Basecamp is a project management and communication tool. On Basecamp, you can set up a virtual space to organize group projects. Each space features a number of tools such as to-do lists, schedules, file sharing, and group chats (campfires) to support team work. Basecamp is an excellent tool for promoting and supporting collaborative group work. It can also increase accountability, time management skills, communication, and productivity among group members.
Price | Free (For Education K-12/University) |
---|---|
Learning | Social constructivism |
Ease of Use | ★★★★★ |
Privacy | ★★☆☆☆ |
Accessibility | ★★★☆☆ |
Class Size | Unlimited |
Login | Yes |
ISTE*S | Empowered Learner, Global Collaborator |
COPPA/ FERPA | No COPPA/FERPA policy found. Check with your school IT administrator. |
This application was rated as 5 stars (excellent) for ease of use. The application is both straightforward and easy to jump into for most beginners, but also provides clear instructions, FAQs, and tutorials for users who may need more support when first using the app.
Although Basecamp outlines the steps the company takes to protect its users information and details the location of where the information is kept, the app does not give specifics as to what data is collected. Users are able to provide as much information as they feel comfortable with when signing up for the application, however, if they want to gain access to the free educational version of the app they need to provide information about the school system they are involved with in order to gain an educator license for the app.
Although the app features support for tools such as screen readers, there are no specific tools built into the application to help with accessibility. There is also no general accessibility statement provided by Basecamp.
The SAMR model was developed by Dr. Ruben Puentedura to examine how to successfully integrate technology into the classroom. Here is an example of how Basecamp might fit within the SAMR model:
Students can use Basecamp’s “campfire” feature to discuss a book as they read it, the “Docs & Files” feature to post their annotations of the book, and the “To-Dos and Schedule” feature to stay organized and not fall behind in the reading.
Students can post their math homework using the “Docs & Files” feature so teachers can review their work. They can also ask peers questions using the “Campfire” feature if they are stuck on a problem. Students can also use the “To-Dos and Schedule” feature to increase time management by tracking the assignments they have, and visually see the amount of time left before the assignment’s due date.
Students can role-play the process of running for the President of the United States. They can use Basecamp to organize their campaign. For example, students can use the to-do feature to outline their campaign actions, use the “Campfire” feature to host rallies and debates, and upload campaign posters and advertisements to their project space.
Follow these steps to get started:
Eickholt, J., Jogiparthi, V., Seeling, P., Hinton, Q., & Johnson, M. (2019). Supporting project-based learning through economical and flexible learning spaces. Education Sciences, 9.
Hanif, S., Wijaya, A. F. C., & Winarno, N. (2019). Enhancing Students’ Creativity through STEM Project-Based Learning. Journal of Science Learning, 2(2), 50–57.
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