ABOUT:

Etherpad is an open-source internet writing software which allows you to write in a document alone, or with someone else in real time. You can customize your own Etherpad to suit your needs, or you can use one someone else has set up. You can use plugins to expand your customized Etherpad, if you choose. Because of the availability of plugins, you can install a real-time chat box, or a draw(art) feature, and so on.

Supported

PC, Mac

Pros

• Allows real-time collaboration so you don’t have to travel to meet someone to work on a paper.
• Open-source, which means it’s not owned by a big corporation who is trying to sell you everything and harvest your data.
• Saves your paper on the cloud, so that even if your computer crashes, it still exists on the internet.

Cons

• If you don’t own your own computer, you can’t customize or download Etherpad.
• It may be tricky for new users to know how they might want to customize Etherpad.

EXAMPLES

Below is a tutorial video for Etherpad. I have placed a tutorial here, rather than a student example because of the fluid nature of Internet writing software.

Uses

You could use Etherpad for group work of all kinds, for all classes that ask you to write anything. You can also use it to brainstorm any other kind of project, draw up an outline, or a plan.