Tools and Resources relating to: Drive Change

  • XR Access: Virtual, Augmented, & Mixed Reality for People with Disabilities - XR Access is a research consortium dedicated to fostering and leading a community that prioritizes creating, sharing, and learning about XR and accessibility endeavors. Their mission is to adapt current technologies and envision future technologies that put accessibility first while sharing informative resources to bring awareness to the lack of accessibility in the XR field. On their site, you will find a plethora of projects, research, and resources related to their goals, as well as information about upcoming events hosted by the organization.   XR Access: Virtual, Augmented, & Mixed Reality for People with Disabilities
  • Qualtrics - Qualtrics is web-based software that allows the user to create surveys and generate reports. Qualtrics enables you to do using a variety of distribution means.   Qualtrics Review Accessibility/Security Info
  • How the Market Works - Learn how the Stock Market works. Receive a virtual $100,000 to learn how the markets work and practice trading. Create your own custom stock market contest for your class. The site provides teacher resources and lesson plans.   How the Market Works
  • Harvard Business Catalog – Case Studies, Simulations, and More - Harvard Business Publishing Education partners with educators and students around the world to deliver best-in-class learning experiences that develop leaders who are ready for a changing world. A robust catalog of learning materials, including cases, simulations, articles, videos, and online courses. Pedagogical support, teaching advice, and curriculum guidance is also available to help educators create dynamic, inclusive, and powerful learning moments that students will remember long after they leave the classroom. Thousands of case studies in a wide variety of learning topics are also included in this robust catalog. Simulations place students right in the mix of realistic business scenarios where they must apply the concepts they’ve learned to make decisions under pressure.   Harvard Business Catalog - Case Studies, Simulations, and More
  • Stanford d.school - Everyone has the capacity to be creative. The Stanford d.school is a place where people develop problem-solving skills using methods from across the field of design. Resources on this site include toolkits to guide learners through design challenges. Stanford d.school Stanford d.school - Resources How to Design an Education Escape Room    
  • VERO - Vero is a social media platform and mobile app company. Vero markets itself as a social network free from advertisements. Vero Members are a creative bunch and like nothing more than discovering new stories, people, causes, and projects to get behind.   Vero  
  • Toodledo - Toodledo is an incredibly powerful tool to increase your productivity and organize your life. More than just a to-do list, Toodledo provides you with a place to store your notes, outlines, and habits. Access your data on any device or browser. We’ll keep everything up to date with automatic syncing. Toodledo is flexible enough to work with many different productivity styles. You can use the popular GTD methodology, or you can use your own system. You can keep things simple, or you can add as much complexity as you need. Keeping track of your to-do list has never been easier.   Toodledo (info source: https://play.google.com/store/apps )
  • Medium - Medium is a publishing platform with a social twist. The platform has 120 million readers that are able to directly follow the publisher or the writer they want and read their articles. The platform encourages writers from all over the world to become a member and publish on its platform. The social aspect of the platform makes it easy for readers to follow the writers. The more followers you have, more widely your work will get published. The writers can also choose to publish freely or for a fee. This management is done by the Medium platform that has either free membership of paid membership with only the paid members able to view materials that demand fees.   Medium
  • Twine - Twine is an open-source tool for telling interactive, nonlinear stories. You don't need to write any code to create a simple story with Twine, but you can extend your stories with variables, conditional logic, images, CSS, and JavaScript when you're ready. Twine publishes directly to HTML, so you can post your work nearly anywhere. Anything you create with it is completely free to use any way you like, including for commercial purposes.   Twine What is Twine?  
  • Accessible Course Design - This site helps instructors and instructional designers implement strategies for accessible course design. The goal is to provide information that is easily understandable to individuals who are not necessarily technology-oriented and may not know much about working with people with disabilities. The tips on this website have been written to accommodate students who are deaf or hard of hearing, use screen readers for those with vision impairment, have learning or other disabilities, or are color blind. Many of these tips also improve learning for all students, which is called Universal Design. According to the creator of this post, "this site was created to help instructors and instructional designers implement strategies for accessible course design. The goal is to provide information that is easily understandable to individuals who are not necessarily technology-oriented and may not know much about working with people with disabilities." One ...
