Technology Tools for Teachers

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Commonwealth Educational Media 1
Centre for Asia
Technology Tools for Teachers

The Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA) is an international organisation
established by the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), Vancouver, Canada to promote the meaningful,
relevant and appropriate use of ICTs to serve the educational and training needs of Commonwealth
member states of Asia. CEMCA receives diplomatic privileges and immunities in India under section
3 of the United Nations (Privileges and Immunities) Act, 1947.

Author: Vidya M. S. (email: vidya[at]vidyaonline[dot]net)

Vidya M. S. holds a doctorate and a post-doctoral fellowship in theoretical physics. She has a number
of publications in scholarly journals and is an educator with a passion for science popularisation,
development of entrepreneurial skills among young people, and language and learning particularly
in young children. Some of her work can be seen at http://vidyaonline.net. She is a self-taught
enthusiast of modern information and communication technologies, explorations of which have resulted
in a web portal vidyaonline, which has grown as a partnership for teachers, children and education.
She has also contributed to various technology initiatives, including multimedia products, online
courses, special interest groups, curricula for ICT and repositories of digital resources. She can be
contacted at vidya[at]vidyaonline[dot]net

Copyright © CEMCA, 2014. Technology Tools for Teachers is made available

under a Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 4.0 Licence
(international): http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

For the avoidance of doubt, by applying this licence the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) and the
Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA) do not waive any privileges or immunities
from claims that they may be entitled to assert, nor do COL/CEMCA submit themselves to the
jurisdiction, courts, legal processes or laws of any jurisdiction.

ISBN: 978-81-88770-24-3

The views expressed in this publication are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views
of CEMCA/COL. All products and services mentioned are owned by their respective copyright holders,
and mere presentation in the publication does not mean endorsement by CEMCA/COL.

For further information, contact:

Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia

13/14, Sarv Priya Vihar
New Delhi - 110016
http://www.cemca.org.in

Printed and published by:

Mr. R. Thyagarajan, Head (Administration and Finance)
CEMCA, 13/14 Sarv Priya Vihar
New Delhi - 110016, INDIA

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 Contents
Contents 1
Preface
Introduction
05
07
2 Learn-Teach-Learn 09
2.1 Mind Tools 09
2.1.1 Calendars 09
2.1.2 Journals 09
2.1.3 Mind and Concept Maps 10
2.2 Resource Management Tools 12
2.2.1 Resource Mapping 12
2.2.2 Resource Tagging 13
2.2.3 Extending File Management 13
2.2.4 Backups 14
2.3 Creativity Tools 14
2.3.1 Digital Storytelling 14
2.3.2 Data Visualization 16
2.3.3 Infographics 17
2.3.4 Content Centric Creation Tools 18
2.4 Conclusion 18
3 Online Learning 21
3.1 Learning Management Tools 22
3.1.1 Characteristics of LMS 22
3.1.2 Resources and Activities 22
3.1.3 Course Structure and Learning Paths 23
3.1.4 Tracking Learning 24
3.2 Google Apps for Education 26
3.3 Conclusion 27
4 Subject Specific Tools 29
4.1 Expanding the Knowledge Base 29
4.2 Experiential Learning 30
4.3 Simulations 32
4.4 Conclusion 33
List of Tools 35
Notes and References 39
Credits for Illustrations 40

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 Preface

Way back in the 1950’s a story surfaced about a student’s answer to the question: “Show
how it is possible to determine the height of a tall building with the aid of a barometer.”
The bored, smart but mischievous student came up with about half a dozen answers, all
correct, but refused to provide the expected answer. Obviously, the student had no
patience for trick questions that belittled tools. Warned sufficiently by the story, our
attempt here is to identify and discuss the use of appropriate tools for a given educational
context encountered by a 21st century learner. Of such a learner, the only assumption
being made is that the young century has given her some familiarity with the Web.

The Web is huge. Navigating it without a clear perception of how educational goals can
dictate tool choices, can often result in futile meandering. A rapidly changing
technological landscape only compounds this. Acknowledging therefore, that a given
educational context demands certain specific types of tools, the monograph takes upon
itself the task of searching, assessing and evaluating a sub set of easy and openly
accessible tools which can extend learning and help immerse students in
experimentation and problem solving.

The attempt is to re-examine technology in teaching-learning, particularly at the

secondary level. In the present scenario of large classes, a technology tool’s acid test is to
regain the benefits of the one-to-one approach to teaching and at the same time allow for
an increase in the teacher’s productivity. Multiple tools are therefore, needed to address
the multiple needs of learners. With tools becoming increasingly sophisticated but
simpler to use, our selection of tools are neither prescriptive nor closed. We hope the
pages ahead succeed in communicating this. Our purpose is to emphasize the need for
tools and to equip the readers with a toolkit to examine and use tools for education.

