TOP 10 TOOLS 2008
Zaid Alsagoff

I am currently the e-Learning Manager for INCEIF. However, I am always exploring new learning opportunities, and if anyone is doing any e-Learning projects in South-East Asia, I would love to be part of it. I have done research in several key e-learning areas, including educational gaming, role-play simulation, virtual classrooms, learning (content) management systems, e-learning standards, instructional design and courseware development. In addition, I have two (2) years experience in courseware development (as an Instructional Designer), and an educational background in Psychology (Bachelor) and IT management (Masters). My strengths include creative thinking, content development, instructional design, system analysis (and visualization), analytical thinking, writing e-learning proposals, conducting workshops, giving presentations, interpersonal communication and pro-activeness.  Zaid blogs at ZaidLearn

Zaid's Top 10 Tools as at 8 September 2008

1. Firefox 
   I have finally converted to Firefox from Internet Explorer (IE). After getting used to it, I have come to realize how disastrous IE really is. But then again, I have been experimenting with Google Chrome this week, and I might convert to Chrome in the coming weeks, if it is as good as it feels right now (simple, fast, sufficient and efficient). Anyway, I have all three running, so if one does not work for something, I have two other options to explore.
2. Delicious
   There are simply too many new and juicy learning resources and tools to reflect and organize effectively on my blog, so instead I am using Delicious to manage and share my learning discoveries. My blog instead focuses on making sense and filtering out the juiciest learning stuff in creative ways. 
3. Blogger
   Blogger is a great tool! I still prefer Blogger over WordPress, but you never know in the future (Things might change!). Though, I don't post as often as previously, but instead try to focus on creating 2-4 juicy learning posts every month that even gets me excited. Not sure if I can do that!
4. Google Search
   Although, Digg, StumbleUpon, del.icio.us, etc. are great tools to find interesting learning resources, I still use Google search to find most of the stuff I am looking for. If you got the right key words, Google Search is simply faster!
5. Gmail
   Easy-to-use, storage galore, no folders, search, and NO annoying video-based advertisements, entertainment and news like Yahoo and MSN mail. We are there to read/write our e-mails, not view news and entertainment (Be more creative in creating revenue), which we can get elsewhere (Think speed and ease-of-use when it comes to e-mail). Sometimes, all-in-one frustrates!
6. PowerPoint
   Although, some instructional designers might hate it, it is still the most widely used tool by educators to prepare their lecture/tutorial presentations (and also use as e-learning content). Why? It enables you to do amazing stuff without much effort or skills. Also, with plug-ins like Adobe Breeze and Articulate you are empowered to construct dynamic multimedia audio-based Flash-light presentations. The only sucker with this tool is that it is not free. Also, Apple dudes would probably argue that Apple's presentation software is better (Since I have not tried it, I cannot comment).
7. Slideshare
   Can store my PowerPoint slides (and other formats) online easily. Also, it is a super site to visit to learn the art of crafting a presentation. When I first visited this resource, I realized I have a long way to go to create great presentation slides (with learning outcomes). In short, it is a wonderful place to explore and be inspired by amazing works of art that strike a point (impact and learning outcomes).
8. Scribd
   This is a great tool for uploading and managing your documents in a cool and efficient way (doc, pdf, pptx, etc.). I used it to publish my first eBook (69 Learning Adventures in 6 Galaxies). Thumbs up to Scribd and my first eBook :)
9. Moodle
   An Awesome course management system! The more you use it, the more you love it. Who said that open source is of no quality? It is simply an excellent tool to facilitate online learning (wikis, blogs, forums, chat, Instant Messaging, quizzes, polls, journals, database, e-books, basic content management, WYSIWYG editor, Item analysis, etc).
10. Google Reader
    Manages my RSS collection online. Now I can access my RSS collection from any computer device with Internet access. However, I still use Omea Reader (offline RSS reader) if the Internet access is a problem or slow. They both serve their purposes to make my learning more efficient.  

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Zaid's Top 10 Tools as at 11 February 2008

1. Internet Explorer (IE)
   Yes, Firefox is ranked number one on the Top 100 list. I have tried using Firefox for a few months early 2007, but I suppose I have gotten too used to IE and its "Favorites" management. I simply find it difficult quitting IE. I suppose after all these years using IE as my main browser to the knowledge galaxy, it is difficult to let go. Though, I have both of them running on my PC, so I suppose sooner or later I will join the Firefox bandwagon (when it conquers IE in my mind).

2. Google Search
   Although, Digg, StumbleUpon, del.icio.us, etc. are great tools to find interesting learning resources, I still use Google search to find most of the stuff I am looking for. If you got the right key words, Google Search is simply faster!

3. Gmail
   Easy-to-use, storage galore, no folders, search, and NO annoying video-based advertisements, entertainment and news like Yahoo and MSN mail. We are there to read/write our e-mails, not view news and entertainment (Be more creative in creating revenue), which we can get elsewhere (Think speed and ease-of-use when it comes to e-mail). Sometimes, all-in-one frustrates!

