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Tools for Dropbox users

Abstract: Modern academic libraries cater the information needs of a more demanding and tech-savvy new generation user group that prefers to reside in an open, self-generated online environment largely supported by Web 2.0 technologies. To reach the users where they are, the libraries should revamp their service strategies by incorporating tools like blogs and online social networks. Blog is a handy technology for library professionals which can be reshaped as an information and publicity tool, as a feedback instrument, as an interactive and collaborative learning medium and as a facility for library promotion. Online social networks connect like minded people who share information, ideas and feelings. The unparalleled growth of user bases of these networks presents an opportunity before academic libraries that may be harnessed by making the library an active member of these communities. The experience of an academic library in India shows that reaching the user at their own time and space is more easy and productive when we adapt new web technologies.

The article addresses a diverse set of user experience guidelines and standards and consists of some really practical and useful tips which can and ought to be implemented right away.

Copyright "rights for the user" champion and author, Cory Doctorow, reports on efforts to guarantee rights for the blind and others with reading disabilities to gain access to the printed word. It's happening at the UN's World Organization for Intellectual Property, and it's the first time they are working on rights for copyright userS in addition to copyright HOLDERS. Read about how U.S. negotiators have opposed this protection for disabled. It's an important issue for educators worldwide, but especially for those in the U.S., whose copyright law has been written to strongly favor corporate interests.

Diigo is much more than a simple web annotation or social bookmarking tool. It is an online research and collaborative research tool that integrates tags, digital highlights, interactive sticky notes, captured snapshots, and group-based collaboration, allowing a whole new process of online information management, learning, and teaching in the 21st Century. 

This is a great resource on Diigo and how to use.

Technology has been trying to 'revolutionize' education for a long time now. The mistake we've been making all along is placing all of the focus on the least important component of the revolution - the tech itself. It's where all the money goes and then what? Nothing left to actually ensure it's going to make the difference we want, with the the people we want to impact - the teacher and the student. It's happened all throughout education tech history in recent times. The film projector, the photocopier, the typewriter, the desktop and laptop computer, data projectors, interactive whiteboards, digital cameras were all heavily invested in ( and many still are today ) to bring engagement and improved teaching and learning to the educational world….But talk of the revolution is still going on. And now we have the tablet. The iPad has begun a new "education revolution" and now the obligatory opposition tech companies have joined the battle. The question has to be asked - are we again starting from the wrong end of the battle lines? Is the iPad (inserted alternative tablet if so desired) the real catalyst or is there so much more to this than money spending school systems can see beyond the new and shiny? It's why I ask the question: Is it the iPad, the App or the User?

Site lets users create interactive maps of any location. users add pins, then share stories or information, images, etc. Could be a good tool for students learning about historical places, local communities, etc. Also a good tool for writing short expository texts.

free educator acct. account awesome images

Humanline's images are available to educators and students for free re-use provided that the attribution guidelines are followed. There are two licensing agreements that users need to be aware of when attributing the works they're re-using. Those licenses are rights-managed and royalty-free. You do need to register as an education user to access all of the images for free.

from tech crunch: ....with a geo-location platform for recording, sharing and discovering connected experiences. Gopogo users create "Strings," what the team describes as sharable social objects that consist of any group of places that have relevance and context for the user

This is a MUST TRY site. It's not often that I'm amazed be an educational resource, but I am with this one. Pora Ora is a stunning educational virtual world for Primary school aged students. Play truely fun educational games which practise skills in English, maths and many other subjects. The graphics and useably is superb. Online safety is at the heart of this site. The parential admin account can set the student's account to free chat with everyone to completely locked down where they have the world to themselves and everything in between. The site has a language filter and users can report any incidents of trouble. Also, the first task requires the user to complete an online safety task. The site is free with a few premium features coming out later. You have got to try this one! http://ictmagic.wikispaces.com/ICT+%26+Web+Tools

"This may be a better metaphor for how we might want to approach effective teacher training. These hats can be worn by many users regardless of head size. They adapt to the wearer, but they're still good hats that get the job done. That's how I truly see "one size fits all" professional development. Stretchy and adaptable but fundamentally effective for every user."

Hundreds of videos on high school math/science. They also have a YouTube channel.

Tutoriales en Inglés de varios cursos

A site housing more than 3000 educational videos

"Graph functions, plot tables of data, evaluate equations, explore transformations, and much more - for free!"

Desmos is an online graphing calculator that allows the user to plot points, graph lines and parabolas. A variety of common algebraic functions are included with sliders, allowing the user to manipulate the data in real time and see the results of those changes. Students can also use it to create math art on coordinate grids.

"Want to make exemplary rubrics in a short amount of time? Try RubiStar out! Registered users can save and edit rubrics online. You can access them from home, school, or on the road. Registration and use of this tool is free, so click the Register link in the login area to the right to get started now."

rubric creating and sharing database

Create rubrics for any activity

New research report from Isto Huvila of Sweden from user survey seeing to explain the different kinds of Wikipedia users and the quality of their contributions. References to other Wikipedia research are included and summarized to show the scholarly community's growing consensus about its reliability and validity. Refers also to new uses of Wikipedia, e.g., scholary journal requiring authors to post their summaries in Wikipedia.

A four slide introduction to diigo as a research tool. This does good job of explaining the concept of social bookmarking while highlighting various features of diigo. I've found that many struggle to grasp the foundation concept of social bookmarking. I think this overview will help answer basic questions for many new users. Of particular use to me as an online teacher is this slide style orientation that can be used to introduce someone to diigo as part of the account creation process. (The slides end with a sign up button.) If you're a new diigo user, this orientation will point out new features and put things in context. If you haven't yet tried Diigo, this is the way to get started.

Purdue team recreates D-Day battlefield, launches learning environment where information searches for user

When it comes to transitioning to Google Apps, we've found that it's important to communicate with your users early and often. Here is a suggested timetable that should help make the transition easy and enable your users to get the most out of the applications.

Explains how Diigo is used in the classroom to make solitary text-based reading social.

"Today, many users are so reliant on search that it's undermining their problem-solving abilities. Ironically, the better search gets, the more dangerous it gets as people increasingly assume that whatever the search engine coughs up must be the answer."