Solvr: the free, private, outline-style group brainstorming / discussion tool

Solvr (http://a.freshbrain.com/solvr//) is a a free, private, collaborative outlining tool with a lot of potential in the classroom and elsewhere. I heard about it from Edna Sackson, a teacher in Melbourne, Australia (she is @whatedsaid on Twitter). Here’s her blog post about the tool. Below, you can see what a Solvr outline (one she created) looks like:

Solvr’s power lies in its simplicity. There is no signup/registration, the interface is clean and intuitive, color is used effectively to visually separate information. It’s the kind of tool that doesn’t need any explanation, you just set it up, share the URL, and get to work. I like the integrated voting system, too, though it can be ‘gamed’ simply by reloading the page and voting again.

Unfortunately, Solvr’s simplicity is also its Achilles heel. Not only is it completely anonymous, but, any user can edit/delete any other user’s contributions. So, the potential for shenanigans is substantial. That said, I see lots of potential classroom applications for this tool…

• True collaborative, simultaneous whole-class discussions about an issue or topic (especially involving a distant class). I’d suggest students include some sort of identifier (first name+last initial or initials or network ID number, for example) and just explain to them that they are responsible for what they write and any changes they make. You know your students best and can decide if it’s something they could handle. I predict that once they see how easy and fun it is, they’ll want to keep using it, and peer pressure could work to the teacher’s advantage.
• Small group project planning
• Collaborative story writing
• Science fair idea discussions (one per teacher/student) – easier than email

From an educator’s perspective, Solvr could be very helpful too…

• PLCs (Professional Learning Communities) could use Solvr to brainstorm issues or approaches relating to their area of study.
• Faculty meetings could use Solvr as a digital ‘Parking Lot.’
• Unconferences could use Solvr to propose and rank sessions.
• Teams could use Solvr to coordinate units of study or special projects (or just figure out lunch plans on a Friday afternoon).
• Event planning (Field Day, Class Trips, etc.)

Solvr is a service with enormous potential. It’s early Alpha software, meaning it is actively being worked on. It could stop working, change dramatically, or cease to exist at any time. If you are going to use a service like this in a lesson, you need to have an alternative ready Wallwisher comes to mind, but it’s a very different animal.)

In any case, check our Solvr and decide for yourself!

Hope this helps,

-kj-