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 Introduction 1
One direct fall out of technological programing user interface, which came to
advancements of recent years is the be termed as the graphical user interface,
displacement of physical resources – was introduced to make computers usable
equipment and books, as the primary by non-technical users. This points to the
teaching-learning material available to second requirement of the tool – ease of
teachers and students alike. Instead, the use; eliminating a lengthy or steep learning
newer digital learning space has come to curve.
stay, changing in its wake, the traditional
The early use of computers in education,
methods of teaching which had remained
before the invention of the graphical user
more or less the same for centuries.
interface, required programming. LOGO
In any given educational context, the need programming language (Papert, 1976,
is to communicate our knowledge to 1980) and later BASIC provided an
students and perhaps to even lead them opportunity to students to create their own
towards independent pursuits when our learning environments. Technology thus
own knowledge base is found wanting. As supported the changing educational
any teacher can vouch, this is easier said practice – to accommodate a learner led
than done. For not only is each student approach as the traditional teacher led
endowed differently but the school system class. It must be pointed out here that
keeps making newer curricular demands in though the development of technology is
order to keep pace with the changing world. mainly for industry and business, the
constant effort to make it easy to use allows
When we need to achieve something and for its adaption in various other fields
find it impossible to do so with purely our including education. Herein, lies a
physical or mental abilities, we look for or limitation that was soon recognized. The
develop a tool. It is interesting to note that need to adapt a technology implies the tool
digital technology made its entry first in was not developed primarily for the
higher education and research as a means of purpose. Over the years, this limitation has
quick computation and data representation. been addressed and tools for exclusive use
Though the tasks were not impossible, in education developed.
technology’s use was deemed imperative to
save time while accomplishing complicated Even a cursory look at the theories of
and involved calculations. This provides the learning or the vast diversity in educational
first criterion for the usefulness of a tool – practice across the world is sufficient to
minimize the time and effort spent on a task. demonstrate that teaching and learning is
highly contextual. There is no uniformity in
It took more than a quarter century to learning, each child being unique. The
design and develop microcomputers, later context of teaching and learning vis-a-vis
called personal computers, which made technology is thus very different from skill
computing accessible to the school system development. Using a tool for a single
too. Acceptance improved when a non- purpose requires skill, using it for multiple

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purposes, as for instance meeting varying Before we get to the tools, we must present
needs of children in a class, requires to ourselves a profile of our students at the
creativity that stems from an understanding secondary level. Our students are capable
of both the context of use and the tool’s of critical thinking and deep understanding
capabilities. Consequently, some situations and can be expected to possess good
require multiple tools. Technology scores communication abilities. They appreciate
on this count. With more than half a century the need for rigor, perseverance and
of engagement with digital technology accuracy in their work and are gradually
leading to the development of inexpensive acquiring an eye for detail and perfection in
computers, tablets and mobile phones as all activities. If encouraged, they can set
one class of hardware and the other class goals and evaluate themselves properly.
that includes handheld devices, digital More importantly, they are comfortable
probes, interactive whiteboards, digital users of technology – keen on exploring
video cameras; together with a mind new tools and applying them to new
boggling array of software to drive them; contexts both at school and their
and the Internet as the backbone of the communities.
digital learning space, teachers have better
opportunities today to individualize To nurture the above abilities, a teacher at
learning than ever before. Individualization the secondary level, aware that gradation in
is the primary goal of technology in the curriculum, teaching methodologies
education. and evaluation are continuous and logically
connected across classes, organizes
Affordability is the third criterion in tool learning in multiple settings, coordinates
selection. Educational contexts are very learning and document achievements and
demanding in terms of resources. The most progress to complete the feedback loop for
appropriate tool for a given educational curricular refinement.
need may not always meet these three
criteria. The ease of use gets compromised Equipped thus, we proceed in the next
first, especially when the educational need chapter to discuss a few categories of tools.
gets very specific. Along with this, the first The specific tool is less important than the
criterion, that of saving time may not be purpose for which it is introduced, for tools
fulfilled either. But the silver lining comes in themselves are evolving and more
the form of movements started about two appropriate ones can be expected. The
decades ago to make software and categories chosen are those that can help in
educational resources free and open (“Free planning an entire academic year and
Open Source Software”, n.d.; “OER organizing learning. Chapter 3 focuses on
Commons”, n.d.). A movement that strives online tools and services, while Chapter 4
to fulfill the three criteriaes to provide a discusses a few subject specific tools.
wide set of tools that can meet
Web-based tools and mobile phone apps are
requirements of all teachers. The following
gaining popularity as anytime anywhere
chapters will be devoted exclusively to free
tools but our discussion will be restricted
and open tools, preferably cross-platform –
mainly to desktop and online tools with
software that can run on multiple types of
mobile apps being alluded to in a few cases.
computer systems, for example on Linux,
An entire set of tools necessary for
Mac and Windows; that can facilitate
maintaining a computer, like anti-virus or
individualization and fulfill the teachers’
system checking tools will however not be
motto of Learn-teach-learn.
discussed.

