MEISTERTASK
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It's been a while since my last blog. For those of you who just joined; I don't write blogs during breaks, to keep my sanity. I have added new content to my website though, so it may be interesting to take another look!

MeisterTask is a tool that some of you may know from the mindmap tool MindMeister. It's created by the same company, but MeisterTask is quite different from just a mindmap. The tools can be combined though!

MeisterTask allows teams to work together through setting goals, assigning tasks, and tracking progress.

MeisterTask's dashboard, as seen in the picture, shows a quick overview of open assignments, what's in progress, which tasks require reviews, and everything that's finished. Apart from that, the team members, your own accomplishments, and a possibility to add more, is all right there.

This tool can be used especially in bigger collaborative projects. By telling your students to add you to the team too, you can keep track of their progress, and more importantly, of who is doing what.

Requirements
- Internet connection
- Devices
- MeisterTask account

Pros
- Easy to use
- Very structured overview of tasks
- Keeps students motivated
- Allows you to have insight in collaboration

Cons
- Some features (such as bigger files or automatic structuring) require paid upgrades

SKYPE
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Skype is not nearly as well known amongst teenagers as it was a couple year ago, since Facebook, Whatsapp and other apps have taken on similar features. The most lovely characteristic of Skype for education, however, is that no information needs to be shared in order to have a conversation.

Some time ago I used Skype to connect my classroom to a classroom in the USA. We talked, helped each other learn, and interviewed each other. Apart from connecting on Skype, the teacher in the US and I didn't have to be friends on Facebook or contacts on a different platform that provides tons of personal information. Eventually some students started to connect, too. They did so via Skype as well, to ensure privacy and safety.

Besides using Skype to connect people around the world, even within your own country, I found out that using it within your classroom can be very interesting too. Think of a quest where one student has to walk around the school while the student remaining in the classroom has to provide directions. Apart from that, Skype can of course be used for collaboration outside the classroom, fake job interviews, and practising speaking a foreign language. For the latter, being behind a screen truly takes away some of students' fear of speaking.


Requirements
- Device
- STABLE internet connection

Pros
- No personal info needs to be shared
- Works well on all devices
- Students enjoy speaking via their device
- Connects people all around the world

Cons
- Requires stable internet connection

LUCIDPRESS
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One of the tools I just recently discovered is Lucidpress. This particular tool was not originally designed for education, but is adapted in such a way that it's a very useful tool.

The tool, like others, allows you to design magazines, posters, and offers many templates to give a project a great head start. What makes this website more interesting than others, is the fact that it allows students to collaborate online. Both during class as outside of school, they can work on their projects simultaneously. This makes the tool incredibly time efficient.

I personally have used this tool to create my own posters, just to provide my students with a quick overview. Students, however, love to work with it as well. They create the most beautiful magazines with images, texts, and videos they find online. It is important to set your students a time limit and make sure the basic requirements are met. They easily get lost in adding more and more creative elements, while of course learning should be taking place, too.

Please note: The free version is limited in its features and allows you to create not more than three pages per project.

Requirements
- Laptop/tablet/desktop
- Internet connection

Pros
- Easy to use
- No elaborate sign up needed
- Great templates to get started
- Activates creativity

Cons
- More features requires update
- Free version is somewhat limited


Have you ever used Lucidpress? Please leave a comment!

Any suggestions for another ICT tool? Please let me know!