World+Crossing

=World Crossing=

Forums on just about any topic can be found everywhere on the Internet. Some have become essential tools for sharing information and solutions to problems. Peer- to- peer Internet searches often produce more timely and precisely focused information than Internet search engines, and the group format makes it more likely that someone will have a response. In this way information is shared directly from the person who has it to the person who needs it. Some forums are more social in nature, and participants are drawn to them because they hold similar interests. Not every tool will fit the needs of a particular group. World Crossing ([|http://wc1.worldcrossing.com] ) can provide some interesting features that may be of value to you. First of all, it is free, and does not require installation of software on your computer. The forums can be public or private. Members can communicate in chat rooms in real time, or in the discussion area, which can be formatted for threaded messages or linear conversations. In addition, all members get a personal email box for sending and receiving mail. (The privacy policy states that your e-mail address or other personal information about you will not be provided to any third party.) There is no limit to the number of participants, nor is there a limit to the number of discussions and messages. Forums, message boards, and chat rooms can be added to your website. Other useful features are new message tracking which keeps track of which messages registered members have read, and usage statistics which keeps track of the amount of activity in the forum. Soon to be added is email notification of new replies.
 * Introduction of Tool: Its uses and benefits**

Although World Crossing offers an array of tools, an upgraded option is available. World Crossing is based on Web Crossing software, both developed by the same company, Web Crossing, Inc. Web Crossing products are used by technology companies, general business, associations, non-profit organizations and educational institutions who want to create online communities. It includes message boards, forums, blogs, mailing lists, polls, Wikis, brainstorming, social networking, or other collaboration tools, and is priced according to custom needs and usage.

World Crossing certainly offers features that will suit the needs of most users. To cover expenses, banners are displayed within all hosted forums. However, the banners are not intrusive. Web Crossing, on the other hand, essentially offers an entire toolbox in one integrated application. Since prices start at $65.00 per month, it is used mostly by large organizations and businesses.
 * Weaknesses and Challenges of the Assessment Tool**


 * Example of Application of Tool in an Online Classroom**
 * Peer-to-peer exchanges - Synchronous through chat rooms, and asynchronous in discussion areas and email.
 * Peer Writing - Participants can contribute to a piece of writing and collaboratively edit content at one location.
 * Collaborative problem solving - Participants can work in groups to solve problems. This increases the likelihood that someone in the group will be able to provide a solution.
 * Collaborative research – participants share research resources.
 * Project Presentations - Participants work on group projects and collaboratively present projects.
 * Peer review – participants engage in the peer review process by providing suggestions for the improvement of classmates’ ideas submitted to the collaborative forum.
 * Sharing of Resources - Participants share learning resources.
 * Professional Development – Provides the opportunity for participants to extend their learning through the inclusion of other professional experts in the collaboration.
 * Private Forums- structured to accommodate a particular discussion or project.
 * Public Forums – provides for collaboration with other forums which can have more timely information than that of typical Internet searches can provide.
 * Learning Objectives**


 * Students will engage in a peer review process by providing suggestions for the improvement of classmates’ project ideas submitted to the collaborative forum.
 * Students will share research resources in the collaborative forum.
 * Students will present final projects in groups determined by topic and grade level.

World Crossing is a free product which offers many features that support peer-to-peer collaboration. The fact that it is free and does not have to be downloaded onto a computer makes it accessible to all at any time from anywhere. In the true spirit of collaboration, information can be shared. Online "resources" which are barely concealed commercial enterprises are not present on this site, as they are on many others. Participants should remember that public forums are open to view by anyone. However, private forums are an option.
 * Final Thoughts**