TOP 10 TOOLS 2007 & 2008
John H Curry

I am an Assistant Professor of Educational Technology at Oklahoma State University.  My research interests include the integration of technology into teaching and learning (specifically the effects of Web 2.0 technologies) process, reduction of computer anxiety, and the validation of instructional design theories.  My blog can be found at effectivedesign.org

1. Facebook  - Still, by far, the undisputed number one. Last year I wrote: “I’ve posted about my love of Facebook before. But look, we teach these technology integration classes and we tell our students to find out what their students have and work from there. Well, where are my college undergrads? Facebook. Since I’ve started requiring my undergrads to add me as a friend, I’ve had more communication with my undergrads. It’s been crazy, actually. Students who NEVER would have gotten a hold of me before, are now writing on my wall just to say, ‘Hey Dr. Curry! What’s up?’ I love it.”
2. Wikispaces - New to the list. I’ve started using wikispaces with both grads and undergrads to promote community knowledge building. They’re eating it up. Plus, it helps that it’s FREE!
3. Voicethread  - Again, new, and FREE. I’ve had students creating and commenting on each others’ projects. Nice work, easy tool, good fun.
4. Google - Same as last year: “I’m talking just the search engine itself here. They must have the greatest bots in their servers, because is there anything you can’t find on Google? Seriously. When was the last time you heard someone say, ‘Yeah, well, I yahoo’ed it last night . . .’ or ‘I ask.com’ed it last night . . ..’ But what about, ‘I Googled it last night . . ..’ Enough said.
5. del.icio.us  - Again, same as last year (but with updated stats!): “I’ve posted about my use of del.icio.us bookmarks as well, and I keep going. Now, I don’t use them as much as my friends Trey Martindale (who, as of this post has 1400+ bookmarks) and Chris Duke (currently 1400+ bookmarks), but I do use them. I currently manage two accounts. One is for my personal use, and the other is a set of links for our EDTC 3123 (pre-service teacher technology) course.”
6. Desire2Learn - This one ought to be interesting with the new BlackBoard is a legal monopoly ruling. Last year I wrote: “So, yeah. Oklahoma State just migrated to D2L last Spring semester, and let’s just say the transition hasn’t been an easy one. However, the tool does have an impact on my students’ learning so I’ll list it. If anyone wants my take on D2L, you can ask me and maybe I’ll post about it.”
7. MyLabSchool - This one is new, and I’m LOVING it. MyLabSchool is something we have our students buy with the textbook (Teaching and Learning with Technology) we use in the undergrad course. It has an EXCELLENT lesson plan builder, and even better Skillsbuilders (job aids to teach the tools). Totally worth every penny.
8. Meebo - Another new one. It’s an all in one, web-based IM client. I have my AIM, GTalk, Yahoo! IM, and MSN IM, all open at once. It’s proved to be very convenient. (But I need to remember to log in more often!)
9. Garage Band - Back again. Last year I said: “Quite simply, I use Garage Band to record the podcasts I use for my classes. For my undergrads, I record podcasts to cover the basic chapter concepts and to give the online students the passwords to the quizzes. They have to listen to the podcasts to be able to take the reading quizzes. For the grads, I use them in somewhat the same way, but mainly to drive discussion on theory articles. I have found them extremely useful, and Garage Band is what gets me there. You can find them on our department website.”
10. iTunes - This one goes with GarageBand. Last year I explained: “We set up an iTunes account for the students to be able to download the podcasts. Search for EdTech@OSU.”

John's Top 10 Tools as at 6 September 2007

1. Facebook
2. Google
3. Google Reader
4. Garage Band
5. iTunes
6. Google Scholar
7. del.icio.us
8. Wink
9. Blogs (in general)
10. Desire2Learn