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 Learn-Teach-Learn 2
An academic year sees a teacher planning, tools, functioning as memory and organizing
teaching, monitoring, assessing and aids, can vastly improve our efficiency.
reporting. Students’ transition from the
elementary level to the secondary level is 2.1.1 Calendars
marked by an increase in analytical abilities.
With greater focus on subject domains, Scheduling mandatory tasks and
multiple learning opportunities, including programmes of the academic year helps the
those that address backlogs and gaps, are teacher and her students jointly to decide
needed for achieving curricular goals. priorities and time frames. Calendars not
Paying individual attention to students only help in time management but it can be
becomes that much more difficult. used to set tasks to students and track their
completion by getting periodic reminders.
Of all the tasks performed by a teacher, Individual calendars can also be set for each
those devoted to teaching and facilitating student. Investing a little time at the
learning must receive maximum time. Her beginning of the academic year and
choice of tools must help in minimizing the periodically updating the calendar jointly
time spent on non-academic activities. Not helps each student retain focus.
only would she need tools to teach better Procrastinating and underestimating the
but also to learn continuously and keep time required for tasks are the usual
track of both her teaching and learning. Her shortcomings that can only be overcome
toolkit must include tools for planning and with constant vigil.
organizing learning, collecting and creating
Rainlendar is a simple desktop calendar.
learning resources, data mining and
Events and to do lists can be created at the
representation and finally, backup tools. We
planning phase and reminders set for each
proceed to introduce tools for these
event and task. The advantage of this tool
purposes.
has over a mobile phone which has a
calendar as a regular feature, is its presence
2.1 Mind Tools on the desktop and the various icons that
can be used to give a quick visual summary
Calendars, mind maps, and notes are of the month’s activities. The tool is however
essential tools for planning and organizing useful only if teachers have personal
ones thoughts. Good planning includes time computers. A more sophisticated calendar
management and strategic plans, and is a that can be synchronized with phones and
prerequisite for any time bound project. emails, Google Calendar will be discussed in
Strategizing requires a drawing board to put Chapter 3.
together available information and common
practices of the trade to zero in on a
2.1.2 Journals
workable plan. While such planning can be
done in one’s mind, experience tells us that For a teacher, a journal, as an everyday

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documentation of her activities and Tomboy Notes are better as they are
observations, is a tool for reflection. A single-utility tools. Both these tools have the
commitment to journal writing is a added feature of organizing notes and share
commitment to examine and re-examine the feature of instantaneous auto save,
ones growth in the profession. In addition, it which makes this class of tools valuable to
helps in planning and reviewing plans and an over-worked teacher. Tomboy Notes can
goals. Like time management, when writing also be synchronized to an online storage.
is regularly done, another habit of mind –
introspection, gets cultivated. It is only 2.1.3 Mind and Concept Maps
when we value something that we encourage
our students to likewise value it. Notes emerge from ideas. Linked notes like
those created in Tomboy Notes are an
One of the simplest tools that combines a elaboration of linked ideas. When we
journal, a notepad and a calendar is the summarize ideas with words or phrases and
RedNotebook (see Fig. 2.1). It can be link them together, we create a visual
configured to load on start up and can be representation called a mind map. For
accessed anytime from the task bar. The example Fig. 2.2 is an example of a mind
tool has an automatic save – any input is map created from notes about Earth. A mind
saved instantaneously. This feature ensures map thus has the potential of visually
that no entry is lost. Journal entries can be representing snap-shots of our mind, which
tagged and searched either using the word could be curricular design for an academic
cloud or the search box (see section 2.2.2). year or the sequence of a teaching session or
a class presentation to take students through
RedNotebook can also be a notes-taking a lesson or brainstorm an issue. When
application but Basket Note Pads or students use mind maps, they discover the

Figure 2.1: Search and statistics in RedNotebook

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Figure 2.2: A Mind Map of related topics

ease with which thoughts and ideas can be easy to prepare organized text as handouts.
organized. They also discover that it is easy It is also possible to attach or link text,
to collectively pool their ideas to design and images and documents to nodes. This
execute a collaborative project. extends the mind map to include teaching
resources.
Text 2 Mindmap is perhaps the easiest
mind mapping tool. Text is input in a text The best use of a mind map in the school
area. Each text line is a node. With respect context is to create concept maps. By
to a text line, those that are indented are showing relationships between concepts, a
branches of that node. However, a tool that bird’s eye view of a topic can be presented.
can mimic our mind needs to achieve more. Concept maps help a teacher decide on the
FreeMind, Freeplane, Xmind and order in which concepts are to be
Visual Understanding Environment
introduced. It functions as a summarizing
are some examples of more sophisticated
tool for learners to represent what they
mind map tools. A few important features
have learnt.
are included in description of tools in the
List of tools. As a rule, maps created in such A carefully constructed hierarchical
tools can fold or unfold to gradually build concept map can be used to design
the presentation while keeping the main assessment and evaluation items that can
idea in focus.
point out whether or not lower order
concepts, necessary for the introduction of
Maps can be exported in multiple formats
including image, PDF or HTML, making it new concepts, have been learnt.

