The next time you're given a group assignment for an online class, check out one of the many collaborative tools available via the internet.

These tools make it possible to write a group paper, schedule a calendar, create a timeline, edit a spreadsheet, draw a mindmap, and more. There are even programs that allow users to synchronize multiple off-line projects. Check out the descriptions of over sixty online collaborative tools from this recent Mashable article - Work Together: 60+ Collaborative Tools for Groups.