As you can see I have a Tools page setup to share with you some of the tools that I use on a regular (often daily) basis. So, I thought I would take a few moments to highlight a few of my favorites.
Wikispaces
Hands down, Wikispaces is my favorite website for creating pages to share resources. In a few minutes, I can setup a webpage that allows me to share links and resources. If you can edit a word processing document, you can edit a wiki. I even use a Wikispaces wiki as an outline for workshops and presentations. Wikis also allow me to easily embed YouTube videos, Google Docs and just about anything with an embed code. The built-in widgets provide increased customization. Teachers be sure to use the EDUCATORS link to create ad free wikis
WordPress
When I started my Teaching the Civil War blog years ago, I created it on Google’s Blogger platform. As my blog grew and expanded (thanks to my readers), I needed something that was more customizable and flexible. After some research, I decided on WordPress. Now, there are two versions of WordPress. There is the WordPress.com hosted version and the WordPress.org self-hosted version. The WordPress.com hosted version means that your blog will be hosted on their domain and you will have a url like MYGREATBLOG.WORDPRESS.COM. The WordPress.org self-hosted means that you can download and install WordPress on your own webserver or host. My webhost, GoDaddy, has a one-click feature to install WordPress. As you can see from my newly redesigned Teaching the Civil War website and my Beeghley Tech Innovations website, you can create an entire website from a WordPress install and a nice theme. A theme is a shell or skin that gives your blog its look and feel.
Google Apps
I have already blogged about how I use some of the Google Apps, but I will say it again, Google Apps rock. I can manage email, calendar, documents, analytics and much more, all in a free, easy to use interface.
So, can you tell me what you are doing in 140 characters or less? If so, then you’d be great a Twitter. Twitter is a microblog that allows you to share what you are doing, reading, working on or links to the world. Twitter allows you to create a Personal Learning Network where you can ask questions and get quick feedback and follow others to learn from what they are sharing.
So, (cue Sound of Music soundtrack) these are just a few of my favorite of my favorite tools. What are your favorite tools?