  • Edulai for employability skills development - Edulai is an Educational Technology software that offers the possibility to university students and teachers to access freely available learning materials for improving 8 key employability skills such as critical thinking, communication, team-work, leadership, problem-solving, interculturalism, digital technology, and English language. Edulai makes use of artificial intelligence and has a dynamic library that suggests different content according to the level you have developed a specific skill. Edulai also allows you to add resources to your library space if you find some new useful material!   Edulai  
  • SurfSafe - Defend the internet. Bring the world to the Internet without false news. If you see something that is false, report it! Supercharge your browser to catch fake news! SurfSafe is protecting users from misleading, photoshopped, and fake news throughout the Internet. The extension marks the level of safety of an image or article on the corners. Never again will you be misled by photoshopped images scattered throughout the Internet. You can also decide which organizations to base the truth off of. Add the extension to Chrome for free!   SurfSafe
  • RealtimeBoard - A simple whiteboard platform for cross-functional team collaboration. Data, images, spreadsheets, tasks, graphics, videos and more. The Realtime Board combines all of these parts in one place to allow teams or the entire organization to collaborate with each other. There are plenty of collaboration possibilities. Agile & Lean, Action plan, Strategy & Management, Kanban board, Meeting organizer, User story mapping, Gantt chart, Milestone chart, Retrospective, Product Management, Business model canvas, Persona, Product backlog, Six thinking hats, Random words, Empathy map, Timeline, Mindmap, UX & Design, Sitemap, Affinity diagram, Ideation, Wireframing, Lean UX. The image below visually shows just a few of the examples of how this tool can help to visually organize your ideas and processes. RealtimeBoard    Keywords: whiteboard
  • Gliffy - Gliffy is a collaborative web-based diagram editor that can be used to create mind maps and other visual organizations of information such as; flow charts, org charts, schematic drawings, floor plans, technical drawings, concept maps, and more.   Gliffy   Keywords: Collaboration, Productivity Tools, Visual Design, mindmap
  • Med-Tech Innovation News - This website is the UK and Ireland leading publication for medical design and manufacturing technology and innovation. Their expert editorial team brings together daily news, technical content, analysis, case studies and high-profile interviews with industry experts and thought leaders. Med-Tech Innovation News provides intelligence for professionals involved in the design and production of Class I, II & III medical engineering and manufacturing community with the latest innovations in technology, materials, processes, digital health, and R&D.   Med-Tech Innovation News   Keywords: Blogs, Digital Literacy, Lifelong Learning, Resource Library  
  • Tricider - Tricider is a free Web application that can be used for online classroom collaboration and brainstorming ideas. It allows teachers, students, and colleagues to collaborate together to collect ideas, discuss these ideas to find solutions and vote on the argument they think is the best.   Tricider   How to Use Tricider   Keywords: Collaboration, Productivity Tools, Websites
  • SAMR Model - The SAMR model, developed by Ruben Puentedura, is a theoretical framework for scaffolding technology integration into education. The video below describes SAMR (Substitution - Augmentation - Modification - Redefinition) and introduces you to the model. The Emerging Ed Tech website provides a few Examples of Transforming Lessons Through the SAMR Cycle. This SAMR Wakelet collection created by Nell Eckersley is another great resource to learn more. SAMR Model   (Video length: 2 minutes)   Keywords: 3D, Audio, Collaboration, Mobile Apps
  • TED Talks - TED Talks: ideas worth spreading include talks from speakers from a variety of backgrounds who provide thought-provoking presentations about a wide variety of topics. The short TED Talk videos average 10 to 18 minutes. This is a powerful tool for life long learning. The talks are given by people from all walks of life who share insights about a wide variety of topics.   TED Talks   5 Benefits Of Watching Ted Talks   Keywords: Lifelong Learning, Video  
  • Business Balls – Free Online Learning and Development Website - Business Balls is a free ethical learning and development resource for people and organizations. It is one of the most mind-boggling collections of free management training materials that you'll find on the Internet. New features include badges, learning plans linked to accredited competency frameworks, wikis (for collaborative content development), fresh content from international thought leaders and academics, and dynamic quizzes (to complement Quizballs.com). The concept began last century as an experimental online collection of learning and development ideas. The website is now used by about a million people each month. The philosophy of the website is intended to be ethical, practical, innovative, compassionate, and enjoyable.   BusinessBalls   Make sure to also visit the Self-awareness Section   Below is an example of Critical Thinking Types according to "Howard Gardner - Theory of Learning that called 'Multiple Intelligence Theory' in the learning process to perceive information".    Keywords: Digital Footprint/Identity, Digital Literacy, ...
