Collaboration and Communication Apps Review
App #1 Discord
Discord is a
free voice and text communication application on most mobile and desktop operating
systems. This tool utilizes text, voice, images, and video where users
communicate in separate spaces called servers. Each server contains specific
users as allowed by the server manager (most of the time, the person that
created the server). Within each server, chat groups are set up with topic
titles outlined with a hashtag in a format such as #generaldiscussion. Within
that hashtag is a separate chat-style location where all the server members can access the content. Discord allows users to be updated when something
is posted in a specific hashtag location, or they can silence locations and not
hear from them. Voice channels are also created using a speaker icon and a
descriptive name. To enter voice chat, you click on the location and are
automatically in the voice discussion with any other person currently in that
location. While in voice chat, you also can share images, videos, or even text
chat.
In
addition to seeing the contents of a server, the user can simultaneously be a part of many servers. Usually, each server has been set up for a
specific subject area that the people interested in that topic join. For
example, you might be a fan of a podcast with a Discord server. You are invited
to join that server and participate in all the discussions within that location
specifically for those interested in that subject. You could also add as many
other servers to your list that you would like to follow. You need an invite code to join the server you are interested in.
Discord
started as a very small application that provided voice servers to people who
needed to connect via voice, not the traditional telephone model. It grew into
more of a social application that connects groups of users based on the types
of interests that they have. Within each of these groups, all of the features
are available, and there is also the ability to add custom applications called
robots to servers that can perform user tasks. For example, a robot might greet
each new member with a welcome message or maintain a level of civility by
filtering bad words.
As
the application grew over time, it became a general application with video game
communities which has now given it lots of traction in schools where students
create Discord servers for friends and activities. Unlike texting using a group
message, Discord allows a single user to send a message to an entire server
group simultaneously. They are keeping the whole group up to date on what is
happening. An additional feature also allows students to send direct messages
to one another—all of this is done without knowing each other's phone or
contact information. Essentially you can communicate with anyone that is part
of the server at any time. This has helped students increase the number of
other students they speak with daily. Many students use it for the chat
feature, to post images, and to share videos using this platform.
The
platform does not cost any money; however, they have a paid plan for advanced
users marketed under Discord Nitro. This plan has a monthly subscription cost
but allows users to have additional features such as uploading larger videos
and connecting with their servers more efficiently. As of 2017, Discord reportedly
had 130 million users, but estimates say that in 2022 it will be three to four
times that number, with 25 billion messages being sent monthly.
Teachers
and staff can utilize this as an instructional tool in several ways. By setting
up servers for specific departments such as Language Arts, you would be able to
communicate with an entire department of people instantly. This creates a very efficient
method for all parties to know what is happening. Those that have a stake in what
is being said can communicate, while those that don't can follow along and be
in the know. It is more efficient than email as it allows for quicker communication
of thoughts and ideas amongst team members in a less formal environment, similar
to text messaging. In addition, teachers apricate the ability to use this, so
they do not have to give out their cell phone information to other staff
members. It keeps their text messages confined to the text messaging app while allowing
all of their work items to be handled via Discord Servers. Students can participate
in Discord servers they are invited to, which will enable groups and
organizations to establish a means of communication with those students without
having to share cell phone information regarded as more private by teachers.
Discord | Your Place to Talk
and Hang Out
App #2 Slack
Slack is a potent communication tool
that was created for the business world. Slack was created as an internal tool
in an office place to streamline the communication process between employees
working as teams on projects. They made something called a channel-based messaging
platform that essentially unified the communications process in offices. Like
Discord, Slack originally started as a way for gamers to communicate with one another.
Still, as a result, Slack took a different turn as it saw its impact on the
communication structures of large organizations. Much like Discord, Slack went
from a few users to hundreds of millions of users and a multi-billion dollar
valuation.
Slack
is organized by organizations. You, as an example, might have a slack set up
for an entire school or even an entire school district. From there, separate channels
are created that divide the larger organization into different channels for communication.
This feature has been something that software developers love as they can share
code using Slack between channels and follow along with what each of the teams
is doing. Slack allows team members to direct message each other like a text
message system. The benefit again is that there is no need to exchange phone
information. A large company with thousands of employees can instantly add all
of its HR lists to Slack, allowing instant communication between individuals
throughout the organization. This keeps the private lives of the cell phone
user separate from that of the cooperative texting system. Slack also uses the
@ symbol, which lets users know that a conversation applies to them, and the #
system that automatically creates tags that organize data across teams.
Slack
also has a robust set of addons called slack-bots. Basically, anything that
your organization does might have a slack-bot created to assist you in that
connectivity. These added features to the core functionality of Slack can do
many different things for the organization. As an example there is a slack-bot
that can be used as a digital time card that hourly employees can punch in and
out on. Some slack-bots are realy good at organizing code snippets for
developing software. There are feedback bots, and bots that help keep track of
compliance tasks.
