TOP 10 TOOLS 2007, 2008 & 2009
Rick Lillie

Rick is an accounting professor at California State University, San Bernardino.  His research focuses on accounting and business education, with an emphasis on design of technology mediated teaching-learning methods and techniques.  He teaches courses in face-to-face, blended, and online formats.

Rick has a blog: Thinking outside the box, this will give you some insight into his research and teaching interests.  While Rick's overall research interest is instructional design, his niche deals with technology tools and ways that technology tools can be combined in order to create teaching-learning outcomes.  He has shown instructors how they can use technology tools to make CMS/LMS/VLE systems such as Blackboard do far more than they were designed to do.  For example, he has demonstrated how multiple asynchronous tools can be combined in order to create synchronous-like outcomes.

Here is a list of several technology tools that Rick uses to create instructional materials, to communicate with students| and colleagues, and to enable collaborative activities

Rick's Top Tools as at 17 March 2009

Many of my comments about the tools tell how I combine tools to get desired results.  For example, last Friday, I combined Skype + Yugma to deliver a guest lecture to a graduate class at a Rhode Island university.  Most tools in my list are Web 2.0.  My emphasis is now on how to combine Web 2.0 tools to create teaching-learning experiences.

1. TokBox is a free Web 2.0 video messaging service.  TokBox enables me to record up to a 10 minute video message.  TokBox gives me a URL link that I can include in an email message.  TokBox also provides code with which to embed a Flash player in a website or web page.  TokBox includes a unique feature that enables video-conferencing with up to six people.  My students use this feature when working together on projects.  TokBox provides an API that I have included in Blackboard.  This feature enables students to send me a TokBox video message directly from Blackboard.  At this time, TokBox does NOT include a video recording feature.  When I need to record a video conversation, I use SightSpeed (see #2 below).
2. SightSpeed is a Web 2.0 hosted video messaging service that I use to record video messages that can be up to five minutes in length.  SightSpeed gives me a URL that I can include in an email, as well as, html code that I can use to embed a Flash player in a website or in an Announcement in Blackboard.  SightSpeed enables me to record a video conference with another person.  I use this feature to record interviews, which is a unique way to bring a guest speaker into a course.  SightSpeed understands the importance of privacy in academic communication.
3. Skype (v4.0):  The new version of Skype is awesome.  The audio and video are both greatly improved.  Plus, the text messaging feature is significantly improved.  Combine Skype (v4.0) with Yugma and you have a “killer application” that challenges the best of WebEx, Adobe Connect, or GoToMeeting.   Last week, I made a virtual presentation for a university class in Rhode Island.  I am in California.  We used Skype to setup the video-conference connection with the instructor in Rhode Island.  I used Yugma (Skype version) to share my desktop with the other class.  The instructor projected his screen to the front of the class.  He turned his webcam to face the class so that I could see and interact with participants.  Everything worked great.  It was free (great price).  This was an interesting way to bring a “guest speaker” to a traditional classroom setting.

4. Yugma (latest version) is an outstanding, Web 2.0 web-conferencing tool.  It’s free and puts services like WebEx, Adobe Connect, and GoToMeeting to shame.  It also works within Skype.  Soon, Yugma will include a feature that will enable you to save an online conference to a hosted, streaming file.  This new feature will provide a truly unique way to create a streaming lecture or tutorial that goes beyond the current capabilities of static screenshots plus embedded soundtracks.

5. VoiceThread is a Web 2.0 hosted service that takes slide-type presentations to a whole new level.  It is easy to create presentations with either audio or video support tracks.  VoiceThread makes it possible to record “live annotations” while recording a presentation.  The end result is a streaming presentation that greatly improves instructor presence.  VoiceThread creates a warmer teaching-learning experience.  VoiceThread has made several major improvements to the service.  Soon, VoiceThread should be fully ADA compliant.

6. Google Docs is a Web 2.0 technology tool that enables collaboration.  A great feature is the ability to save a document in a variety of formats including Adobe Acrobat’s .pdf format.  It’s free and can be used with other Web 2.0 tools to empower the collaboration process.  Google’s service includes Google Docs, Spreadsheets, and Presentation.  Excellent collaboration tool.

7. Zoho Creator and Zoho DB and Reports work together to provide a complete Web 2.0 database tool.  Together, the two tools provide just about everything that Microsoft Access offers plus ease of use.  Use Zoho Creator to create your database.  Import data into Zoho DB & Reports to crunch and analyze data.  Both are simple to use, web-based, and you can share your database with others, both privately and openly.  I am using Zoho Creator and Zoho DB & Reports to build two databases for research projects.  So far, everything has worked extremely well.

8. Flowchart.com is a free (and fee) Web 2.0 flowcharting, diagramming software service.  It does about everything that other flowcharting software (e.g., Visio) does.  Multiple people can work on a flowchart diagram in real time.  This is a great way to collaborate.  Tech support is outstanding.
9. Mindomo is a Web 2.0 mind mapping program. Mindomo offers both free and pro versions. While not as full-featured as Mind Manager Pro v7 or v8, the Mindomo Pro version enables you to exchange mind map files with Mind Manager. My students use Mindomo to develop solutions to complex problems and to organize online research.

