board or a
common document.
b. For asynchronous communication members can leave messages through comments on a
discussion board, make edits to proiects on their own time, or send out text messages,
voice messages, or e-mails to be read my group members on their own time.
5. Has many diIIerent Ieatures
a. As listed previously Wiggio oIIers many diIIerent Ieatures. They are: to host virtual
meetings, manage events with a shared calendar, create to-do lists and assign tasks, poll
your group in real time, send e-mail, text messages, and voice messages, and upload and
manage shared Iiles
6. User Iriendly
a. Wiggio is very user Iriendly. II a little time is spent working on it most Ieatures are easy
to navigate. II problems do arise Wiggio has several tutorials posted on youtube Ior each
oI its Ieatures; linked is their basic tutorials.
7. E-mail and phone number private
a. Even though e-mail addresses and phone numbers are used in Wiggio communication
users are able to select a security setting in which phone numbers and e-mail addresses
are not shared amongst the group. (The group creator needs to have e-mail addresses to
invite participants into group).
Weaknesses/Challenges
1. Does not work well with Internet Explorer
a. The Iirst obvious weakness that was discovered was it does not work well on Intenet
Explorer. Members are able to create an account and log in however you are not able to
create groups or reply on message boards.
i. This problem can easily be overcome by using a diIIerent web browser like FireIox.
2. SoItware needed Ior Iile sharing
a. One oI the beneIits oI Wiggio is that it supports almost all Iile types, including MicrosoIt
Publisher (not supported by other programs like Google docs). However, each user needs
to have the soItware installed on their computer to view documents. For example iI a
group member was sharing a community service Ilyer made in Publisher, all group
members would have to have this soItware installed on their computers in order to view
and make changes on the Ilyer.
3. Limit oI group members being able to participate in meeting

55lication in the Online Classroom
Wiggio is a peer to peer collaboration tool; it could also be a teacher to peer collaboration
tool. As a peer to peer collaboration tool students could use Wiggio to work together on group
proiects through Iile sharing, group meetings, to-do lists, and and any other Ieature they see
beneIicial to them. As a teacher to peer collaboration tool teachers could use Wiggio as a Iree
communication tool Ior their classroom. For example due dates could be posted on the common
calendar or on the to-do lists, class readings or resources can be shared through Iile sharing, class
updates can be sent out via text, voice, or e-mail messages, and class synchronous meetings can
be held in the meeting space. Wiggio is in Iact an easy was to work in groups.
Learning Objectives for Wiggio
In 6
th
grade Family and onsumer Education students participate in the home alone unit.
During this unit there are two learning obiectives that pertain to interviewing their parents,
describing why home alone rules are important, and navigating MicrosoIt Publisher to create a
home alone rules book. The two learning obiectives are:
1. y the end oI the Home Alone Unit, 95 oI 6
th
grade FAE students will be able to
describe why home alone rules are important by creating a collaborative home alone
book in Wiggio.
2. y the end oI the Home Alone Unit, 95 oI 6
th
grade FAE students will be able to use
and navigate MicrosoIt Publisher to create a book, or any other program that can be used
to create a book.
3. y the end oI the Home Alone Unit, 95 oI 6
th
grade FAE students will be able to use
the polling Ieature on Wiggio to discuss which home alone rules to use Ior their
collaborative book.
4. y the end oI the Home Alone Unit, 95 oI 6
th
grade FAE students will be able to use
the discussion board or chat room to discuss why each oI the home alone rules is
important.
AIter interviewing their parent(s) each student would be able to ioin their Wiggio group where
they could share what rules they have Ior staying home alone through the discussion board. Then
they could create a poll to decide what rules they are going to use in their home alone book.
Through a meeting or the discussion board the group could discuss why each oI these rules are
important. Then the teacher could provide the Publisher book template Ior the group to work on.
The group then could either work synchronously or asynchronously to create their book. The
common calendar or to-do list could be used to assign tasks or remind group members oI their
roles.
Introduction and Uses for Voice Thread
Voice Thread is an Internet application that lends well to posting and collaborating. The
Iree account allows users to create three voice threads, with each voice thread having the
capability oI containing up to 50 pictures or documents. Participants can leave comments or
collaborate in Iive (5) diIIerent ways: using voice (with a mic or telephone), text, audio Iile, or
video (via a webcam). Doodling is possible on documents when used in coniunction to voice
comments. These doodling comments Iade quickly, but can clariIy speciIic instructions.