  • FutureLearn: Free Online Courses - FutureLearn is a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) learning platform that includes a number of international partners, including non-university partners. They also push learning further with online Programs and Degrees. "Whether anyone wants to develop as a professional or discover a new hobby, there's an online course for that."  Future Learn provides a variety of courses from leading universities and cultural institutions from around the world. These are delivered one step at a time and are accessible on mobile, tablet, and desktop, so you can fit learning around your life. Future Learn tends to believe that learning should be an enjoyable, social experience, so their courses offer the opportunity to discuss what you’re learning with others as you go, helping you make fresh discoveries and form new ideas. It is a private company owned by The Open University with the benefit of over 40 years of experience in distance learning ...
  • Jigsaw Classroom – Elliot Aronson - The Jigsaw Classroom is a cooperative learning technique that reduces racial conflict among school children, promotes better learning, improves student motivation, and increases enjoyment of the learning experience.   Jigsaw Classroom   Keywords: Lifelong Learning, Websites
  • YouTube - Get started with YouTube, playing, watching, and creating videos. YouTube is a video-sharing site available in nearly every country and over fifty different languages. Anyone with an Internet connection can share content, whether they are organizations with large budgets or an individual with a video camera. The material is organized into channels and users can create their own private channels. YouTube is an extremely large platform that allows people to upload videos to the internet to inform, entertain, and share things with people around the world. Although many people think of YouTube as an entertainment-based website, the number of educational videos are innumerable. You can teach yourself almost any skill by watching Youtube videos. Youtube is a very useful tool to not only learn things but also to network with other people. So many people have connected through similar interests on Youtube. ...
  • Vimeo - Vimeo is a popular video sharing site. Anyone can upload a video to this site for free, by signing up for the Vimeo basic membership package that offers video storage and privacy settings. Vimeo hosts videos in the highest quality possible. You can upload 4K Ultra HD quality, video management tools, no ads before, during, or after your videos, and professional live streaming plans. With Vimeo, you can use powerful editing tools made for creators and brands, review videos with collaborators, drive engagement, and embed anywhere. It is possible to easily see how your videos are performing. You can also find quality videos created by others.   Vimeo   Vimeo Help Center - Help in several main areas and a search bar. Vimeo help on Uploading your videos 5 Reasons to Host Videos on Vimeo Instead of YouTube - Compares Vimeo and youtube for hosting videos.   Keywords: Audio, ...
  • Windows Movie Maker - If you are using Windows 10, you can use this free video editor and slideshow maker app. Use it to easily create video stories and share them with your colleagues, students, friends, and family. Transform everyday moments into works of art as you want. There is easy to use professional editing tools. Users can trim and merge video, write subtitles, add stickers, choose a theme, and insert transitions between videos. .MOV and .MP4 support is now available. NOTE: Microsoft no longer supports MovieMaker; however, you can still download software that works similarly to the original. The version linked to below is a free version but there are advanced features only after paying for the Pro version. There are sites that provide non-free versions and also versions that pass along viruses. Proceed with caution!    Windows Movie Maker   Windows Movie Maker Software Tutorials - Tutorials for ...
