1. Organize group calls with Google Hangouts
You likely use Skype and FaceTime for audio and video calls quite often. But if you and your classmates have already grown accustomed to using Google Docs, then Google Hangouts, which is integrated into it, will be more beneficial for your team.
You will have the ability to add up to 10 classmates to your group video chat at the same time via Google Hangouts. This is impossible to organize for free via Skype.
2. Share your workspace on Google Docs and Dropbox
Google Docs and Dropbox are tools that are used mostly for collaboration between college students. Google Docs can help you and your classmates to work on one document at the same time in real time. You won’t need to have any office software for working on your team project. Use Dropbox to store all data related to your courses and share it with other fellow students in your class. As a modern student, you probably have a lot of gadgets that let you access all your files saved on Google Docs and Dropbox. If you haven’t used these irreplaceable tools yet, you should do so immediately.
3. Get updated news through Yammer
Yammer is a social network that connects students outside the classroom. You will be able to get updated news from other students and teachers, not spending lunchtime looking for your professor in the hallways of your gigantic school. A lot of colleges, universities, and business schools have already integrated Yammer for their students because it enhances student engagement and improves their academic performance. If there is nothing like that in your school yet, try a free plan to collaborate effectively with other fellow students in your class. You will get used to Yammer quickly because the interface looks and feels similar to Facebook.
4. Communicate with your classmates via Slack
Try Slack and you will learn why it’s one of the most effective team chat tools for your class. How so? It’s free for an unlimited number of students and amount of time! Chat rooms are arranged by hashtag topics (channels). Select channels, private groups, or direct messages to chat with peers from your team. You can integrate Slack with almost any tool or app that you fancy, such as those we described above. If you do not have access to Slack apps on your laptop, tablet, or phone, you can send quick messages via a webpage.
5. Use Trello for student projects
Trello is a helpful visual tool for tracking tasks and managing projects. It will give a simple visualization of all your tasks in 3 columns: To Do, Doing, and Done. You will be able to see exactly what you have left to do, focus on what has to be done soon, and set due dates for your projects. Members of your team can add their cards with attachments. They can also post feedback, and comments, and they will be able to cast their votes to contribute to your cooperative decisions as well. Another good thing, you can check and edit your to-do list while online or offline via desktop, tablet, or smartphone. By using Trello, you can collaborate with your classmates and complete your projects on time or even faster!
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