More tools in the toolbox

Tools in the tool box keep collecting! But as every good IDer knows, there is no such thing as too many tools. This week I stay behind to bring in the close of the final leg of the summer rotation. The rest of the crew are making their way to the Isle of Treasure to properly celebrate the end of a dynamic and exciting last month and a half. I recap the week in terms of my involvement and experiences using the social media tools we used in eme6414 this week.     

OER Commons

Wowzers! This online application has a lot going for it. It’s accurately labeled a dynamic digital library and network. It includes three features a resource builder, lesson builder, or a module builder. I mostly played with the module builder which was pretty sweet. So basically, the module builder is what I do at my day job. No joke. While I don’t think this application is ready to replace me, this and ones like it are getting closer by the minute. I still think that courses that get millions of users should consider a custom build. The courses that get 10-1000 range of users would find this content delivery system to work just fine. I could even imagine applications like these course builder sites as a place for clients to contribute to, a guide for the writers, or a rough draft for the designers. I love to see powerful applications coming online like this one.

Merlot –

I like where this is heading but it looks and feels dated. Serving up a collection of free and open online teaching, learning, and faculty development service it’s a great site for teachers to find materials for the classroom and such. Personally, I think this one is a flop because it’s hard to navigate and broad in its delivery. However, I can see how the site could be a vital resource for instructors needing quality content. The few videos I saw on their YouTube channel is more in the direction I would take the site. Overall, it’s just hard to find the things you’re looking for.

  

IFTTT –

This site is killer! I immediately put it to good use on my blog where I set up my blog posts to automatically post to Twitter. The site does a bunch of great things for your social media sites. Mainly connecting the apps and devices you use every day to one another in some way. They use beautiful design, the site is fun, and easy to use. I can’t wait to find new shortcuts on this site to stream line my online social platforms. What a great idea.

Trello –

This is an online management tool and its awesome. We use it at work and it makes keeping up with projects so much easier. It’s easy to use and user centered. I can get in there and create tasks, upload pictures, comment, highlight, and organize content with ease. The alert system sends emails when you have a new job or need to complete a task. When I’m on a project that uses Trello, I know that I won’t need to second guess where directions are and when something is due. It’s good about removing most of the guess work that occurs with assignments normally contained on paper or in an email. If I have a question it gets attached to the specific task at hand and an alert will be sent to the person assigning the tasks. Great design and functionality on this one. Highly recommended!

Periscope – 

I’ve been hearing a lot about this one. I visited the live streaming social web platform and looked at some feeds but didn’t set up an account. They only allow accounts that use a mobile device. Bummer. I’ll have to come back to this one. I’m a little weirded out by all these people posting videos of themselves. I feel like I am stalking them or something. I mean there’s people dancing and doing karaoke in their house by the fire place, a guy drawling fish, a girl doing handstands, a rap group performing in the street, a Tesla conference, and it just keeps going. I’m not sure why but this site just creeps me out. Yet for some reason, I can’t stop watching.