  • WeVideo – Collaborative Online Video Editor in the Cloud - WeVideo is the online video editor that makes it easy to capture, create, view and share your movies at up to 4K resolution for playback anywhere. Videos can be uploaded easily from DropBox, and edited online from multiple devices.   WeVideo   Review: WeVideo is a cloud-based video editor that makes editing in your browser fun and simple - An easy-to-read description of how this tool works. The Video Marketing Best Practices You Need To Know - This site offers a free download for the book, "Tips For Creating The 6 Most Common Business Videos"   Keywords: Presentations, Productivity Tools, Recording, Social Media, Video
  • iMovie - With iMovie for iOS and macOS, you can enjoy your videos like never before. It's easy to browse clips and create Hollywood-style trailers and 4K-resolution movies. You can even start editing on an iPhone or iPad, then finish on a Mac. And when your movie is ready, iMovie Theater rolls out the red carpet. There are styles for titles and credits, video filters for a cinematic touch, and special effects.   iMovie   26 best iMovie for Mac tips 2017 | How to edit video with iMovie for Mac - With tips about features and shortcuts. Apple iMovie (for Mac OS X) - Discusses the features of Apple's video editing software.   Keywords: Mobile Apps, Presentations, Productivity Tools, Simulations, Video
  • Screencast-o-matic - This tool is for anyone needing a fast recording app to create a video file, share on YouTube, or even upload to a custom branded site hosted by them. It makes it easy to record on-screen activity for short tutorials, visual presentations, and communicate while you demonstrate. Free and pro versions are available.   Screencast-o-matic   Screencast-o-Matic|Support - Support for Screencast-O-Matic including how to use and common issues. Screencast-O-Matic (SOM): Best Practices - Provides best practices for using Screencast-O-matic.   Keywords: Mobile Apps, Open Educational Resources (OER) & Open Access, Presentations, Productivity Tools, Simulations, Video Review Accessibility/Security Info
  • Explain Everything - Explain Everything is a cloud collaboration platform built on the learning technology of tomorrow. Whether you're sending just-in-time messages to colleagues or recording lessons for students, Explain Everything is the imagination space that helps you tell your unique story. It works like an interactive whiteboard, allowing for quick communication with students, colleagues, and customers. Write, draw, and move objects to enhance your project. Add media from various sources including a built-in clipart library. Record voice/video and even create screencasts to make your story even more engaging.   Explain Everything   How to Use Explain Everything to Record Instructional Videos - A few key best practices when recording videos. This in-app help and guide features a video to guide you through how to use the Explain Everything app. There's the help file for Explain Everything, including a dedicated iBook showing all the functions of the app and pop up ...
  • ShowMe - ShowMe can be used to create beautiful tutorials with the top of your finger. With the ShowMe app, educators can use the iPad as an interactive whiteboard and record voice-over lessons. If desired, these can then be shared with the public. The best of the lessons are available online on the ShowMe.com Web site.   ShowMe   ShowMe Knowlege Base - Answers to 24 customer questions and a search feature.   Keywords: Mobile Apps, Open Educational Resources (OER) & Open Access, Presentations, Productivity Tools
  • Second Life - Second Life is a virtual world used by many colleges and universities to provide immersive learning, real-time collaboration, a global community, and secure and safe virtual campuses. There are many campuses you can visit to get a feel for the power of a virtual world in education. Also, check out the many education-related environments relating to SecondLife.   Second Life   Returning to Second Life - An analysis from Ars Technica about how Second Life is currently used by its social media platform.   Keywords: 3D
  • iNaturalist - The iNaturalist app helps you upload citizen science observations of plants and animals to the iNaturalist.org online community for naturalists as well as other members of the iNaturalist network such as NaturaLista.mx in Mexico. You can: record observations with photos and GPS locations; explore observations from around the world; keep track of updates from people you follow.   iNaturalist   Getting started with iNaturalist - This page explains how to get started with iNaturalist and offers a wealth of resources, including video tutorials and a teacher's guide.   Keywords: Virtual Labs
  • Facebook - Facebook is a well-known and free to use social networking platform. Utilizing Facebook can help you connect, share and market to people. User groups based on common interests, workplace, and more can provide you new methods to communicate. Now very often seen in news media, Facebook and other social media platforms are commonly used to give voice to social issues, customize marketing on an individual level, and further the spread of both news and fake news.   Facebook   Facebook tutorial - This tutorial will walk you through the set-up process, available features through the privacy settings and controls, essential to any social media platform. Branding in the age of social media - Learn more about branding yourself via social media from this Harvard Business Review article.   Keywords: Collaboration, Digital Footprint/Identity, Media, Social Media
  • Twitter - Twitter is an American microblogging and social networking service on which users post and interact with messages known as "tweets". Registered users can post, like, and retweet tweets, but unregistered users can only read them. Users access Twitter through its website interface or its mobile-device application software ("app"), though the service could also be accessed via SMS before April 2020. Tweets were originally restricted to 140 characters but was doubled to 280 in November 2017. Audio and video tweets remain limited to 140 seconds for most accounts. Twitter is a some-to-many microblogging service, given that the vast majority of tweets are written by a small minority of users. - from Wikipedia First reactions and breaking news flood Twitter as soon as they happen. With only a limited number of characters per tweet, Twitter users need to be brief and meaningful when composing. Official hashtags make conference tweeting is yet another ...