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Text 2 Mindmap can be used to construct stored on her hard disk or other storage
concept maps as well – by inserting devices. With time in short supply, an
relationships within brackets before efficient way of managing digital content
subsidiary concepts. Another easy to use including regular backups to mitigate to
tool is Gliffy Diagrams, a multipurpose app some extent the eventuality of files getting
that can be installed on Google Chrome accidentally deleted becomes necessary.
browser. It is essentially a very intuitive
drag-and-drop drawing tool ideal for flow 2.2.1 Resource Mapping
charts (a concept map can be considered to
be a variant of a flow chart), organizational Native to all computers is a file manager
charts and much more. with a folder structure to hold every variety
of files. More folders can be created within
these, as per requirement, to organize files
2.2 Resource Management Tools
and resources in a convenient way. Every
Many free and open repositories on the web user develops a file and folder naming style.
can help a teacher enrich her lessons. A Through simple and advanced searches, any
teacher also creates digital content and file on the computer can be accessed.
generates digital data that gets stored on her However, this is not a very efficient way of
computer. A frequent user should soon accessing files especially when memory fails
expect to be flooded with files of all varieties to provide suitable search words. Mind map

Figure 2.3: Inserting files in Basket Note Pads

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tools like Freeplane or the notes tool, Basket to a file. For example, a documentary can be
Note Pads can be used with advantage to tagged using the genre, director, country of
link files and extend mind mapping to origin, subjects areas covered, duration and
resource mapping. In Fig. 2.3, along with so on. It can then be searched and retrieved
notes, weblinks, images, an open document for any occasion or learning context. Cross-
file is inserted. Video and Audio files or for platform tools specifically suited to file
that matter any other file including archives tagging are available.
(zip files) or executables can be inserted. If
the computer has suitable applications to
TagSpaces (see Fig. 2.4) is one such tool
open them, Basket Note Pads launches the
with lots of added features. While capable of
applications and displays the file. Notice
all the conventional file management tasks –
that this facility not only helps in accessing
rename, create, move and delete files,
files on the computer within the context of a
TagSpaces makes it easy to tag files by
lesson or learning activity but can also
simple drag and drop actions. It allows for
function as a presentation tool.
colour coding tags and organizing them
2.2.2 Resource Tagging thematically in groups. Batch tagging –
adding and removing many tags to many
Resource mapping cannot be the best way of files at a single go is also possible.
managing resources when a resource
belongs to several themes or topics. Recall 2.2.3 Extending File
that RedNotebook uses tags to label notes
Management
and journal entries. The same logic can be
extended to files. Tags are keywords or Tools such as TagSpaces are designed to
labels. Any number of tags can be assigned enhance productivity. Once a file is

Figure 2.4: TagSpaces interface

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searched, it can be previewed as well. The over a period of time, we tend to forget
full file preview improves upon the where we have copied what. In our anxiety,
thumbnail or icon views presented in native we also make multiple copies of the same set
file managers. In addition to file preview, of files. A backup tool that remembers what
media managers allow basic editing of files we want to keep can come handy at such
and uploading to media sharing websites like times.
Flickr or YouTube.
Some of the tools we have discussed, like the
An important source of images and videos notes tools have a backup feature in addition
are digital cameras. Most cameras come to exporting as text or html files. All
with their own proprietary software to operating systems have an inbuilt backup
download, edit and manage media files but tool in which preferences can be set about
these are not adequate. As more and more what to backup and where. Backup locations
ûles get accumulated, searching and can be on the hard disk or on removable
retrieving a particular image or video can hard disks. Regular backups can be
get tedious. Shotwell and its Windows scheduled.
equivalent, Picasa are tools dedicated to
the management of images and videos. They 2.3 Creativity Tools
can capture information from the camera
like the date and time of exposure, GPS Once an educational context is established, a
latitude and longitude, exposure details and
so on and also provide for user defined
details which include tags, titles, ratings and
teacher needs to create the environment for
learning. She can initiate this with a teaching
F
session, where she imparts instruction, or a
descriptions. Larger the information set, facilitating session, where students can self-
technically termed as metadata which is a learn under her guidance. Whatever a
set of data that describes and gives teacher does, she creates a conducive
information about other data, better can environment for students to create meaning
searches become. (learn) for themselves. We must recall here
that as the learning style of each student is
Mention must be made of another useful tool unique, a teacher has to create as many
– Docear, which integrates with Freeplane learning environments as students. And this
to manage pdf files. Besides a lot of she must, to keep alive the joy of learning for
functionalities, Docear allows for herself and for her students. For this, she has
annotations of pdf files and including them at her disposal, a wide variety of tools and
in the mind map. both technologies and otherwise, that can
help students observe better, remember and
2.2.4 Backups connect thoughts, think deeply to analyze
and solve problems – in short, launch off on
With accumulation of files comes the the path of life-long learning.
constant fear of losing them. Files can
accidentally get deleted, the operating 2.3.1 Digital Storytelling
system can crash or the computer can
simply stop working. It is possible to copy Storytelling is all about packaging an idea
important files manually to pen drives or and communicating it so as to impact the
removable hard disks for safe keeping but audience, more specifically ensuring that