Benefits
1. Accounts are Iree to set up.
a. Members can become members Iree oI charge. To register they need to type in their
name, e-mail address, desired password. A conIirmation e-mail is then sent to the entered
e-mail address.
2. This application lends well to asynchronous participation.
3. User Iriendly
a. Easy navigation oI the Voice Thread site is apparent. Questions can usually be answered
by viewing the Voice Thread step by step tutorials directly on the site that explains
uploading and commenting on documents.
4. Once a Voice Thread account is established, you can comment on anyone`s Voice Thread
when shared.
5. omments can be moderated. Voice or text commenting is possible. For use as a digital
portIolio, comments can be limited between instructor and student, since viewing can be by
invitation.
6. New doodle option is available accompanying voice option. This would be useIul when
trying to emphasize a comment made Ior modiIication.
Weaknesses/Challenges
1. Participants must have a Voice Thread account to comment.
2. Educational Voice Thread accounts are available, but there is a charge associated with this.
In instances oI limited classroom use, this may be possible Ior some teachers to use supply
Iunding or secure grants to cover this expense. When using the educational version, it is
secure and not visible or comment available to the general public. You must be a member oI
a deIined group to participate. This would work iI you are using this tool Ior more than one
proiect.
3. Establishing an account and learning to navigate are lessons and obiectives that need to be
added to the course.
55lication in the Online Classroom
Voice Thread can be used peer to peer Ior collaboration, or instructor to student to
explain and demonstrate a particular concept. When used to create a digital portIolio, written and
voice comments are viable and useIul. ModiIications can be made to each piece as desired. Re
evaluation can then take place. omments do not seem to be limited in length, so an articulate
description as required is possible.
Learning Objectives using a Voice Thread
Publish an online portIolio.
Demonstrate the ability to use both voice and written comments to be added to the requirements
and obiectives oI Digital Photo Editing course.
Introduction and Uses for Zoomerang
Zoomerang allows the user to prepare and deploy simple surveys and polls. While the
survey Iormat could easily be used Ior short quizzes, this tool is not ideal Ior a larger exam. The
Iree basic version permits up to 12 questions and 100 possible answers per survey/quiz and an
unlimited number oI responders. This program is ostensibly aimed at the business market but
also seems to be aIter the social online world as well, since they push that one can distribute
quizzes/surveys over Facebook or Twitter. Zoomerang
Benefits
From an instructor standpoint, Zoomerang is a quite reasonable choice Ior short quizzes or
surveys oI learner knowledge, simple biographical inIormation, opinions, etc. It could also be
used by learners in collaborative activities to obtain research inIormation or in any number oI
other creative ways.
1. asic version is Iree. Pro and Premium versions cost but come with additional Ieatures.
Pricing
a. Users must provide an e-mail address and password to register.
b. One can elect not to receive promotional email Irom the company during the registration
process.
c. Respondents do not need to register.
2. Web-based
a. No download necessary.
b. Program, prepared surveys and results can be accessed Irom any Internet ready location.
3. User Iriendly with good Help and Tutorial Iunctions:
a. Searchable Knowledge ase
b. Demo videos and quick start PDF guides, accessible additionally through page relevant
'Survey oach links
c. ustomer support including user log screen oI reported cases and responses, with search
Iunction.
d. A community Iorum is under development.
e. Links are provided to a company blog and pages on Facebook and Twitter.
4. Features: Tour
a. asic version:
i. reate 'surveys or 'polls. Detail here is Iocused on the survey style, which could
be used Ior quizzes as well.
ii. Allows Ior multiple answers, can speciIy up to x number or exactly x number.
iii. Allows Ior an open response answer option - 'Other, please speciIy.
iv. Has option oI entering answers in a single text Iield and having program divide them
into separate boxes, based on line entry.
v. Spell checker available in question entry mode.
vi. Option to disable the back button, so that an answer can not be changed aIter
respondent has moved on to the next screen.
vii. Display oI question number is optional, deIaults to included.
viii. an permit taking the survey multiple times, and can change that option later in URL
deploy mode only. (Not when deployed by email, Facebook or Twitter.)
ix. Surveys can be printed.
x. an manually close out survey. Preprogrammed close date/time available in Pro and
Premium versions only.
xi. A previous survey can be used to build a new one or as a template.
xii. an delete surveys.
xiii. Folders allow Ior organizing multiple surveys and there is a search Iolders Iunction.
xiv. Surveys can be deployed using:
1. Zoomerang`s email or using one`s own email client server and supplied URL,
a. Zoomerang`s email Iunctions include an address book with:
i. Import and export
ii. Multiple list options
iii. ustomizable Iiltering, based on word search, Ior any user speciIied
criteria, (eg. Sex, hair color, pet preIerence, or Iavorite instructor`s name.)