10. Capture Wiz Pro is a great screen capture tool that is easier to use than any other screen capture tool that I have seen.  It costs about $20 and is worth every penny.  I wanted to round out my Top 10 List with a practical tool.  Capture Wiz Pro is the greatest screen capture tool that I have ever worked with.  I use this tool with tools #1 through #9 in my Top 10 List.

Rick's Top 10 Tools as at 8 August 2008

1. TokBox is a free Web 2.0 video messaging service.  TokBox enables me to record up to a 15 minute video message.  TokBox gives me a URL link that I can include in an email message.  TokBox also provides code with which to embed a Flash player in a website or web page.  TokBox includes a unique feature that enables video-conferencing with up to six people.  My students use this feature when working together on a project.

2. VoiceThread is a Web 2.0 hosted service that takes slide-type presentations to a whole new level.  It is easy to create presentations with either audio or video support tracks.  VoiceThread makes it possible to record “live annotations” while recording a presentation.  The end result is a streaming presentation that greatly improves instructor presence.  VoiceThread creates a warmer teaching-learning experience.

3. Google Docs is a Web 2.0 technology tool that enables collaboration.  A great feature is the ability to save a document in a variety of formats including Adobe Acrobat’s .pdf format.  It’s free and can be used with other Web 2.0 tools to empower the collaboration process.

4. Mindomo is a Web 2.0 mindmapping program.  Mindomo offers both free and pro versions.  While not as full-featured as MindManager Pro v7, the Mindomo Pro version enables you to exchange mindmap files with MindManager.  My students use Mindomo to develop solutions to complex problems and to organize online research.

5. SightSpeed is a Web 2.0 hosted video messaging service that I use to record video messages that can be up to five minutes in length.  SightSpeed gives me a URL that I can include in an email, as well as, html code that I can use to embed a Flash player in a website or in an Announcement in Blackboard.  SightSpeed enables me to record a video conference with another person.  I use this feature to record interviews, which is a unique way to bring a guest speaker into a course.  SightSpeed understands the importance of privacy in academic communication.

6. Zoho Creator is a free Web 2.0 database tool.  It is not as full featured as Microsoft Access; however, it is simple to use, web-based, and you can share your database with others, both privately and openly.  I use Zoho Creator to create and maintain a 400+ research article database that supports my writing efforts.

7. Yugma is an outstanding, Web 2.0 web-conferencing tool.  It’s free and puts services like WebEx, Adobe Connect, and GoToMeeting to shame.  It also works within Skype.  Soon, Yugma will include a feature that will enable you to save an online conference to a hosted, streaming file.  This new feature will provide a truly unique way to create a streaming lecture or tutorial that goes beyond the current capabilities of static screenshots plus embedded soundtracks.

8. Stickies is a great little work-flow tool that enables you to put a sticky note on your desktop.  It is small, quick, and simple to use and includes a variety of functions that make the sticky notes useful.  Stickies is free!  You can’t beat the price.

9. Poll Daddy is a free Web 2.0 poll/survey service.  I use it to gather feedback from students throughout a course.

10. Capture Wiz Pro is a great screen capture tool that is easier to use than any other screen capture tool that I have seen.  It costs about $20 and is worth every penny.

Rick's Top 10 Tools as at 28 January 2008

1. Stickies is a great little work-flow tool that enables you to put a sticky note on your desktop. It is small, quick, and simple to use and includes a variety of functions that make the sticky notes useful. Stickies is free! You can’t beat the price.

2. Google Docs is a Web 2.0 technology tool that enables collaboration. A great feature is the ability to save a document in a variety of formats including Adobe Acrobat’s .pdf format. It’s free and can be used with other Web 2.0 tools to empower the collaboration process.

3. Mindomo is a Web 2.0 mindmapping program. Mindomo offers both free and pro versions. While not as full-featured as MindManager Pro v7, the Mindomo Pro version enables you to exchange mindmap files with MindManager. My students use Mindomo to develop solutions to complex problems and to organize online research.

4. SightSpeed is a Web 2.0 hosted video messaging service that I use to record video messages that can be up to five minutes in length. SightSpeed gives me a URL that I can include in an email, as well as, html code that I can use to embed a Flash player in a website or in an Announcement in Blackboard. SightSpeed enables me to record a video conference with another person. I use this feature to record interviews, which is a unique way to bring a guest speaker into a course. SightSpeed understands the importance of privacy in academic communication.

5. TokBox is a free Web 2.0 video messaging service similar to SightSpeed. Like SightSpeed, it enables me to record up to a five minute video message. TokBox gives me a URL link that I can include in an email message. TokBox does not provide code with which to embed a Flash player in a website. TokBox includes a unique feature that enables video-conferencing with up to six people. My students use this feature when working together on a project.

6. Poll Daddy is a free Web 2.0 poll/survey service. I use it to gather feedback from students throughout a course.

7. CaptureWizPro is a great screen capture tool that is easier to use than any other screen capture tool that I have seen. It costs about $20 and is worth every penny.

