In this topic I want to consider some useful services and programs that for the second year have been helping my group in everyday learning life.

Nothing fundamentally new, but with examples of use and more or less detailed instructions. You can forward the article to friends so that they try to do something similar in their groups.

1. Dropbox

Dropbox gave us the opportunity to exchange files - announcements, training materials, photographs, projects, as well as store our files and have access to them from anywhere.
First, one person registered an account on Dropbox.com and installed the application on his computer, and the rest registered using his referral link, thereby increasing the free space to 6 gigabytes.
After that, a shared folder was created and all registered referrals (as well as those who already had an account) were given shared access to it.
This is done through the web interface:


Then the invited person confirms the invitation, and the same public folder appears in his explorer:


“Side” pluses:
Not everyone has a printer - for example, those who live in a hostel do not always have a printer.
A person is selected who has a laser printer, and who is not too lazy to do this.
Then the “Print” folder is created, where everyone can add a file, a picture, a schedule for printing.
The “appointed” person prints and brings the next day, taking a fee for this (eg 2 rubles per page)

2. Skype

Everyone should have a skype account.
Skype gave us the opportunity to conveniently communicate, quickly broadcast news, etc., as well as communicate with the whole group in voice, and even make our own radio (emulated the speaker output as a microphone)
In addition to the usual chat, Skype has the ability to create a group chat.
It looks like this:


How to create a chat:
1. Click the "New" button above your contact list.
2. Select a new group conference.
3. Select people and click OK
. 4. Everything, you will see a tab of your chat. I recommend adding it to your bookmarks.

Side Pros:
You can quickly transfer files to each other, or you can use Dropbox
If the majority of the group uses this, then in addition to the group dialogue, you can always write to someone privately.
If someone deleted the file, it can always be restored via the web interface.

Associated Cons:
If one gets infected with the virus, it can be transmitted through Dropbox to all classmates. (This is if you use the Dropbox program. There is no such problem through the web interface.)

Google calendar

Someone, having registered at http://google.com/calendar, creates a group schedule taking into account even-even weeks, fills in the audience, teacher and time. Then, in the settings, gives access to this calendar to all users.
You can see the result here .


Optional: you can embed a calendar on your site so that you can access it at a convenient address for everyone, or use the shortener links.

“Side” pluses:
You can provide anyone with a calendar in iCal or XML format for synchronization with a mobile phone.
You can print a convenient schedule for the month.
SMS reminders
All birthdays can be added to the same calendar.

Vkontakte Group

Everything is accessible to everyone here, and nothing to write about. Therefore, I will write how we use it:
1. You can post general photos, videos.
2. Create a page with phones, emails, etc. all classmates, closing it from strangers.