TOP 10 TOOLS 2008
Jonathan Lecun

My name is Jonathan Lecun and I am an EFL teacher based in Cardiff in Wales. At present I work as an online teacher for UK Teachers Online, a web based English tutoring service which I set up three years ago. We use a combination of VOIP and webconferencing technology to deliver our online classes to adult students in one to one classes. Prior to this I was a classroom EFL teacher with around 13 years experience. I am now developing the use of Ning at English Online to supplement our work online.   My website is www.ukteachersonline.co.uk  and my blog is at ukteachersonline.blogspot.com

Jonathan's Top 10 Tools as at 22 March 2008

1. Ning: We achieved more with Ning in 3 months than we could achieve in 2 years with Moodle. It has helped us bring about a genuine learning community among our students and has enriched their experience considerably. (referred to this from your site)
2. Firefox: There is no contest among web browsers. This is a Swiss Army Knife of a browser that gives the richest possible browsing experience. The range of add-ins is wondeful.
3. SMART Notebook: In my opinion, the best whiteboard available for online use and invaluable to us in presenting our online classes. Far better than whiteboards in webconferencing packages because of the degree of control and range of options you have.
4. GoogleDocs: A great way to create a channel of communication between teacher and student between classes. Useful for writing assignments and feedback between classes.
5. Skype: Indispensible part of the delivery of online classes. A truly wonderful program with high levels of consistency and performance.
6. Luminotes: The simplest and easiest wiki available. Students have been able to use this without any explanation - alternatives have been too complex. (referred to this from your site)
7. Blogger: It may not be the best compared to other tools but I find it simply works and meets my blogging needs down to the ground.
8. Google Calendar: A free way for us to organise our schedules, we share our timetables among teachers and students to make the lesson timetabling clear.
9. Audio Record Wizard: A no nonsense way to record audio online during classes. A smaller and more simple interface than Audacity.
10. Object Dock Plus: A wonderful program launcher - sits on the side of my screen invisible to students during classes and makes the organisation and running of a complex set of programs smooth and efficient during online classes.