FlipGrid is a tool that can support online collaboration and one that has been frequently used in my online courses at Iowa State. This is a video platform or a screen share and students can share their insights in a video and make it feel more personable rather than typing a discussion reply.
Wakelet is a website toll that can be used for collaboration but is versatile in its uses. This can used for collaborative projects where the group can add any and all resources to the website and make it work for their specific needs. This tool is good for learners spread out across the world as anyone in the group can add information at anytime. This link can then be shared publicly at the completion of the assignment.
This tool is becoming a popular way for online collaboration of educators and students. The way you can add GIFs, videos, and customize your sticky note it is beneficial for students to design something that meets content standards and represents their personality. It makes their writing make it feel more like the human behind the screen.
This has been a popular way for students to collaborate for sometime but has become the "norm" for many online courses. It has become so common for instructors to give a prompt and then say do a reply and then reply to 3 others. It is key that the prompts and instructions that are given are detailed, engaging, and allow learners to collaborate and not just completing the task. They should look forward to discussion posts not just being a task.