One of the skills known as XXI Century Skills[1] is collaborative work[2]. This skill, which implies harmonic cooperation towards a common goal, has in turn a close relationship with others that are also considered in this new skill curriculum: the use of ICT[3], the mastering of a second language, and global conscience, this last one involves the respect for diversity and tolerance.

In some occasions, the use of technology to drive forward collaborative work has awakened opinions that have led to consider these type of incursions as impersonal or de-personalizing. However, the incorporation of technological resources into collaborative work adds components that could not be obtained in any other way:

1. Technology shortens distances between individuals, allowing for cooperation between people regardless of their geographic location.

2. Easy, safe and versatile information transmission provides not only different means of communication, but also powerful instruments for the creation and sharing of content that add value to the ever growing “knowledge society”[4].

3. The use of different technological resources that support distance cooperation favors productivity, which has an impact in the development of societies and learning economies[5].

Now, what are the 1:1 electronic learning environments[6]? According to the “Implementation of 1:1 electronic learning environments Program” from Intel® World Ahead, they are environments where: “…children can develop the knowledge and skills that they need in the 21st century in order to triumph in the current economy, which include familiarization with media, critical thinking, abstract problem solving, collaboration, awareness about global issues and familiarization with civic duties. In 1:1 electronic learning environments, technology is used to create a 1:1 relationship between students and their learning environments. A 1:1 learning environment includes a portable computer exclusive to each student and to the teacher, which can be used at home and in the classroom”[7]

This skill and knowledge development that results from the implementation of 1:1 electronic learning environments is not only achieved through the use of student or teacher computers, but above all through the right combination of technological resources which, on top of a personal computer, might need classroom and Internet management software.

As an indispensable part of these type of classroom management tools, Intel® Learning Series[8] provides teachers and their students with a solution that, without a doubt, takes the experience of collaborative work in 1:1 electronic learning environments beyond their expectations: SMART.

SMART Teacher and SMART Student convert the classroom into a space where interactivity is the pattern that sets a difference in the teaching and learning processes. SMART applications give teachers and students tools that allow:

a) collaboration (chat[9], workgroup creation, capability for sharing and transferring files);

b) order and discipline in class (program and content blocking, student work supervision, student activity history backup);

c) evaluation of students’ skills and knowledge;

d) class planning;

e) content creation;

f) and access to a variety of subjects that teachers and students can perform.

It is therefore important to remark on the need that modernity imposes upon us to incorporate the use of technological resources that make use of XXI Century skills (such as collaborative work) an experience that, besides being stimulating, can be seen as nurturing, current and fun!