What technology allows multiple editors/contributors to build a publication? Bonus points if middle school kids can do it!
April 5, 2010 10:45 AM Subscribe
What [free] technology allows multiple editors/contributors to build a publication? Bonus points if middle school kids can do it!
A large group of kids wants to start a publication. The publication does not have to be online, but there needs to be a collaboration space that allows different levels of editing access.
It's okay if we edit using one platform and create a publication on another.
More bonus points if the platform allows for proofreading or even commenting of works in progress.
Ideas so far:
Wordpress installation (may be difficult to learn for some)
Google Docs (difficult to manage and moderate use)
A large group of kids wants to start a publication. The publication does not have to be online, but there needs to be a collaboration space that allows different levels of editing access.
It's okay if we edit using one platform and create a publication on another.
More bonus points if the platform allows for proofreading or even commenting of works in progress.
Ideas so far:
Wordpress installation (may be difficult to learn for some)
Google Docs (difficult to manage and moderate use)
You need a wiki like MediaWiki or Google Wave for truly collaborative editing.
posted by jeffburdges at 10:52 AM on April 5, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by jeffburdges at 10:52 AM on April 5, 2010 [1 favorite]
PBWorks specifically market their wiki toward educators. They have a free plan that should be adequate for your needs.
Otherwise, Google Sites is one of Google's most underrated products. Docs wouldn't be too bad to use either.
posted by schmod at 10:53 AM on April 5, 2010
Otherwise, Google Sites is one of Google's most underrated products. Docs wouldn't be too bad to use either.
posted by schmod at 10:53 AM on April 5, 2010
Nthing MediaWiki -- it's pretty much ideal for what you're wanting to do. Simple for kids to learn the markup and you should be able to set up a workflow with various levels of access or perhaps just have a staging area for articles in progress and another site to publish to.
posted by jzb at 11:15 AM on April 5, 2010
posted by jzb at 11:15 AM on April 5, 2010
Best answer: Thanks for all the awesome input; here's the solution we're going with and why...
Publishing Work:
We are using a Wordpress installation to publish work. A handful of trustworthy adults and kids will be granted editor and author privileges.
Work in progress will happen in forums, most likely on a pre-established Moodle installation. I think a wiki would be excellent option if not for adults who feel reluctant about the system.
Another note: I was wicked excited about both Google Sites and Adobe Buzzword, but it appears as though I would have to create an account for each user on somebody else's system. It's much easier to manage all those accounts on a system we have better access to (we can reset passwords and import users with ease).
posted by jander03 at 7:46 PM on April 8, 2010
Publishing Work:
We are using a Wordpress installation to publish work. A handful of trustworthy adults and kids will be granted editor and author privileges.
Work in progress will happen in forums, most likely on a pre-established Moodle installation. I think a wiki would be excellent option if not for adults who feel reluctant about the system.
Another note: I was wicked excited about both Google Sites and Adobe Buzzword, but it appears as though I would have to create an account for each user on somebody else's system. It's much easier to manage all those accounts on a system we have better access to (we can reset passwords and import users with ease).
posted by jander03 at 7:46 PM on April 8, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by strixus at 10:52 AM on April 5, 2010 [1 favorite]