Class Communication Options: Making the Most of Web-based Tools

Tools such as Blackboard and D2L are available today for managing class information and keeping students up-to-date. However, as technology improvements increase the number of tools available on the Web for all purposes, instructors have opportunities to improve class communication by using tools that were not designed specifically with education in mind. These Web-based tools are seen as options that can either augment or fully replace the use of tools that universities make available for instructors. This paper first outlines three broad class communication categories: content distribution, asynchronous communication and synchronous communication. With each categorization, tools are discussed, and URLs associated with the tools are provided. This article contributes to the growing literature on Internet technologies that can be leveraged to improve the classroom experience.