I am exploring new job 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.
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).
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!
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!
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!).
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).
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).
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).
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.
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.
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).
What are your
Top 10 tools for learning? Let us know and help to build the
Top 100 Tools for Learning 2008
Zaid's
Top 10 Tools as at 10 August 2007
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).
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.
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).
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/Presenterand
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).
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.
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!
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.
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.
del.icio.us
-
Excellent social bookmarking site. Saves me time
to find juicy stuff.
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.
What are your
Top 10 tools - for
your own personal working and learning
and/or
creating, delivering or supporting others' learning?
Let us know
