Tips for Successful Collaboration, Cont. |
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Resources for Collaboration |
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There are a variety of software packages and technological resources
that facilitate collaboration. Until recent years, collaboration
mostly took place in a face-to-face setting. Technology now allows
remote collaboration that is efficient and effective.
Software
Adobe Acrobat. Adobe Acrobat's PDF
format allows anyone to view a document with their free Reader.
The format retains the fonts and precise layout of the original
document. However, as Adobe says, "Acrobat is not just the
Reader!
The Standard version of the Acrobat software allows you to convert
almost any kind of file into a PDF document. You can also merge
several types of files into a single PDF document. You can create
a list of collaborators and track whether input and feedback has
been received from them. You can add different types of annotations
to a document, such as insertions, deletions, custom stamps, sticky
notes, and highlights. If the document is sensitive, it can be
password protected, 128-bit encrypted, or digital signature authenticated.
There is also a Professional version of Acrobat available with
enhanced capabilities to handle complex engineering, scientific,
or design documents. Multimedia can be inserted into these PDF
documents and they are enhanced for precise print output.
For more information about the Acrobat products visit http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/main.html.
Macromedia Contribute. This user-friendly
application allows people to edit or add web pages with a previously
created Dreamweaver MX template. All portions of the page except
for those that will have changing content are locked, preventing
contributors from changing the page's design. A check-in/check-out
system also locks pages that are currently being worked on by
someone else, preventing revisions from being overwritten.
No knowledge of HTML or Dreamweaver MX is required. The editable
regions are clearly defined, and users can run a spell check when
they are finished. Contribute is the first tool of its kind and
allows many more people direct access to a site to add content.
For more information about Contribute, visit http://www.macromedia.com/software/contribute/.
Microsoft Project. Microsoft Project
is a sophisticated project management tool. Resources, tasks,
budgets, personnel, and deadlines can all be tracked. Visuals
such as Gantt charts or PERT charts can be generated to communicate
the progress of the project to team members and help the manager
keep things on schedule.
For more information about Project, visit http://www.microsoft.com/catalog/display.asp?subid=22&site=11199.
IdeaFisher. This is an incredibly powerful
brainstorming tool. It harnesses our associative though processes
and provides a wealth of related words, ideas, and questions.
First you type in a word or answer a question. Then IdeaFisher
provides you with numerous synonyms and related ideas. You then
select an idea or word that is appropriate and resubmit that for
more ideas. There are also many modular plug-ins for various professions
to tailor your idea sessions further. This software is highly
acclaimed by many creative professionals.
For more information about IdeaFisher, visit http://www.ideafisher.com/.
Inspiration. Inspiration is an excellent
creative thinking tool for kids. It helps them generate ideas
and organize, categorize, and prioritize those ideas — all
in a visual format.
For more information about Inspiration, visit http://www.inspiration.com/.
Web/Telecommunications
With technological resources available to us, collaboration need
not take place in the same location. Communication can take place
synchronously (real-time) or asynchronously (communication and
responses are delayed). There are advantages and disadvantages
to each.
Synchronous communication is better for brainstorming, in which
rapid idea generation is important. Real-time synchronous communication
is also better for a series of short questions or comments. Condensing
this dialog into a short period of time is more efficient than
waiting several hours for a short answer, and then sending another
question. Modes of synchronous communications are
- Telephone (2-way or conference calls)
- Chat or Instant Messaging
- Video Conferencing
Asynchronous communication is better for longer, thoughtful communications.
Without the pressure of someone waiting for a response, you can
take the time to write exactly what you have in mind and carefully
revise it for readability. This is also an appropriate venue to
submit drafts of your collaborative project. Team members can
review the document when they have time to give it 100% of their
attention. Modes of asynchronous communications are
Summary |
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In creative fields such as written and visual communications,
collaboration is an essential part of almost every project. To
collaborate successfully, participants need to have good interpersonal
communication skills, know how to constructively resolve conflicts,
generate ideas, and use technology effectively.
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