TOP 10 TOOLS 2007-2009

Matt Lisle

Matt Lisle is an Instructional Technology Specialist at the University of Texas Libraries in Austin, TX.  Matt blogs at Matt Lisle - Learning with Technology

Matt's Top 10 Tools for 2009 (as at 2 January 2010)

Top 10 Tools for Working and Learning 2009

Matt's Top 10 Tools as at 11 March 2008

1. Meebo - Embeddable chat widget that you can add to web pages or to other widgets (as we did with our Facebook App and iGoogle gadget)

2. Diigo - Sorta like del.icio.us, but enhanced for teams. I've created Diigo groups for several work teams to use as our social bookmarking tool.

3. PMWiki - Free, open-source wiki software that is highly customizable.

4. Joopz - Joopz allows you to send and receive text messages via the web (or Outlook if you pay. Great way to communicate w/ groups of people via SMS.

5. Bitstrips - Can't say that I've used this very much since I just discovered it yesterday at SXSW, but I can see that this might be useful for informal learning. It's a social network built around a comic strip generator tool. Create strips and embed them in your blog or website.

6. OpenSearch - Search standard for Firefox 2+ and IE7+... and hopefully more browsers soon. Easily create customized search plugins for Web browsers.

7. LibX - LibX is a tool created by Virginia Tech Libraries that enables you to create a Firefox toolbar for your local library. Features include searching, autolinking, embedded cues, etc.

8. SendToPhone - Firefox add-on that enables you to highlight text, click a button, and send the text to your cell phone.

9. ClipMarks - Firefox add-on that lets you clip text, images and videos from inside Web pages then save, blog, email and print to share your "clips" with others.

10. Zotero - A Firefox browser add-on that "helps you collect, manage, and cite your research sources." Great for conducting research.

Matt's Top 10 Tools as at 10 August 2007

1. Firefox rules, IE drools! Love the tabs, love the extensions, love the speed, love the customization, love it.

2. Google Reader + Google Notebook + Gmail + iGoogle + Google Docs & Spreadsheets + Google Search   I lumped all these Google apps into one. Google Reader let’s me digest a ton of info quickly. Google notebook gives me an easy way to collect and organize thoughts. Gmail is an e-mail app, chat tool, to-do list, idea collection box, and more in one. iGoogle is my home on the web. Docs and Spreadsheets is an easy way to collaborate. Google search is google search.

3. WordPress - Been a long time blogger user. In 2004 I created my first (and most visited) blog using Blogger. However, I’ve recently been converted to Wordpress. Much easier to use. Nice features. Pretty templates. Only downside is that you can’t customize the HTML without paying. OK with me for now.

4. flickr - Nice way to keep the fam updated on what I’m doing. Also a good learning tool. For example, I’m preparing for a move to Austin, TX and have used flickr alot to learn more about my new city. It even gives good real estate advice! Be sure to visit my flickr page

5. Captivate - Captivate has lots of in’s, lots of out’s, lots of what have you’s. But once you figure those out, it’s a great tool

6. Word / Excel / PowerPoint + Microsoft Sharepoint - If you find yourself working for a company or school that is Microsoft-centric, the Office suite and Sharepoint can be pretty useful. Specifically Sharepoint, which can be used for discussion boards, wikis, blogs, document sharing, and much more. I’ll be posting soon about how I’ve used Sharepoint as a knowledge management system at work (subscribe to my blog so you don’t miss out).

7. TextPad - Great text editor for html, css, etc.

8. iTunes - Podcasts! I love the This American Life podcast!

9. Adobe Connect - We use Adobe Connect for synchronous online training, as well as virtual collaboration. It’s kinda pricey, but the best web conferencing software I’ve used. Very versatile and dependable ... pretty too!

10. Facebook - Great way to keep up with e-learning pros, read about your long lost friends, show off your new wife, learn about a new city, etc. Now that they’ve opened their API, there are tons of useful third party apps. I’ve been able to integrate my “recommended reading” from google reader, my wordpress blog, and flickr photos. Add me as a friend!