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the story, along with its message is presentation, especially at the secondary
transmitted and re-transmitted either level. Moreover, a highly structured tool as
faithfully or with embellishments or in the case of commonly used Microsoft
personal experiences, to conserve the idea PowerPoint or LibreOffice Impress (with
as well as to extend it. And this is what placeholders for content and presentation
teachers do all the time, except that their outlines) is less suited for creative work.
focus is seldom on fictitious matters. By
adding a digital component to storytelling, In a teacher centric presentation, the
we have the liberty of using multiple media teacher is the active communicator and
in our narration, including the ability to students are active listeners/observers/
make the narrative interactive. The thinkers/processors of information.
educational use of digital storytelling Presentations enhance listening skills and
centres around a learning objective and encourage thinking. They strengthen
communicating, both the process of its conceptual understanding and through the
achievement and the result itself. It can be a use of multi media, enhance teaching.
learn-together tool with inputs from the However, the time spent on making them
teacher and her students. must be commensurate with the learning
that is achieved. Presentations must be in
The familiar computer based presentation conformity with the flow of instructional
(commonly but erroneously referred to as activity of the class and enhance the
PowerPoint presentation) also qualifies as a learning environment. The minimum
digital storyteller. S5 is a simple time saving requirement for achieving all these is to
tool for a straight forward slideshow of text ensure that a content based presentation
and images. A better option for creating has multiple examples to illustrate. For
quick presentations would be any example, a presentation on inflorescence
convenient word processor. No matter what would require photographs of different
page size is chosen, text and images can be flowers and plants. When the purpose is to
centered on it and a page break used for the show photographs in sequence, any image
next slide. When exported as a PDF, it can be viewer (native to all operating systems) is
used on any computer. The standard ‘Fit adequate. Images can be sequentially
Page’ option should be used to display the numbered if necessary. The next-previous
whole page. Arrows or PageDown keys on navigation and the zoom and rotate features
the keyboard can be used for navigation. are more than adequate to achieve the
objective of the lesson.
With a little bit of initial effort, a document
creator like LaTeX with special packages Photographs and videos are perhaps the
suited exclusively for presentations such as most extensively used media for storytelling
Beamer is ideally suited for quick and presentations. The necessary audio
presentations that can also be re-structured narration can be recorded either using
or made part of another presentation easily. simple recorders that come bundled with
The output from Beamer is again a PDF. the operating system or use offline tools
Missing however in these PDF presentations such as Audacity to record and edit sound.
are the fancy transitions and rudimentary Text-to-speech tool like NaturalReader or
animations or sound effects which anyway Text2Speech is quicker and more
contribute little to the content of the convenient especially when our voice

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quality or modulation is poor. Audacity may 2.3.2 Data Visualization

appear intimidating at first but its many
features allow for experimenting with sound Simply put forward, data visualization is all
and mixing them, making it a good learning about describing data visually. Data, as the
tool to understand sound quality and effects definition goes, refers to facts and statistics
as well. Text-to-speech tools are also collected together for reference or analysis.
productivity tools. Listening to a textual As a creativity tool, visualization is a
creation instead of reading, it saves time and graphical representation or explanation of
helps in proof-reading and/or editing. information. It is a way of looking for
patterns in enormous quantities of data, as
There are many easy to use online tools for in the case of demographic data or as Fig.
digital storytelling and presentations (for 2.5 shows, the global flow of people during
example Animoto, Cartoonist – online 2005-10.
comics tool) but mind map tools are far
more effective and interactive. The pathway Returning to Fig. 2.1, notice the word cloud
feature in Visual Understanding at the bottom left corner. Picking up
Environment helps in creating paths commonly used words from journal entries,
through nodes and the paths can be used to RedNotebook generates a word cloud;
highlight desired node in a large map. The bigger a word in the cloud, more frequent is
folding and unfolding feature of most mind its use in the entries. RedNotebook uses
maps are likewise beneficial in focusing word cloud as a search tool but it can also
attention on certain nodes while keeping the be used to glean the context of the entries
bigger picture in front. from prominent words. Wordle is an online

Fig. 2.5: Data visualization, the global flow of people

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tool to generate word clouds, which can be storytelling. A good infographic is one that
considered as a visualization of words in a sets the viewer thinking about the data, its
text piece. Consider the potential of this tool relevance to the context and its implications
it can be used in analysing essays or
for doing something with the data. An
textbooks.
interesting application of word cloud to
create an infographic can be seen at
2.3.3 Infographics
(“Inaugural Words”, 2011) which presents
Data visualization with just the bare American Presidents on a timeline and
minimum textual support that conveys data analyzes their presidential inaugural
patterns and analyses is an example of an addresses. Another example (“World Cup”,
infographic. This is a slight variant of n.d.) is presented in Fig. 2.6.

Figure 2.6: Example of an infographic

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Maps and charts can also qualify as and dropping elements, selecting the font
infographics and so also brochures. But the type and colour, playing with effects, etc.,
real power of an infographic is when the while the former is similar to a
purpose of communication is quick and programming environment where
clear – a communication characterized by instructions are compiled or processed by
messaging and great visual impact. the tool to generate the creation.

