Review on Doodle.com

Screencast of Doodle.com created by QuickTime Player on Mac (<--- click to watch)

on my Mac it is higher resolution than on youtube ... not sure why)

Doodle.com is a web-based tool that requires an internet connection, an email address, a way to connect with others (facebook, twitter, or email addresses), and details on a scheduled event (date, time). You do not need to have any special plugins or software for it to work. Doodle can work as a productivity, collaboration, communication, feedback, or networking tool.

Doodle.com can be used as a scheduling tool and a sort of calendar. However, it is mainly to see when others are available to meet for anything from a meeting to a date. It creates a sort of poll that you can then send out to others in order to know if/when they are available for whatever you are planning. You can select any date and time and there are other options available if you have an account or if you pay for the service. However, the free, non-sign-up options are great and very easy to use. The people you want to invite for the event will receive via email, facebook or twitter a link for them to follow and vote depending on their availability. Once they do, you will receive some notification and can then schedule your event when most people are available. It can also be synced with your other scheduling/calendar applications.

1. Go to Doodle.com and start scheduling an event. You can watch an example and you can sign in or create an account with facebook or google, or email account.

2. Create an event easily and fast. Add the title of the event/poll, add the location and description, your name and email address.

3. Once you've created the event,

4. Choose the days you want to include in your poll.

5. Then, choose some times that are convenient, make sure you have several times available.

6. Then you can choose either Basic Poll, without any options, or you can pull down for settings (you must be signed in for this option).

7. If you want to choose a setting, then click on the pull down menu.

8. Once you have made your choices, choose to either send the invitation yourself or have Doodle send it (must have an account for this).

9. The link will be sent to your email address and you can send the link provided in the email to your participants (or copy/paste from the website itself).

10. This is where the link will take the participants and they can vote for the time and date they choose.

11. Once they submit their vote, you will receive a notification.

12. You can see your participants' votes and choose on the best date and time to meet.

I created the event of studying at the coffee house. I can see myself using something similar when I want to connect with my study groups in my graduate classes. I can also use this with my students to connect for group work and assignments. They can use this with each other in order to schedule project dates and times, due dates, and meeting times. Since it is a web based tool and not a specific calendar it can work with anybody anywhere. This can be used as collaboration tools between schools and between countries (as long as you know time zones) and can be used as a management tool and can tell you when someone has finished a task. I have seen this used in my job as well as my church to schedule conference meetings and virtual meetings that are for several people in several places around the world.

The advantage is that it is an online tool and can be used anywhere by anyone who has an internet connection and a computer or smart device.  This is very friendly and with just a few clicks, you can schedule events and can answer a poll.

The disadvantage might be that it might seem like it can take place of your calendar, but it is another tool, not a calendar like some are used to.

I would recommend this tool for its ease and friendliness as well as its potential as a very usable tool for our teachers and students.