4. Blogger
   I suppose there are perhaps better blogging tools around (e.g. WordPress), but I have kind of settled with Blogger for now to manage my learning adventure (ZaidLearn). Though, things might change as I become wiser (or Dumber!).

5. PowerPoint
   Although, some instructional designers might hate it, it is still the most widely used tool by educators to prepare their lecture/tutorial presentations (and also use as e-learning content). Why? It enables you to do amazing stuff without much effort or skills. Also, with plug-ins like Adobe Breeze and Articulate you are empowered to construct dynamic multimedia audio-based Flash-light presentations. The only sucker with this tool is that it is not free. Also, Apple dudes would probably argue that Apple's presentation software is better (Since I have not tried it, I cannot comment).

6. SnagIt
   It is a commercial tool and that is annoying, but luckily I managed to register it for free (during the free special offer) which has expired!). I have found this tool to be really excellent for capturing and creating customized graphics on-the-fly (within seconds!) for my learning adventure (ZaidLearn).

7. Moodle
   An Awesome course management system! The more you use it, the more you love it. Who said that open source is of no quality? It is simply an excellent tool to facilitate online learning (wikis, blogs, forums, chat, Instant Messaging, quizzes, polls, journals, database, e-books, basic content management, WYSIWYG editor, Item analysis, etc).

8. Word
   Although, I use GoogleDocs more frequently, I still prefer to do most of my writing using Microsoft Word. However, you never know in the future, as these online processors continue to evolve and the Internet becomes easier to access.

9. Google Reader
   Manages my RSS collection online. Now I can access my RSS collection from any computer device with Internet access. However, I still use Omea Reader (offline RSS reader) if the Internet access is a problem or slow. They both serve their purposes to make my learning more efficient.  

10. Slideshare
    Can store my PowerPoint slides (and other formats) online easily. Also, it is a super site to visit to learn the art of crafting a presentation. When I first visited this resource, I realized I have a long way to go to create great presentation slides (with learning outcomes). In short, it is a wonderful place to explore and be inspired by amazing works of art that strike a point (impact and learning outcomes).

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Zaid's Top 10 Tools as at 10 August 2007

1. Internet Explorer - Yes, Firefox is ranked number one on the Top 100 list. I have tried using Firefox for a few months early 2007, but I suppose I have gotten too used to IE and its "Favorites" management. I simply find it difficult quitting IE. I suppose after all these years using IE as my main browser to the knowledge galaxy it is difficult to let go. Though, I have both of them running on my PC, so I suppose sooner or later I will join the Firefox bandwagon (when it conquers IE in my mind).

2. Google Search -  Videos (including YouTube), Glossary, Scholar, Blogs, Groups, Anything underneath the sun (especially for general stuff), etc. Googling is part of our life today. I wish I had more time to visit the traditional library.

3. Moodle - An Awesome course management system! The more you use it, the more you love it. Who said that open source is of no quality? It is simply an excellent tool to facilitate online learning (wikis, blogs, forums, chat, Instant Messaging, quizzes, polls, journals, database, e-books, basic content management, WYSIWYG editor, Item analysis, etc).

4. PowerPoint -  Although, some instructional designers might hate it, it is still the most widely used tool by educators to prepare their lecture/tutorial presentations (and also use as e-learning content). Why? It enables you to do amazing stuff without much effort or skills. Also, with plug-ins like Adobe Breeze/Presenter and Articulate you are empowered to construct dynamic multimedia audio-based Flash-light presentations. The only sucker with this tool is that it is not free. Also, Apple dudes would probably argue that Apple's presentation software is better (Since I have not tried it, I cannot comment).

5. Word - Although, we have online processors like Buzzword and GoogleDocs, I still prefer to do most of my writing using Microsoft Word. However, you never know in the future, as these online processors continue to evolve and the Internet becomes easier to access.

6. Google Reader -  Manages my RSS collection online. Since I discovered this tool I have given up on PC-based RSS tools. Now I can access my RSS collection on any computer device. Yummi!

7. Gmail -  Easy-to-use, storage galore, no folders, search, and NO annoying video-based advertisements, entertainment and news like Yahoo and MSN mail. We are there to read/write our e-mails, not view news and entertainment (Be more creative in creating revenue), which we can get elsewhere (Think speed and ease-of-use when it comes to e-mail). Sometimes, all-in-one frustrates! The only reason why Gmail is not ranked higher, is because I still use my office mail a lot.

8. Wikipedia - Simply a massive wonderful disruptively fast growing learning resource (encyclopaedia), which you can find articles on basically everything. I suppose Answers.com is also worth mentioning, but without Wikipedia it would hardly be any answers in it.

9. del.icio.us - Excellent social bookmarking site. Saves me time to find juicy stuff.

10. Blogger - I  suppose there are better blogging tools around, but I am kind of new to using blogs, so I will have to go with this one until I get a bit wiser.