A free online tool to create and share Another example is Text 2 Mindmap while
infographics is - easelly. Using templates its WYSIWIG counterpart is Freeplane. The
available on the website and a simple drag need to point out this difference is to bring
and drop of content bits, infographics can be home two aspects of content centric
created easily. If the data is chronological, creation tools:
timelines are an appropriate form of
visualization. An interesting example can be 1 . Content centric tools allow the user to
found at (“Revolutionary User Interfaces”, focus on the content and leave designing
n.d.), a timeline constructed using an online to the tool.
timeline creator Timeline JS, that pulls data 2. The production, be it a document or a
and media details from a spreadsheet. presentation, is of high quality generally
meeting professional standards.
Good data is central in creation of good
infographics or any other learning resource. The first aspect is of importance in the
Spreadsheets and databases are best suited educational context, where the engagement
necessarily is with the quality of content
for collecting, organizing and processing
and the style of presentation, both of which
data.
hardly require a WYSIWIG environment.
Data can be collected or can be accessed Learning to use the tool is often time
consuming, but once a certain amount of
from various sources. Extracting data from
familiarity is acquired, time required for
documents is however not easy. Tabula
new projects drastically reduces. In
makes it easy to extract data from PDF files
addition, as the tool takes care of designing,
into Comma Separated Variable (CSV) or it is absurdly easy to accomplish complex
Tab Separated Variable (TSV) file, which can and demanding creations like books. For
then be imported into any spreadsheet or example this monograph has been created
database or web application for further using LaTeX, which has automated the
processing. generation of contents page, figure
numbers, cross-referencing, bibliography
2.3.4 Content Centric Creation and glossary of tools. LaTeX is ideally
suited for creation of scientific documents
Tools
but it can also be effectively used to create
All creations are content centric. By terming any document.
a tool content centric, we refer to tools like
S5 in opposition to tools like Microsoft 2.4 Conclusion
PowerPoint. The difference is that the latter
tool has a WYSIWYG (What you see is what A teacher’s constant concern is to
you get) interface and the tool offers a encourage creativity. Experiences,
certain amount of interactivity – dragging observations, memory and imagination

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contribute to the development of original systems with integrated learning analysis

thought. The best route she can take is to tools that collect analyse and report data
demonstrate creativity. Every action of hers about learners and their learning has vastly
is under scrutiny and every positive encouraged her to explore different
attitude imbibed. teaching techniques. This takes us to an
entire new dimension of technology tools.
All the preparation, planning and creating is
While such systems can be installed on the
of no consequence if the learning outcome is
school’s hardware, online deployment of
not up to the mark. Her keen observation is
learning systems either as free or paid
sometimes inadequate to gauge her students
services rid the teacher of managing
progress. And nobody knows better than
complex software and hardware but instead
her that grades and marks are not adequate
proofs of learning. The simple tools of allows for setting up a highly interactive
yesterday have matured considerably to learning environment that she had always
enable her to constantly track each dreamt about. In the next Chapter, we
student’s progress. The design and discuss a few online tools and complete
development of learning management learning management systems.

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 Online Learning 3
When a teacher plans a learning session, she Online learning liberates both teachers and
is always aware of time constraints that students. The teacher is not restricted to
prevent longer classes or greater detailing just resources that she can deploy in her
or more question answer time and class but can invite her students to access a
discussion. Worse, she is aware that her larger variety of resources. She can also
sessions address everybody in general and extend her interactions beyond the class.
nobody in particular. Teachers everywhere Device liberation has also come about with
have continuously worked towards easy synchronization of computers, hand-
overcoming the limitation of a switch-on held devices and mobile phones. This brings
in many new possibilities, each attempting
switch-off class which interrupts thought
to eliminate one or the other constraint she
and forces compliance with a single method
conventionally faced. Students can choose
of learning. Possibilities of technology
when to learn and what to learn and from
solutions to such issues emerged only after
whom. Teachers can employ multiple
the Internet became ubiquitous. However, teaching-learning methodologies for the
as graph 3.1 shows, successes and larger same curricular goals and offer learning
acceptance of e-learning took time. style choices to students. Teachers can

Figure 3.1: e-Learning Hype cycle (“eLearning Fundamentals”, n.d.)

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create, share, modify and re-use digital can be a complete virtual school where
learning resources. teachers and students meet online.

