Communication and collaboration can mean different things to different people. In this instance communication is defined as a mechanism to exchange data and ideas in an effort to help a teacher complete or supplement a classroom function.

In this module communication is not necessarily an attempt to transfer knowledge; it is a means of disseminating information. Applications might include but are not limited to:

- informing students and/or parents of upcoming tests or assignments or instructional communication;

- creating a web page that contains frequently asked questions or FAQs which can be accessed by students and parents;

- using a threaded discussion board to facilitate a virtual classroom discussion.

Collaborative activities can be accomplished without the use of technology, however, this type of traditional face to face collaboration requires the participants to be in the same place at the same time. The use of the tools in this module could enhance the instances of communication and collaboration within the classroom by allowing others who do not share the same time and space to interact with each other whether both participants are located in your school or in another country.

The tools in this module can be used either synchronously or asynchronously depending on your needs. For example, you may use a discussion board to facilitate an ongoing discussion between yours students and a professional in your community. Students can post their questions to the discussion board and the professional can respond to the question in a timely manner at their convenience. Students can work with other students from any place at any time. Through these opportunities to collaborate students will construct their own knowledge and have a greater awareness of global interaction as well as experience the value of connecting with others in the learning process. Discussion board content can be kept for historical purposes keeping the best examples to facilitate discussions in future classes.