TOPIC: Collaborative and Interactive Communication Platforms

When I first heard of this topic, I admit, I had to look up what collaborative and interactive meant, as far as social media goes. To my knowledge and findings, there wasn't one set definition. Instead I looked up the words separately and came up with my own definition:

The process of two or more individuals working together on a common project through the use of some form or social media or other digital technology or platform.

 With that in mind, I started thinking about all the platforms that I use at work and school and how they help me collaborate.

One of the biggest ones that I think most people use, is Google Docs or Google Drive. This platform falls under my definition because it allows me and my coworkers to work together online and to see real time updates of each other's progress.

This article from Tech Radar explains the benefits of using Google Docs for work:

• Share presentations with your friends and co-workers.
• Upload and convert existing presentations to Google Docs format.
• Download your presentations as a .pdf, .pptx, or a .txt file.
• Insert images and videos, and format your slides.
• Publish and embed your presentations in a website, allowing access to a wide audience.
• Draw organisational charts, flowcharts, design diagrams and much more right within a presentation.
• Add slide transitions, animations, and themes to create show-stopping presentations.

I also love Google Docs for class assignments. We've all had those large research papers that we have to work on and being able to both access the same document is beneficial for many reasons. I love not worrying about coordinating times with a group member, and just hoping on the document for homework. It makes getting projects done a lot easier.

The last feature I love about Google Docs, is the "track changes" functionality. This allows whoever is editing the document, to show exactly what changes they made. I use this function at work all the time to help me improve my writing and see better way to say something.

"Tracking changes is is most useful when (for example) supervisors are editing drafts for students to then improve so they can produce a post-feedback edition of their work if they wish (or they can be required to do so as part of the overall assessment process)." 

                                                          -  Alt Article

In conclusion, I love using Google Docs for a myriad of reasons and can't wait to see what other ways it can be used.