5 Creative Ways to Use the VLE’s Collaborative Notepad App

The Collaborative Notepad app app is a tool for co-writing texts—be it for presentations, reports, or collaborative dictations. But this tool also includes features that might inspire you! Let’s take a closer look at this gem from the Edifice VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) suite.

The Collaborative Notepad app (available in the Premium pack of the Edifice VLE) is a collaborative and educational word processor designed to teach students teamwork and collaborative thinking. However, it’s much more versatile than it seems and might even inspire some creative uses! Here are a few concrete ideas to help you get started with this app.

Idea 1: Group Work on Documents

Collaborative Notepad is primarily a tool for collaborative text creation. It’s ideal for teaching students how to co-author documents, such as group presentation, whether they’re in groups of two people or even more. Each student contributing to the text is assigned a unique color, allowing the teacher to track individual contributions.

The app focuses solely on text processing, enabling students to concentrate on writing. They can work simultaneously and exchange tips and feedback through the built-in instant messaging feature, “Chat.” Teachers can also use this chat to assign tasks or provide additional instructions. This efficient setup helps students learn teamwork—and compromise!

For high school students, Collaborative Notepad supports collaborative learning of advanced writing skills, such as essays or text analyses, in preparation for exams. For instance, a history teacher at a vocational high school used Collaborative Notepad to help students preparing for the baccalaureate, the French high school graduation exam, develop their writing skills.

Idea 2: Assisting Students in Writing Texts on Collaborative Notepad

Writing is a skill that takes time to master. Some students may need extra support to achieve this task. The app enables teachers to provide tailored guidance for each student.

Create a Collaborative Notepad, design work instructions, add outlines or tips, and let students complete the document. You can guide them step by step using the chat feature or by leaving instructions directly in the app. Teacher corrections will appear in a color assigned to the teacher, helping students easily identify and understand their errors.

Idea 3: Teaching Students to Use Word Processors Safely

Using a word processor is a vital skill for students starting in middle school. However, many online document editors lack robust security features for younger users working together on an assignment. With the Collaborative Notepad app in the VLE, collaborative documents are created and shared securely, accessible only to students and teachers within the school based on specific permissions.

Like other word processors, Collaborative Notepad includes standard text formatting features such as font selection, size adjustments, and text alignment. Its standout feature? The “Dynamic History” function, which shows the text’s development stages. The finalized document can also be saved in a shareable format.

Idea 4: Creating Collaborative Dictations on Collaborative Notepad

Dictation remains a valuable exercise—even in digital form! Collaborative Notepad is an excellent tool for creating collaborative dictations. Record the dictation text using the VLE Studio, create groups of students, and assign each group a section of the dictation to write in a Collaborative Notepad.

For each part of the dictation (subject, verb, complement), group members can comment on the author’s spelling choices. The teacher can also track the history of these orthographic discussions. This approach is exemplified by a teacher using our VLE ONE platform.

Idea 5: Co-Writing Meeting Minutes

If students can collaborate on the app, so can the teaching staff! The app becomes a time-saving tool for co-writing agendas or meeting minutes. Share the Collaborative Notepad with teaching staff and personnel, allowing everyone to contribute.

Do you have other creative uses for the Collaborative Notepad app in our VLE? Don’t hesitate to share them with us!