TOP TOOLS 2008
Michelle Gallen

I'm a Belfast-based e-learning consultant. I've been in copywriting and e-Learning since 1998. I've created a wide range of e-learning - from globally-deployed courses for Macromedia to niche Irish-language products - across various media - mobile, web, tv and online.   Michelle blogs at Liquid e-Learning]

Michelle's Top 10 Tools as at 12 October 2008

1. Blogger - I learn before sharing, and I learn by sharing at www.liquidelearning.com.

2. Twitter - Although Plurk has more features, Twitter has critical mass. I've been twittering personally (@michellegallen), which for me is a quick creative or meditative release. I'm about to use twitter for Irish language learning with my new word a day service (@talkirish). Follow me professionally at @SearchFindLearn.

3. TalkIrish - I'm hugely interested in language learning, but have always struggled with what's out there. So I've thrown my time, money and brainpower into creating an Irish language-learning social network. Irish is an endangered language, so it's great to feel like you're working on something that matters. But it's also amazing to work freely on creating the e-learning materials I want to try out, rather than creating content to a client spec. We're launching our games and services gradually over the next few months. I hope they become great tools for learning!

4. iPod – iQuiz - This is a cool little quiz app for iPod that lets a user play trivia quizzes on just about any topic. But what's really great is you can easily write your own quizzes with up to 1000 questions. Again, I'm using this for my Irish language learning. A learner can test their vocab anytime, anywhere, and because it tracks your performance, you can see yourself improve.

5. iPod – Photos or Any Mobile phone - Photos
   I've created small flashcards for my Irish language learning service that can be viewed on any iPod or mobile. They not interactive and it's hardly high-tech. But it makes it easy to quickly refresh your memory of new vocab – and language learning requires these small but frequent bursts of exposure.

6. Linkedin - Recently linkedIn has become a learning tool for me. I've connected to loads of interesting people, and can see how someone's career has progressed, what they're working on, or what they need help with. However, if you're nosey AND lazy, check out cvgadget.com – a search engine that scrapes every last bit of professional info about a person and brings it together in one spot. Bad for people like me, who have an unusual name…

7. NHS Direct - During a recent illness, I've found NHSdirect invaluable. Google a medical condition, and you'll end up swamped by streams of endless and conflicting information. But visit nhsdirect, you'll get short screens of information, broken down into topics like symptoms, treatment, diagnosis. What's best about this information is that it arms you well to enter the NHS. You'll be aware of what's available, what your doctor might suggest and what the accepted view of your medical condition is. A fantastic resource.

8. iGoogle - The usual... news, feeds, widgets and more.

9. gMail - Pulls together my emails, and unlike my memory, has a powerful search facility and never forgets.

10. Google calendar - Keeps my various lives in order. Tracks what I've done.

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Michelle's Top 10 Tools as at 14 January 2008

Currently, I'm using grant funding to research and develop an Irish-language learning product. I also work with clients across the UK in developing e-learning materials.  I'm hugely interested in mobile learning in all its guises (phones ... ipods ... beermats). I'm keen to experiment on how social networking software can help teachers teach students, and students teach teachers.   My secret wish is to go back to college and study neurology. This is why I should do the lottery. Could it be me?

I've divided my tools up to reflect my different working and learning modes…the mobile learning tools I'm exploring at the moment are very cool. The only problem is the screen size – did you read Donald Clarke's post on how bigger screens mean more memorisation? I find this reflects my usage of my mobile – the emails I check on my phone fall out of my head more easily, the web pages I browse don't stick so well, but an exception to the rule is slovoed – my new favourite learning tool! I guess part of the trick of memorisation and learning on the small screen is the way you engage with the content. It's certainly easier to be engaged by a cinema screen than my wee Nokia N73...but when I'm really interested, the stuff sticks."

Online PC - and all for my learning or sharing learning (all free!)

1. iGoogle - for my news, feeds, widgets and more

2. gMail - for pulling together my emails, for powerful search, for never having to delete

3. Google calendar - for keeping my several different lives in order, for being able to share them

4. Blogger - for making me learn before sharing, for making me learn more by sharing,

5. Google analytics - for letting me know who reads what and for how long - tells me my content is or isn't working

6. Wikipedia - it's where I start. For everything.

Offline (not free)

7. MS PowerPoint (or Adobe Captivate) - quick, easy e-learning - add as much or as little as you want...get it out to a huge variety of people...easy to update, easy to share...

Mobile learning (Basic equipment)

• Nokia N73 (packed with great learning tools like a camera, audio record device, mp3 player, web access, 1gb storage)
• iGo stowaway bluetooth keyboard – a fullsize keyboard which folds up small enough for my handbag!

8. Light notepad (free) – great for taking notes, creating basic docs on the go – I'm even writing a novel on light notepad!

9. Opera mini (free) – lets me surf the net quickly and easily
10. Slovoed dictionaries ($12.95 - $64.95) – fantastic for on-the-go language learning! Here's why:
    
    Learning in real-life's important. So having a dictionary is vital when you're in a foreign country. It's even better if that dictionary is on your mobile and allows you to
    1. pick a word and listen to an audio file for pronunciation guidance
    2. read example phrases of the word being used in different contexts
    3. create flash cards
    4. review flash cards with a quiz
    5. personalise the dictionary with your own vocab

What I want for mobile learning
A mini-office suite that works with my keyboard.  I want to be able to edit my Word, Excel and PowerPoint docs on the go!

Have tried Office Suite 4.5 from Mobile Systems, Inc - but it doesn't work with my keyboard   Want to try QuickOffice 3.0 - but it's $69.95 and no free trial. Sigh.