This is a preliminary version of the online tool with test versions of the video material
Communication tools
Communication tools are software or platforms designed to facilitate interaction, collaboration, and information exchange among individuals or teams. These tools enable real-time or asynchronous communication, supporting group work by providing features like messaging, video conferencing, file sharing, and collaborative editing.
Case studies in vocational education and training often involve group-based problem-solving that mirrors real-world workplace scenarios. Communication tools play a vital role in enhancing collaboration, interaction, and productivity during the case study process. Incorporating communication tools and platforms into vocational education and training is highly effective for teaching case studies digitally, particularly in the exploration and resolution phases.
In the following video, we list some of these tools.
Personal reflection
How can communication tools help the interaction between the students in smaller groups?
Communication tools can significantly enhance interaction among students in smaller groups during case study work in vocational and educational training (VET) by fostering collaboration, organization, and knowledge sharing. Here’s how: facilitating real-time discussions, enabling asynchronous collaboration, supporting collaborative research and problem-solving, enhancing task management and accountability, encouraging peer feedback and consensus building, and streamlining presentation and reporting.
Which of the mentioned tools that help the interaction between students in smaller groups are free of charge (at the time of writing)?
Fully free tools or tools with robust free versions:
- Zoom (limited time for group meetings)
- Google Meet (limited time for group meetings)
- Discord
- Skype
- WhatsApp
- Moodle Forums
- Google Classroom
- Google Docs
- Microsoft OneNote
- Jamboard
- Trello (limited features)
Paid or limited free versions:
- Miro, MURAL, Mentimeter, Poll Everywhere, Monday.com, Blackboard Collaborate
For optimal use, consider pairing free versions of tools based on your specific needs (e.g., Zoom for meetings, Google Docs for collaboration, and Trello for task management).