8. Zoho Creator is a free Web 2.0 database tool. It is not as full featured as Microsoft Access; however, it is simple to use, web-based, and you can share your database with others, both privately and openly. I use Zoho Creator to create and maintain a 400+ research article database that supports my writing efforts.

9. Yugma is an outstanding, Web 2.0 web-conferencing tool. It’s free and puts services like WebEx, Adobe Connect, and GoToMeeting to shame. It also works within Skype. Soon, Yugma will include a feature that will enable you to save an online conference to a hosted, streaming file. This new feature will provide a truly unique way to create a streaming lecture or tutorial that goes beyond the current capabilities of static screenshots plus embedded soundtracks.

10. Skype: Last but not least, I include Skype on my list of Web 2.0 tools. I use Skype to offer virtual office hours for my students.

Rick's Top 10 Tools as at 26 July 2007

1. PDF Annotator lets you annotate “PDF” documents in ways beyond the capabilities of Adobe Acrobat.  I use PDF Annotator in conjunction with my Table PC (IBM ThinkPad X41).  The annotation features of PDF Annotator have changed the way that I grade papers and provide feedback to my students.  PDF Annotator is very inexpensive and worth every penny

2. SmartDraw 1007 is a drawing tool similar to Microsoft’s VISIO and various open-source tools available on the Internet.  I have used SmartDraw for several years.  The software is constantly updated.  I contact tech support for help with drawing issues and the support is outstanding.  SmartDraw offers a deep discount to educators which makes the product relatively inexpensive.

3. Think of Freepath as an electronic storyboard tool that does much more than just storyboard design.  Combine FREEPATH with GoToMeeting or Yugma and you have a unique way to collect, arrange, and present documents and media that you can broadcast and capture in a streaming media presentation.  I use FREEPATH to help create streaming presentations for my courses.  FREEPATH is very inexpensive and is an outstanding product

4. This is a great free software tool.  I use Egg Timer Plus as a timer when I create streaming audio/video presentations.   I also use Egg Timer Plus to show a time counter on the screen in class during examinations.

5. Sightspeed is an audio/video messaging service similar in some respects to Skype, Gizmo, and similar services.  However, SightSpeed goes beyond the capabilities of any of these other services.  I subscribe to the “Pro” version of SightSpeed.  The cost is incredibly inexpensive and the subscription enables me to record an unlimited number of video messages of up to three minutes.  All video messages which are hosted by SightSpeed.  The system provides me with a URL that can be embedded in the text of an email or the code needed to embed the SightSpeed player in a blog or web page.  SightSpeed protects privacy and confidentiality needs in ways that similar, free Web 2.0 video messaging tools do not.  SightSpeed also includes a “dashboard” screen that shows me a list of video messages that I have recorded.  The dashboard screen indicates whether the video message has been viewed

6. I work from three offices (university office on two campuses and home office).  Mionet creates a personal network that links my office, home office, and laptop computers.  Mionet’s features go beyond programs such as GoToMyPC.  It is very inexpensive and has great tech support.  Mionet even has a “Mionet on a Stick” option (i.e., you can download Mionet to a memory stick and run it from any computer by plugging the memory stick into a USB port).

7. I use MindManager 7 to create interactive mindmap diagrams.  I include interactive mindmaps in my online course materials.  The program is very inexpensive and is available at an educator’s discount.  Tech Support is outstanding.  While there are various free, open-source mindmap and diagramming software tools  available, I prefer MindManger.  It is stable and includes design features that the open-source tools do not include.

8. Yugma is an online conferencing tool similar to WebEx, Adobe’s Breeze, and Citrix’s GoToMeeting.  It is very inexpensive and includes “free options” not offered by the other major conferencing service providers.  I combine Yugma with Skype (audio call) and FREEPATH to hold online conferences, to provide one-on-one tutoring with students, and to create streaming presentations.  Yugma has an outstanding “whiteboard” tool.  Combine Yugma’s ability to capture audio/video with the inking technology features of a Tablet PC and you have an absolute “killer approach” to creating interactive streaming presentations.  This combination of tool features enables you to create presentations that go far beyond the static PowerPoint screenshots with embedded soundtracks.  Yugma works in a similar way to SightSpeed.  When you capture the screen, the audio/video file is hosted by Yugma.  Yugma gives you a URL that you can use to share the streaming presentation.

9. GoToMeeting is a Citrix service similar to WebEx, Adobe’s Breeze, and Yugma.  GoToMeeting is similar to Yugma with the exception that files created by GoToMeeting must be uploaded to a server.  GoToMeeting does NOT host streaming files.  GoToMeeting is more expensive than Yugma, but less expensive than WebEx or Adobe’s Breeze.  For the past couple of years, I have combined GoToMeeting with FREEPATH and a Tablet PC to create streaming video presentations.  I have also combined GoToMeeting with Skype to hold online conferences and to provide one-on-one tutoring with students.

10. Zotero is a free, easy-to-use Firefox extension to help you collect, manage, and cite your research sources. It lives right where you do your work — in the web browser.  Zotero was created at George Mason University.  It requires Firefox 2.0 or higher.  While it is not as integrated as EndNote, I like it because it is much easier to use.