Etherpad is a web-based word processor that allows people to work together in really real-time. Although it was purchased by Google, the code was made available for use, so we have seen the appearance of a number of clones, e.g TypeWithMe.
- Website: www.etherpad.com
- Cost: Free (open source)
- Availability: Online (now download code)
- Top 100 Tools 2011: 74=
- Top 100 Tools 2010: 50
- Top 100 Tools 2009: 71=
- Top 100 Tools 2008: -
- Top 100 Tools 2007: -
Comments from those who selected Etherpad as one of their Top 10 Tools in 2009
- My students LOVED using etherpad for collaborative editing activities. I have blogged a lesson in which I used this tool at http://yoursmarticles.blogspot.com/2009/05/collaborative-editing-through-etherpad.html Students uploaded a writing assignment that they were working on and collaboratively edited with another classroom in this virtual space. Etherpad also allowed me to have guest editors participate in the process. Mary Howard
- for “real” real-time collaboration Stephanie Horden
- Realtime collaborative text tool. Students can write, edit, compare points of view, have online debates. I get some students putting the account into the past tense, others adding positive bias, others adding negative bias – all at the same time. I also use it during exam leave for students to leave questions for me to answer – this is better than email because the other students then get the benefit too. Russel Tarr