We have already encountered a few online

3.1.1 Characteristics of LMS
tools in the previous Chapter. Almost all of
them allow for sharing of content, Except for increasing the ease and
collaboration and linking services, as we will efficiency, administrative tools of LMSs are
see later on in this Chapter. This introduces similar to those encountered in schools.
a connectedness in the workspace, They make it convenient to announce
extending beyond the school boundary. A courses, enroll students and collect
collection of tools can create a complete payments, set up the learning environment
solution for a given educational context. (equivalents of classrooms and labs), assign
teachers, collect statistics (termed as logs),
We examine a few such solutions in this
establish communication between teachers
Chapter. Incorporating such solutions
and students and maintain records. The
requires a higher level of technical comfort,
distinguishing features are those pertaining
especially for installing and maintaining
to delivery of the course and tracking
them, than the simple tools we have
students’ progress and performance. Thus,
encountered so far. To overcome this
LMSs score are in their ability in
difficulty, Software as a Service (SaaS) is
personalizing the learning environment for
increasingly becoming popular. A SaaS is an
each student. Multiple tools are available
online hosted software or application and
for customizing them to every teacher or
users subscribe to the service to use it. The
student’s style. Taking the example of
service provider takes on the responsibility
Moodle, we examine a few general features
of installing, maintaining and providing
of LMSs with the focus being on
tutorials. While most of them are priced
personalizing learning.
solutions, some are offered free.

3.1.2 Resources and Activities

3.1 Learning Management Tools
Learning is centered on content. The
The name says it all. When the learning advantage of digital technology is the
environment has been designed and facility of packaging content in multiple
learning resources created, attention is formats – text, multimedia, video; and
turned to their management to ensure that including as many of them as necessary in a
learning goals are met. Management course. Contrast this with just the textbook
consists of defining the rules of the learning or a few reference books that a typical
environment, deploying learning resources, classroom affords. A file manager facilitates
opening enrollment, facilitating learning, uploading files, searching and including
setting up assessment and evaluation, and selected resources in courses. With the
finally concluding the learning session – proliferation of online repositories like
exactly the same process as in a face-to-face Flickr and YouTube and the ease of
learning situation. A Learning Management integrating them with the LMS, the choice of
System (LMS) can be deployed on the learning resources has increased. This is less
school’s server to extend the school work or of a challenge than building activities

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around them. LMSs have picked up this 3.1.3 Course Structure and
challenge as Fig. 3.2 shows, and built Learning Paths
various interactive elements that include
discussion forums, collaborative A course structure in an LMS is visible to
workspaces, peer assessments, continuous students like a contents page but clearly
teacher grading, surveys and lessons with shows the path to be taken – resources to be
multiple learning paths where the choice of studied, activities to be accomplished and
path is decided on by tracking previous assignments to be submitted. The format of
learning etc. The list keeps increasing with the course can be varied. It can be a time
every passing day. Available in a modular bound course with specific learning
manner, the course creator has the option to expected in a certain time frame or
include only those that suit the pedagogy of thematically structured with no time frame
her course. specified or can be totally discussion based.

Figure 3.2: Types of resources and activities in a course

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While any style can be chosen, a teacher has appropriate learning environments. When
the option of offering the same course in most of the transaction is digital, we have a
multiple formats as resources and activities greater scope for showcasing and tracking
can be re-used or ordered difierently. The learning over a period of time, comparing
course can be structured tightly or made individual showcases to ascertain the
flexible, building new learning sessions as effectiveness of the designed learning
and when students are ready to get to the environment – in short, archiving proofs of
next level. learning as a good feedback loop for the
iterative process of learning. This is
The online nature of the LMS not only facilitated to a large extent by digital
provides for instant messaging together with portfolio tools. A portfolio is a collection of
synchronous and asynchronous creations including, if desired, a
communication between the teacher and documentation of the process of creation.
student but also between the whole class or Allowing all students to present their
a sub-class. The hallmark of a good LMS is achievements in the form of portfolios and
plenty of opportunities to address the preserving them to analyze learning or
minutest of learning needs of each student convert them into learning resources is
as quickly as possible. easily achieved in LMSs. Mahara is a
popular and versatile electronic portfolio
3.1.4 Tracking Learning that integrates with LMSs like Moodle. A
single page of a portfolio with varied
The learning path to be taken can be decided artefacts (content creations) is shown in Fig.
either by the teacher or by the student. The 3.3.
path includes accessing learning resources,
creating products of learning or Mahara is available as a SaaS or for free
demonstrable evidences of learning, download and installation. Apart from
assessment of learning and the inevitable portfolios, LMSs have many other tools to
final evaluation for certification. On an LMS, track learning. A teacher can set conditional
there is ample scope for experimenting with activities that restrict students from
each of these aspects and establishing completing the course if certain tasks are

Figure 3.3: A portfolio work with Mahara

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not completed. She can set a final evaluation in assessment that can easily be achieved in
to rank the student and based on the a digital course delivery. Multiple choice
performance in all activities, allows for the questions, short answers, surveys and polls
completion of the course. She can choose to and more such possibilities that are
keep the student informed of the progress at available in almost all LMSs; some of them
each stage or consolidate all performances allow for combining tools to develop
to declare the final score. Likewise, a student complex assessments. The designed
can track his or her progress by assessments can be used independently for
participating in self-assessing activities and evaluation or in the context of a learning
decide whether to get to the next level or session. Advanced options like rubrics or
not depending on the performances. portfolios are also available. Rubrics are
Opportunity for multiple attempts can easily descriptive tools that convey the quality of
be configured. Complete flexibility can be work or learning. Criteria of assessment or
built to ensure students have the maximum performance is clearly communicated and a
exposure to learning activities which rubric score gives adequate pointers to
include self, peer or teacher assessment and students for improvement.
review.
Pre-made rubrics for almost all school
A model implemented in Moodle, shown in subjects and activities (Rubrics4Teachers,
Fig. 3.4, is an example of the elaborateness n.d.) as well as online tools (Rubistar, n.d.;

