About two years ago I posted a series on teaching and learning tools that could be used to design and/or complete learning activities that fell into the learning domains defined by Benjamin Bloom and later revised by Anderson & Krathwohl. Since there have been significant advances in tools and increased understanding and how resources can be used for teaching and learning, I thought that I should post an updated list of resources.

All resources are aligned to six cognitive domains and in some cases you will find resources duplicated across domains due to the multiple student engagement strategies that can be employed with the tool.

While the domains and resources are presented in a linear fashion, the learning process can be initiated at any point; however, the lower taxonomic levels should be encompassed within the scaffolding of the learning task.

Creating

• Directing and producing – to directing or producing a product, performance or production is a highly creative process. It requires the student to have vision, understand the components and meld these into a coherent product.
  • NowLive – A social network that lets anyone create a live, interactive talk show. Stickam for audio, in some ways.
  • Plotbot – This tool is specifically designed for script writing. You can write a private script or a public one that others can contribute to. This is a very simple to use tool which could be used by a group to produce a script for performance in class.
  • ACMI Generator – great site for digital storytelling and creating a storyboard scene with a script created by the Australian Centre fot the Moving Image.
  • Talkshoe – Create your own live talk show or interactive podcast.
• Filming, animating, video casting, podcasting, mixing and remixing – these relate to the increasing trend to using and availability of multimedia and multimedia editing tools. Students frequently capture, create, mix and remix content to produce unique products.
  • BlueGrind – Converts text (especially blogs) into podcasts.
  • Feed2Podcast – Convert any RSS feed into a podcast.
  • Gabcast – Record podcasts straight from your phone.
  • Gcast – Record, mix and broadcast your podcasts. You can record messages by phone and upload MP3 files from your computer.
  • Odiogo – convert RSS feeds, text articles and blog posts to podcasts.
  • Storybird – As well as being a tool to write books, it is a place for illustrators to show off their talents. This means you can write your book around a set of pictures supplied by an artist. You could use a variety of pictures to create a unique story or alternative give students the same picture and see how each of them interprets the story differently.
  • Talkr – Convert blogs to audio podcasts.
  • Yodio – Record audio from your phone, add photos and captions.
• Podcasting or vodcasting can also be used for guided asynchronous debates, and iCam and web meeting tool for debates across distances. Mind mapping tools can be used to define arguments and possible rebuttals. Chat rooms and Instant Messaging (IM) services can be enable synchronous debates across distances. Discussion Boards and email can be used for guided asynchronous debates. Persuasive speeches can be presented across distances with mind map tools used in presentation mode.
  • Dropmind – The product looks very good and has all the usual attachments such as notes, hyperlinks, pictures and icons. The unique feature here is that the mind maps can be shown in a presentation mode.
  • Mindmeister – The free basic account allows 6 mindmaps. You can export the mind map as an image file or include it in a website or blog. You can’t add files to the map in the free version although you can in the paid version which also allows for the maps to be created offline. You can add icons to the map, notes, and web links. Collaborators can be invited by e-mail and quite cleverly they give a different color for each collaborator so you can see who has done all the work. The Map can be published online for viewing but doesn’t allow for editing.
  • Mindomo – The free basic account includes 7 Mindmaps which should be enough for most needs. There is a fairly comprehensive help section. I found the Menu a little tricky at first but very useful once I had spent a few minutes with it. Mindomo allows you to make a colorful map which can include pictures, text, video, audio and links to webpages. It has a small library of symbols so pupils will need to learn to upload own images. Students can publish in a private Folder and share maps by e-mail and control how much the recipient can edit. Alternatively they can publish in the Public Folder allowing anyone who finds the map or is given the web address to edit or view.
  • Sketchcast – In essence you record yourself making a drawing and add a narration to make a short film. It could be used as a tutorial tool or simply as a bit of fun. I thought it might be a good way to explain what a word means, a sort of virtual charades
• Programming - Whether it is creating their own applications, programming macros or developing games or multimedia applications within structured environments, learners are routinely creating their own programs to suit their needs and goals. Why not harness that creativity and have learners design a functional project that addressed course objectives and outcomes.
  • Iplotz – This is a very specific tool to allow programmers to design a prototype/wireframe of a webpage or software with some functionality. This can then be shared with others and feedback obtained.
• Publishing – whether via the web or from home computers, publishing in text, media or digital formats are increasing. Again this requires a huge overview of not only the content being published, but the process and product. Related to this concept are also Video blogging – the production of video blogs, blogging and also wiking - creating, adding to and modify content in wikis. Creating or building Mash ups and Digital Storytelling would also fit in this domain.
  • Blinkweb – You do not need to validate your email to begin which can be useful in a class as confirming e-mails before use takes up valuable time. Easy layout and helpful video tutorials. One interesting feature of Blinkweb is the ability to import previous websites into Blinkweb for editing and hosting. I didn’t try the function but if it works as well as the rest of the site then this is something you may want to investigate. It suggested there may be issues with explorer 7 and really I should use Firefox or Google Chrome.
  • Jimdo – There is a wide range of templates to choose from although I found it difficult to visualize what the changes would look like while I was editing. You can fairly easily insert up to date widgets such as Youtube or Slideshows.
  • LiveBinders – Free tool that allows users to curate and share research and resources.
  • my ebook – The tool is very simple to use and creates an excellent finished product. You can either upload content such as scans or pictures etc. or alternatively you can add backgrounds, text etc. direct from the book editor. This tool also allows you to enter video, audio and Flash Animations to your book. Another interesting feature is that you can leave comments when viewing a book.
  • FormatPixl – This is a very professional looking website which produces a quality product. There is a free version but note that the available memory space is only 500k. You can add Youtube videos as well as images to your book. Note there was no apparent way to print out the finished books.
  • Mentormob – cloud-based tool that allows users to create collaborative multimedia learning units.
  • Moonfruit – You can create a website for free and it will be hosted with advertisements for as long as you want. The one condition is that you must visit the site every couple of months to keep it active. Students can collaborate by simply logging in using the same user name and password. Perhaps the one weakness with Moonfruit for some is that it is a bit limited in terms of the widgets you can add.
  • Protagonize – This tool is designed to allow multiple users to write a collaborative book. You can either start your own book or add to someone else’s. This could be used perhaps to write alternative ending to books or as intended to write a work of fiction. I suppose you could also use this tool to write a set of class notes although there are better tools for this. As well as writing the book you have the option to rate and add comments to stories. This means you could also use the tool as a peer assessment tool.
  • Webnode – Simple Log in procedure and very easy to use menu allowed me to create a web site in a few minutes. You can keep it simple or make your site much more interactive with one of the widest range of widgets I have seen on offer.
  • Weebly – Very easy set up and fast intuitive menu helps to build websites very quickly. Not as much flexibility as some, for example, I could only place the image left, right or center, not anywhere as with Moonfruit. On the other hand the upload facility for images was probably one of the simplest I have seen. I also liked the Manage Pages section which was very clear and helpful in putting together the menu. Overall, lacks the sophistication of some of the others but would be very good for publishing a simple website with text, pictures, video etc. The free version comes ad free which makes it useful for course projects.
  • Wix – It was a little slower than some of the tools in this section to load up but this is probably due to the high quality of the tool. There are several flash based tutorials which are clear and very helpful.

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