One
of the best features of Slack is the instant feedback users can give on posts.
When you create a message in slack-bot, users can assign icons to that message,
and others can add quantities and more icons. This can be used to poll staff on
what they feel about a particular thing they are working on or get quick feedback
about what everybody would like for lunch. In education, it can get information
from teachers and staff about how they feel about something and help the school
administration measure staff compliance on issues. While Slack is not used very often for
students, it is possible to be a very successful communication tool between
teachers and students. It could easily replace email for that functionality.
Slack has a cost associated with it, making it more of a candidate for an
entire school purchase or even a district to roll out to users. Due to the cost
involved, you do not see students using this independently. It also has the
stigma of being useful for companies, which takes some of the desire away from
students choosing to use it. While Slack is not currently being used in education
much it has extreme potential to ease the burden of email, speed up the communication
process and create better communication between school teacher teams.
Slack is where the future works
App #1 Facebook
Facebook is a general social media
application that has a user base of 2.8 billion as of 2022, according to Statisica
In a research project, 40
parents participated in a study where the group was registered with the social
network Facebook
App #2 Snapchat
Snapchat is an extensive social
network where users communicate in pictures, short video clips, and text
messages. The original development of the tool was created so that snaps
(photos) would show up for a few seconds and then disappear completely. According
to an interview with the Telegraph, Spiegel (Snapchat CEO) stated that this
platform was a hit with younger people because they did not feel their social
media presence could come back and haunt them
With most users under 35, Snapchat has connected
with the youth. This makes it an exciting candidate for use in education. The
purpose of which would be to strengthen and connect better with students where they
are at
Snapchat - The fastest
way to share a moment!
App #3 Calculator+
Calculator+ is an app designed to
look just like a calculator but is a way to hide files, photos, and videos in
private. As the name suggests, this tool seems like a calculator but is a photo
vault separate from the operating system file storage. The calculator even
works like a regular calculator, but when a special code is input, you can find
all of the hidden files. Since the creation of this app, hundreds of apps have
done the same thing. The only purpose of these apps is the subterfuge of hiding
files from others that might use the phone. There is very little research on
such apps and less on the specific purpose behind young adults wanting to
install them. This is left up to the imagination, which probably does not think
that good things are happening with this software. If you are a parent and are
concerned about your child using such an app, the best line of defense is to
speak with them about it so that, at the very least, they know that you have an
idea of what these apps do and the purpose behind them.
Calculator+
: Hide your secret on the App Store (apple.com)
App #4 Omelgle
This is an application that promotes
the opposite of stranger danger. This application is designed and marketed
specifically to connect you to a stranger. The Omegle website markets itself as
a "great way to meet new friends while practicing social distancing."
The app does warn users that they should stay anonymous and stop the chat at
any time if they feel they need to.
The concern with this application
is privacy. Although there is a message to keep your chats anonymous, it is
well documented that you can easily be found using the internet. The IP address
used to connect you to your internet service provider can provide another user
with your city and approximate location
App #5 Whisper
Whisper is
marketed as the Ultimate Secure Messenger and allows users to trade sensitive
information using its encryption technology safely. This app is not alone in
this space, with other apps being marketed under the names SHOUT and Yik Yak. The
goal is to allow messages to be sent over a network without revealing
authorship to other users
Messenger Whisper
(whispermsg.com)
References
Bernabé-Martín, J., & Fernandez-Rio, J. (2020).
Parents' response to a Facebook group in secondary education. Preliminary
data. Null, 29(2), 203-217. 10.1080/1475939X.2019.1703033
Cranford, C. (2022). Whisper App – Phenomenally popular
app with teens and predators. Cyber Safety Cop. https://cybersafetycop.com/whisper-app-phenomenally-popular-app-with-teens-and-predators/
Dixson, S. (2022). Number of monthly active Facebook
users worldwide as of 1st quarter 2022. Statistica. https://www.statista.com/statistics/264810/number-of-monthly-active-facebook-users-worldwide/
G. Fanti, P. Kairouz, S. Oh, K. Ramchandran, & P.
Viswanath. (2016). Metadata-Conscious Anonymous Messaging10.1109/TSIPN.2016.2605761
Khan, R., & Carroll, C. (2017). Snapchat as a Tool for
Medical Education and Opportunity for Engagement. Chest, 152(4,
Supplement), A544. https://doi-org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.1016/j.chest.2017.08.574
Migilano, S.11 Things People Can Do with Your IP
Address. Top Ten VPN. https://www.top10vpn.com/guides/what-can-people-do-with-your-ip-address/
O'Connell, B. (2020). History of Snapchat: Timeline and
Facts. The Street. https://www.thestreet.com/technology/history-of-snapchat