  • Google Sites - Google Sites is a structured wiki- and Web page-creation tool offered by Google as part of the G Suite productivity suite. The goal of Google Sites is for anyone to be able to create a team-oriented site where multiple people can collaborate and share files.   Google Sites   Sites Help - Information on creating, editing, previewing, sharing, publishing, and managing your Google site. 20/20 HindSITE: Best Practices for Google Sites - This site illustrates how organizations are using Google Sites, and includes a wealth of resources and tools.   Keywords: GoogleSites, Digital Footprint/Identity, Publishing, Websites, Wikis Review Accessibility/Security Info
  • Wix - Wix.com is a cloud-based web development platform that was first developed and popularized by the Israeli company also called Wix. It allows users to create HTML5 web sites and mobile sites through the use of online drag and drop tools.   Wix   Wix Help Center - This site has many articles organized into twenty topics plus several trending topics. There is also an opportunity to search. Landing pages 101 - Landing pages are an important marketing tool. This site focuses on creating effective landing pages.   Keywords: ePortfolios, Productivity Tools, Publishing, Websites
  • Zoho - Zoho is a suite of online services developed and provided by the company with the same name. They offer a variety of products related to productivity and online services (such as a sites builder -Zoho Sites-, corporate emails, an online office suite, among many others). While their portfolio of products is very wide, most of them are offered for free through a free trial version with limited functionalities, some of them are for a limited time only. Their various products have different pricing alternatives according to the needs of the user.   While most of the tools are office-focused, they also have services aimed at non-profit organizations, educators, and individuals.   Zoho   Zoho Sites- Beginner's Guide - A video plus Instructions for how to set up your Zoho site. More advanced features are also covered.   Keywords: Productivity Tools, Publishing, Websites Review Accessibility/Security Info
  • Weebly - Weebly is a complete platform that allows anyone to start and grow an online business with curated website templates, powerful e-commerce and integrated marketing. More than 40 million entrepreneurs around the world use Weebly to grow their customer base, fuel sales, and market their idea. Designed for any entrepreneur who wants to reach a global audience, Weebly gives everyone the freedom to create a high-quality site and store that works brilliantly on any device.   Weebly   Weebly Website Builder: Get a Pro Website in 60 Minutes or Less - A short tutorial on how to build an effective website through Weebly.   Keywords: Blogs, Collaboration, ePortfolios, Productivity Tools, Publishing, Websites Review Accessibility/Security Info
  • Padlet - Padlet is an online virtual bulletin board, where students and teachers can collaborate, reflect, and share links and pictures, in a secure location. Padlet allows users to create a hidden wall with a custom URL. Padlet creators can also moderate posts, remove posts, and manage their boards. Note: Padlet is one of the few tools that can be used by a learner on a Padlet without signing in. However, it should be noted that an account is created to be a Padlet "creator" and the data that is shared to create an account is not always limited to within Padlet.   Padlet   30 Creative Ways to Use Padlets for Teachers and Students - An article that discusses the many uses of Padlet as well as how to create one. Padlet - Best of Education - A collection of the "best" Padlets within the realm of ...
