Tech+Tool+List

=FREE Tech Tools Discussed at Institute & Learning Strand= toc

[|Delicious]
Social bookmarking site--share your bookmarks. [|delicious.com/tag/calstat] is a quick way to see all bookmarks tagged with the word calstat. Try changing out the word calstat for another tag. 


Collaborate on a variety of document types in real-time or asynchronously. Can export in Microsoft formats. Must have Google account.

[|WriteBoard]
Collaborate on work processing documents asynchronously. Export as text only format. Quick sign-up and invite. Membership NOT required.

[|Twitter]
Micro-blogging tool. Short postings.[| Search.Twitter.com]is a great way to find posts (tweets) about subjects you may be interested in. Try [|calstat.]

[|Blogger]
Blog tool that allows you to publish your thoughts. Blogger differs from Twitter in that you would use Blogger for more lengthy postings so more thoughtful reflection is possible in the postings. Blogger also allows you to post photos and it allows for feedback.

Make computer-to-computer calls FREE anywhere in world with computer microphone and speakers. For small fee you can call out to regular phones. Upgrade your computers microphone and wear headphones for best sound. Chat tool is excellent. Record sessions and keep transcripts of texts.

[|Flickr]
Photo sharing website. Service allows you to upload photos via a web page or by email. You can then share photos with anyone. Flickr also provides RSS feeds so you can automatically pull your photos into web pages, email, or other social networking tools such as facebook. Here is CalSTAT photo stream. http://www.flickr.com/photos/29308193@N08/

[|SurveyMonkey]
Quick and easy way to create surveys or polls. Produces good reports. You can upgrade your account to increase the maximum number of people allowed to take the survey. It produces 508 compliant surveys. You can download raw data collected.

[|Survey Gizmo]
Quick and easy way to create surveys or polls. Allows great flexibility with regard to design. You can upgrade your account to increase the maximum number of people allowed to take the survey. It produces 508 compliant surveys. You can download raw data collected.

[|Dipity]
Timeline tool. Tell history. Track your work or accomplishments.

[|FaceBook]
Very popular social networking tool. Typcially used to maintain social relationships with friends in addition to [|MySpace]. The average user of both tools is over the age of 35 so this isn't a tool that "just the kids are using". CalSTAT recommends FaceBook over MySpace. Better user interface, less clutter of ads. Facebook differs from the Twitter & Flickr in that it allows you to upload photos, videos, maintain calendars, pull in RSS feeds, and do microblogging in one location. In addition there are several "add-ons" you can add to your site to enhance it. Its very popular because of its "friends you may know" feature. FaceBook also has professional applications....many companies have FaceBook accounts (for example here is the [|Commom Craft FaceBook Account]).


 * CalSTAT is current developing its FaceBook account.

**[|PunBB]**
PunBB is discussion forum software (asynchronous) that can be downloaded to a web server and setup to host multiple discussions. The setup is easy but does require some technical knowledge of how a web server works. If anyone would like to host their own online discussion but don't have this option available to them, [|CalSTAT can host the forum for you]. Contact tom.tranfaglia@calstat.org to setup your forum.

[|Moodle]
Course management software (CMS) that can be downloaded to a web server. Setup requires technical knowledge of how a web server works. This CMS is designed to allow instructors create an online learning environment by adding or removing options such as online discussion, online chats, assignment calendars, locations to upload/download files, etc. You can checkout [|a demo site]. If you don't have a web server available to your or someone to help you with the setup Moodle has [|partners that can assist.]

[|Zoho]
Offers a wide variety of free tools (email, word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, file sharing,, wiki, planner, calendar, chat).

[|Wikispaces]
You're on it!

Not Discussed During The Strand But Good Options (add your suggestions below)

 * Please only add to this list tools for which you personally have experienced and would recommend. **

[|iTeamwork]
Easy project management software that allows you to have several projects with several tasks assigned to each. Assign staff and deadlines to tasks and projects.

[|Google Calendar]
Easily create and share your calendars.

[|Campfire]
Group chat tool. Free for up to 4 users. Past that you need to upgrade the account.

[|OpenOffice]
Think of this as the free version of Microsoft Office. This is software you download to your computer not via the web.

[|thinkfree]
Word processing, spreadsheet and presentation. Web-based.

[|Doodle]
Makes scheduling a meeting easy. Eliminates the crazy emails of when people are/are not available.