Free Helpful Tools for UniversitiesBy: Elizabeth Cooney, Clay Howe, Shayne McIntosh, Yemi Osho

Skype, Tumblr, Twitter, Google Docs

0 Four of these social websites are free tools available to consider for a university project

0 Increase communication with students0Gives opportunity to share information0Helpful updates for classes, different university services,

sporting events, club events, and current events

What Can Skype Do?0 Free video calling0 Instant Messaging 0 Screen Sharing0Call any Skype contact0Group video calling0Voicemail0 Send files, any documents, videos, or photos of any size0Video call someone with the Skype application on their

phone

Why use Skype?0The evolution of technology and how we use it has made

landline phones obsolete 0Phone conversations or video conferences are preferred

over e-mail because they are more personable0Collaborate in real-time with colleagues or professors to

save time and boost productivity

Tumblr0Microblogging0Allows students to share ideas of thoughts on academic

activities and current events0Helps students and staffs to collaborate0University interaction through posting texts, images,

videos, links, quotes, and audio on Tumblr blog

Twitter0Notifications of university events0Players and coaches can use Twitter to let others know

their thoughts0 Selected students can use the team’s twitter account to

tweet live thoughts from games0Helpful for different clubs or organizations to use

Twitter (cont.)0 SU Twitter accounts can follow each other for easy

access with keeping up with things0Has a “Who to follow” suggestions, so people can see

what other related accounts are out there and start following SU related accounts they may have missed

0Retweeting allows users to forward messages to other friends and followers

0Twitter “lists” gathers groups of accounts that are related

Google DocsImportance:0Quick access to shared files0Allows for group collaboration, even over long distances0Decreases need for attachmentsPotential Environments0Education0Business0Research

Google Docs (cont.)

Features0Simultaneous editing functionality0Ownership settings/security features0User-friendly interface

In Conclusion…..0Great for public relations0With the evolution of technology these free tools are

now being used via smart phones instead of just being used from desktop computers and laptops

0They need to maintain their free sources to stay on top of their game