  • Tumblr - Tumblr is a microblogging and social networking website founded by David Karp in 2007, and owned by Oath Inc.The service allows users to post multimedia and other content to a short-form blog. Users can follow other users' blogs. Bloggers can also make their blogs private.   Tumblr   How to Use Tumblr for Blogging and Social Networking - This article talks about the classic uses of the platform Tumblr.   Keywords: Blogs, Collaboration, Mobile Apps, Photos & Images, Publishing, Social Media, Video, Websites Review Accessibility/Security Info
  • WordPress - WordPress is an open-source blogging and a website creation platform. WordPress (often referred to as WP) is very widely used and makes up about 30% of all published websites.  There is a subtle but important difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com. WordPress.org gives lots of freedom, but you need a self-hosted platform to deliver your site. This involves additional steps to set up a server and install the WordPress software or payment for a hosting service. WordPress.com allows free pages that are hosted directly on the WordPress.com site. Both versions of WordPress are user-friendly but some of the advanced themes are not an option that is available on WordPress.com. This is only available when you have your own server space to install your own version of WordPress. Themes and plugins are similar to webpage templates and provide advanced functionality for WordPress websites. This page shares info about some of ...
  • Wikidot - Wikidot.com is the world's third-largest wiki farm, with almost million and a half users running 500,000 sites and serving more than 100M unique visitors per year. Our growing success comes from building a service that people enjoy using, and tell their friends and colleagues about.   Wikidot   Getting Started with WikiDot - This is WikiDot support page which details how one would get started in creating an account and using their WikiDot to the fullest. An example of a WikiDot - Student Apathy   Keywords: Collaboration, ePortfolios, Productivity Tools, Publishing, Websites, Wikis Review Accessibility/Security Info
  • Zoho Wiki - Zoho Wiki is a free online tool to create collaborative web portals. No downloads, no installation, no special IT infrastructure, no need for IT experts, no webmasters. You can access your wiki anywhere, anytime. Wikis are offered as a knowledge management tool, for which multiple users can be added as collaborators. These wikis are ideal for small teams, closed groups, intranets, etc.   Zoho Wiki   FAQ and Help Page for Zoho Wiki - This is the ZohoWiki help and FAQ page.   Keywords: Collaboration, ePortfolios, Productivity Tools, Publishing, Websites, Wikis
  • Wikiversity - Wikiversity is a Wikimedia Foundation project devoted to learning resources, learning projects, and research for use in all levels, types, and styles of education from pre-school to university, including professional training and informal learning. We invite teachers, students, and researchers to join us in creating open educational resources and collaborative learning communities. To learn more about Wikiversity, try a guided tour, learn about adding content, or start editing now.   Wikiversity   Wikiversity article About Wikiversity - This is a Wikiversity article regarding Wikiversity.   Keywords: Collaboration, Open Educational Resources (OER) & Open Access, Wikis
  • Wikis in Higher Ed - The purpose of this wiki is to collect ideas, thoughts, suggestions, resources on ways in which wikis are being used in Higher Education.   Wikis in Higher Ed   Keywords: Collaboration, Lifelong Learning, Open Educational Resources (OER) & Open Access, Wikis
  • EduBlogs - "Since 2005, Edublogs has grown into the largest educational blogging network in the world. We believe that blogging transforms the educational experience of students and have seen firsthand how Edublogs increases ownership of learning, engages students, and becomes a source of pride in the classroom. Edublogs is a project of the prominent WordPress company Incsub; the same team behind CampusPress and WPMU DEV. We pride ourselves on making user-friendly products and providing lightning-fast support."   Edublogs   EduBlogs Youtube Support Page - This page has several "How-To" videos regarding EduBlogs.   Keywords: Blogs, Collaboration, Publishing, Websites, ePortfolio Review Accessibility/Security Info
  • Wikibooks - Wikibooks is a Wikimedia project for collaboratively writing open-content textbooks that anyone, including you, can edit right now by clicking on the edit link that appears near the top of each Wikibooks page. Wikibooks is for textbooks, annotated texts, instructional guides, and manuals. These materials can be used in a traditional classroom, an accredited or respected institution, a home-school environment, as part of a Wikiversity course, or for self-learning. As a general rule, this collection mainly includes instructional books. Contributors maintain the property rights to their contributions, while the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License and the GNU Free Documentation License makes sure that the submitted version and its derivative works will always remain freely distributable and reproducible.   Wikibooks   Wikiversity Article About Wikibooks - This is a Wikiversity article regarding Wikibooks and its multitude of uses. See Wikibooks Policy Info about Copyrights for more information.   Keywords: Open Educational ...