2. y embedding supplied code in a webpage.
3. Directly Irom site to Facebook or Twitter.
xv. A sample size calculator is available as are various research tips, webinars and
videos.
xvi. Results can be shared via common social media and sharing extent can be protected
and speciIied. DeIaults to non-shared. One can use either Zoomerang`s own branding
Ior sharing results or speciIy one`s own, including a link to a website, perhaps the
course home page.
xvii. Includes automatic simple thank-you message.
xviii. Has an opt-out link included automatically at the bottom oI every survey, permitting a
respondent to 'opt-out, blocking Iuture surveys Irom the user, though not Irom
Zoomerang. (This Ieature is not possible iI the URL Ior the survey is sent through an
email client/server other than Zoomerang`s.)
b. Pro or Premium version:
i. Questions can be designated as mandatory,
ii. Randomize answers
iii. Use skip logic to base next question on current answer as well as a screen out Ieature
that stops the survey short oI the end iI an answer shows respondent is not appropriate
Ior the particular topic oI enquiry.
iv. Set an automatic close date when survey is deployed.
v. Download survey to Word or PDF.
vi. Print or export results to Excel, view and customize charts and graphics oI the results,
download as a presentation to MicrosoIt Power Point or Adobe PDF, and Iilter and
compare results by question.
vii. ustomize survey end pages such as thank you, survey closed, screen out or over
quota.
viii. Incorporate an email option Ior respondents to contact you
ix. Automatically redirect to a URL when survey is completed, again perhaps a course
home page.
x. Has a 'kiosk option that resets the survey Ior the next respondent - useIul at trade
shows, conIerences or possibly in I2I classrooms.


Weaknesses/Challenges
1. This program is really aimed at social and marketing surveys and polls but could relatively
easily be used Ior simple quizzes, polls and research.
2. asic version is limited to 12 questions and 100 possible answers per survey. Not unusual Ior
Iree versions oI such programs.
3. There is no option to print or export results in the basic version.
4. asic version does not permit editing a survey once it has been deployed. Editing is possible
in the Pro and Premium versions except Ior surveys deployed by email.
5. In the results display, all times are shown as PaciIic Standard Time. Time should be
displayed Ior the viewer`s zone oI choice.
6. There is no provision Ior collaborative or cooperative use in design or administration, short
oI shared user and password inIormation, a possibility iI used in asynchronous mode.
7. In some screens, display is shiIted oII to the leIt and portions could not be read. This was the
case in both Internet Explorer and FireIox and is not present at other websites. (Appears to be
an issue Ior their website although I would be interested to hear Irom others on the matter.)

55lication in the Online Classroom
As a simple, relatively easy to use survey/quiz/polling tool, Zoomerang could Iill several
roles in the online classroom. An instructor can use these tools to evaluate the learning success oI
an activity or to gather basic biographical or background inIormation Irom students, or even
personality type inIormation, all useIul in setting up small groups Ior collaborative work.
Learners can use the tools to gather inIormation Irom their peers or outside sources (bearing in
mind the human subiects requirements Ior research) Ior personal or collaborative proiects. Since
the program is completely online, asynchronous collaboration is possible although not within the
conIines oI the program itselI, iI one person is designated to handle the actual input and
collection or iI a neutral user account and password were established. (This is not the best
practice Irom a security standpoint and might not be permitted under the terms oI service.) With
the ability to deploy by embedding code, these would be excellent additions to other tools such
as blogs or wikis.
Learning Objective for Zoomerang
Learner will be able to successIully create a simple survey or poll Ior inclusion in
reIlective blog and will appropriately interpret the response results.


All three tools, Wiggio, Voice Thread and Zoomerang, have multiple potential uses, both
Ior instructors and learners. Wiggio and Voice Thread have considerable collaborative and
cooperative use potential, and although Zoomerang is not ideally set up Ior multiple users, and
surveys and polls are not in oI themselves normally viewed as particularly collaborative or
cooperative processes, this tool could be incorporated in lessons that are. With a Iree usage
option Ior each, these are excellent choices Ior inclusion in any Web 2.0 toolbox.