Tools for team working
Freely available tools that you can use to communicate and collaborate with your team
In this post, we look at some of the freely available tools that you can use to communicate and collaborate with your team. What you decide to use is up to you.
1. Slack
Slack is a collaboration tool that you can use as the communication channel for your project. You can organise your Slack workspace by channels for group discussions on particular aspects of the project and it also allows for private conversations between team members. Slack replaces the need for email and all activity happens within the channel.
What will I need?
One member of the team should set up a Slack workspace and invite other members of the team via email.
2. Teams
Teams is similar to Slack but it is part of Office 365. You can communicate in channels with your team, work on shared documents and make group video calls.
What will I need?
Contact your tutor who will be able to set up a Team for you and add all members of the team.
3. Trello
Trello is a visual project management and collaboration tool. You can use Trello to organise your team’s work through a system of boards, lists, and cards. #1minuteCPD has a few posts on Trello to get you started. Trello is very versatile and can be set up in any way to suit your team.
What will I need?
All group members will need to set up an account on Trello. One member of the team should create a Board and invite the other team members to the board.
4. WhatsApp
It’s likely that you are all familiar with WhatsApp. Although it’s something that you might use on a daily basis, it is a powerful tool for team working. 1minuteCPD has some posts to help you get the most out of this tool if you decide to use this for your team. Some useful ones include:
#490 WhatsApp: Useful settings [3/4]
#495 WhatsApp on a desktop [4/4]
#456 How to Group Video Call on WhatsApp
What will I need?
Your group's phone numbers and someone to create the group.
5. Google Drive
Google Drive is a file storage area and an online collaboration tool. You can create documents and synchronously work with project team members. You will also have a full revision history and your work auto-saves. if you all have a Google account, you can use Google Hangouts to make calls.
You can create Google Docs, Sheets and Slides (like Office Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and access them on the go and across devices. You can comment and chat on your docs.
What will I need?
You will need a Google account. A member of the group should create a folder on their Google Drive and invite the group to the folder with their Google account, making sure they have access to Edit the folder. Members of the group should then add the folder to their own Drive.
6. Dropbox
Dropbox is also a file storage area and an online collaboration tool. You can create documents and synchronously work with project team members. You will also have a full revision history and your work auto-saves.
Dropbox uses Office 365 for online collaboration, which you have access to as a student.
What will I need?
You will need a Dropbox account. A member of the group should create a folder and invite the group to the folder using their Dropbox account details. Members of the group can then add the folder to their Dropbox account.
Are there any tools that you use for teamwork that we have missed? If so, please pop them in the comments section below.
