Exploring Online Collaborative Workspaces: Conceptboard

I have to admit, Conceptboard (Link) is quite an intriguing online collaboration tool! It offers a fresh perspective on online collaboration and discussions, providing features like video calls and chat interfaces similar to Zoom, but with even richer and more powerful functionalities.

But! When asked if I would use Conceptboard for teaching? My answer is... Haha, I've decided to keep you in suspense for now. Let me give you a brief introduction to this tool first.

• Interface Introduction:

I really like the simplicity of the main interface, which prevents me from feeling overwhelmed. Clicking on 'New Board' takes us to the next interface--the design interface. Even its design interface is quite clean and straightforward. The top features basic tools; the bottom right corner offers functions like video, voice, and chat boxes; at the bottom are some auxiliary options; on the left side are prompts to insert files, create new sections, insert building blocks... and some tools like reminder alarms and task lists. Whether you're the creator or a participant of a board, you can enjoy these features (though there may be some differences in functionality between editors, reviewers, and readers).

• Conceptboard Templates:

I'm sure you've noticed the bold and red 'building block' I highlighted! This is one of the most powerful features of Conceptboard, in my opinion. Many of its templates can greatly enhance team discussions' efficiency! It offers various templates for different discussion purposes, such as 'brainstorming,' 'product development,' and even 'icebreakers.' However, it's worth noting that many of these templates are more tailored for business project discussions and aren't specifically designed for education. But I have to admit! The abundance of interesting templates ignites my desire to explore this tool further. Plus, the beautiful design of each template seems to say: "What are you waiting for? Use me to kickstart your team discussions!"

Here, I'm sharing two introduction videos from the Conceptboard official channel. I hope they give you a more visual sense of the tool's charm.

• Getting Started in 6 Steps: (Resource from YouTube)

• 10 Ways to Insert Content: (Resource from YouTube)

Finally! I'll address the initial question: Will I use Conceptboard for teaching?

Not necessarily, but I would recommend this practical tool to students for their group discussions. However, I personally prefer the face-to-face dynamic of in-person 'brainstorming,' unless circumstances dictate otherwise, such as a resurgence of the pandemic (just kidding) or when students are on holiday but still need to complete group assignments...

The same scenarios apply to teaching; I would only resort to online teaching as a last method, or if I were an online teacher by nature. Additionally, in the Chinese educational context, class sizes often range from 30 to 40 students or more. If I were to have all 30 to 40 students simultaneously enter a collaborative group where everyone has the opportunity to speak and freely add comments (you know...managing remote classrooms is much more challenging than in-person ones😢), I imagine my Conceptboard interface would become chaotic. Of course, students might also remain silent and not participate in the collaboration, leaving my Conceptboard as blank as the beginning.

The significance of using this collaboration tool lies in enabling everyone to participate in discussions and express their opinions! Conceptboard is a good online collaboration tool, but I believe it may be more suitable for teams with fewer members. If I were teaching small classes, it would be more possible for me to use with my students...

Well! This is the end!

I hope today's sharing has been helpful to you. Let's continue to work together to improve the quality of teaching!✌

(All screenshots from Conceptboard)