Skylight

=**Skylight**= Skylight is a set of web based tools that was designed to help businesses manage projects and to promote collaboration and multi-tasking. Many of its features are designed for businesses, but some of the Project Management components could be useful for students who are working on group projects.

Resource Links
Skylight Homepage Skylight Twitter

Strengths
-Able to customize desktop to show the widgets that are most useful for each user. -Has many resources in one place (Calendar, ability to upload files, ability to create tasks for each project, ability to assign tasks to group members) -Allows collaboration on projects even if users are able to be in the same place -Allows users to log the time spent on each task, so can help students see how much effort they have put into a project or task. -Can upload Google Docs files -Can upload many types of files including Word, Excel, pictures, and videos -Can tag most elements including contacts, files, and tasks so they can be easily sorted or organized

Weaknesses
-Designed for business use so many options do not apply to educational uses (budgeting, invoices, etc.) -The many business based options could be confusing to students, especially younger students -Once Beta period is over, the free account will only allow 1 active project and 2 team users. In order to have more users a monthly paid package will be required. -Some tags are built into the system and cannot be removed (although others can be added to the same group) -Must have a Google, Yahoo, or email account to sign up, which may limit use for younger students

Opportunities
-Students would be able to work on projects collaboratively from home -The organization and ability to assign specific tasks to specific group members and to set due dates for parts of each project would help students keep track of the work that needs to be done for big projects. -The document, file, and video uploading capabilities would allow students to share work without having to send emails to all of their group members. -The commenting feature would allow group members and the teacher to give feedback on documents, files, or videos.

Threats
-Any member of the group can add a contact and give them access to parts of the Skylight.

Ideas for the Classroom
-Collaborate on group projects on many topics -Divide up tasks for group project and set pacing for when parts need to be done -Upload files for peer review and commenting -Teach about tools that businesses use in the real world and how people in their jobs often have to work with many others to put together a project or product