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Collaboration using cloud-based tools

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can describe the benefits and challenges of online collaboration.

Key learning points

  1. Cloud-based tools store documents online and can be accessed from a range of digital devices connected to the internet.
  2. Cloud-based tools allow multiple people to work on the same document at the same time.
  3. Changes made by one person can be seen instantly by others.
  4. Using shared documents reduces the need for multiple versions of the same file.
  5. Comments and suggestions can be used to share ideas and feedback, but online collaboration requires clear communication.

Keywords

  • Collaboration - working together on a task or project

  • Cloud-based tool - an application or a service accessed over the internet, rather than installed locally

  • Real-time editing - when multiple people can simultaneously work on and edit the same digital file, with all changes appearing almost instantly

Common misconception

When I change something in an online shared document, it won’t affect anyone else’s work.

In online collaboration tools, edits are often visible straight away, so changes you make can be seen by others and may overwrite or change their work.

Teacher tip

Some common collaboration tools are listed in the lesson, but it may be worth asking students to generate their own lists from their own experiences.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
(Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
What does the word collaboration mean?

working alone
working online
Correct answer: working together on a task or a project
sending messages

Q2.
Which devices could you use to go online?

a book
Correct answer: a tablet
Correct answer: a smartphone
a paper notepad

Q3.
Which of these needs the internet to work?

a notebook and pen
Correct answer: cloud-based tools
a calculator

Q4.
Which of these is a method people use to communicate online?

talking face-to-face in person
writing a note on a paper pad
Correct answer: email
drawing a picture

Q5.
The internet allows people to send messages and share files o .

Correct Answer: online, nline

Q6.
When communicating online, it is important to be k and respectful.

Correct Answer: kind, ind

6 Questions

Q1.
Cloud-based tools are accessed over the i rather than being installed on one computer.

Correct Answer: internet, nternet

Q2.
When people work together online from different places, it is called online _____________?

working
Correct answer: collaboration
communication
messaging

Q3.
What does real-time editing mean?

editing a document very quickly
editing without saving
Correct answer: changes can be seen instantly by others
editing only at school

Q4.
What type of communication is it when you don’t get an instant reply?

Correct answer: asynchronous
synchronous
real-time
delayed

Q5.
What type of communication is it when you need an instant reply?

asynchronous
Correct answer: synchronous
real-time
instant

Q6.
Match each word to the correct description

Correct Answer:collaboration,working together on a task

working together on a task

Correct Answer:cloud-based tool,an app used online

an app used online

Correct Answer:real-time editing,changes appear instantly

changes appear instantly

Correct Answer:asynchronous communication,messages replied to at different times

messages replied to at different times


To help you plan your 7 digital literacy lesson on: Collaboration using cloud-based tools, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...