Figure 3.4: Assessment model in Moodle-Workshop module

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Figure 3.5: Accessing logs in Moodle

iRubric, n.d.) where rubrics can be created, anywhere tools these applications need just
shared and downloaded are available. a web browser, more specifically Google’s
Chrome browser. Eliminating elaborate
The advantage of using these tools as a part installations or separate user licenses,
of an LMS is the ease of performing the Google provides almost all digital
complicated and memory intensive task of experiences in an intuitively accessible
tracking each student’s progress. LMSs manner, especially for non-technical users
provide for very elaborate and explicit logs of the web. All services and applications can
of students’ activities on the learning be accessed with a single account. In
platform (see Fig. 3.6). Data on number of addition, many networking and service
resources accessed, time spent on studying websites allow access with a Google login.
course materials or participating in
activities, details of student-teacher Google has bundled apps for education that
interactions and other such information is includes Gmail, Calendar, Sites, Documents
readily available to teachers either in the and browser. And all applications have the
raw form for her to interpret them or via well known Google’s powerful search facility
inbuilt data analyses tools. LMSs are inbuilt, so also the facility of sharing. Google
continuously improved to meet the Calendar has all the advantages of a desktop
demanding needs of educators. calendar and the ability to sync with other
applications including desktop calendars,
email and mobile devices. Calendars created
3.2 Google Apps for Education in other tools can be imported into it. A high
utility feature is the ability to create
Google began as a search engine and is multiple calendars including addition of
currently one of the most popular web information like sunrise-sunset times, moon
services for searching the web and for the phase, etc. and can also share them.
ever increasing array of applications (apps) Calendars can be added for all academic
that can be deployed for many purposes, scheduling – projects, activities, resources,
including education. Qualifying as anytime tests, etc.

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Google Drive is an online storage. Any file particular learning style. Fortunately,
can be uploaded to the drive. Files can be technology provides both time and tools to
stored in folders and shared. The powerful cater to each student’s needs. This may
search helps in quick retrieval of files. Files appear unmanageable at first but a little
can be synced and accessed from anywhere. effort at deploying LMSs will yield rich
dividends.
Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides are
applications that allow for online creation of With the days of desktop computing quickly
documents, spreadsheets and presentations giving way to online and mobile computing
with the additional option of sharing them the focus of technological developments
or inviting others to collaborate on them. today is increasingly seen in these areas.
Connectivity is demanded but the ensuing
Perhaps the best starting point to access all ease of use, especially with regard to
Google applications is the Google Chrome technology maintenance worries, more than
browser. Applications can be accessed from compensates for the cost of connectivity.
the browser, making it an alternate desktop. More enamouring are the new possibilities
One can also access the Chrome Web Store of learning that have emerged, some of
where apps can be searched and installed. which we have hinted at in this Chapter, to
Chrome also facilitates online access of meets the cherished goals of teachers
many applications including the Calendar, alluded to in the Introduction.
Gliffy, Gmail and Drive.
Online learning calls for some adaptation
3.3 Conclusion and a change of mindset. Designing online
learning is also not an easy task. Time
Actual learning is fostered better when deployment for designing the learning
students are directly involved in a learning environment and creating digital content
experience rather than just listening to can be enormous and should be justified
teachers’ presentations or lessons. We have only if learning that accrues is superior to
mentioned earlier that each student has a that from conventional methods.

Figure 3.6: A few educational apps in Chrome web store

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 Subject Specific Tools 4
We have encountered many interesting 4.1 Expanding the Knowledge
tools in previous chapters that help in
Base
organizing activities, tasks and creating or
using resources. However, when it comes to The web is an alternative to printed books
introducing students to specific subjects, and a vast collection of all varieties of digital
the focus is on enlarging their knowledge resources. The OER movement has resulted
base by systematically familiarizing them in the establishment of many online
with the techniques of study, instruments repositories. Resources can be searched,
and measures specific to a subject domain. used and adapted. An example is OER
Students need to acquire the discipline of
Commons, is an aggregator of open
the particular discipline, be it science or the
educational resources. Search results can be
arts or technology. Conceptual
filtered on a number of criteria as shown in
understanding comes with long hours of
Fig. 4.1. Belonging to the same class are
engagement with the subject and students at
many others, notably Wikipedia, Curriki and
the secondary level need to make a
institutional repositories like that of NASA.
beginning of getting into the rigors of
systematic study that can enhance their
Maps and globes are inevitable to the social
analytical abilities.
science class. Roll up maps and globes can
Subject specific tools therefore, are not be used to explore not only places and
simple tools to achieve a given task but physical features but also geographical
elaborately designed software that take into information such as latitudes and
consideration both the requirements of longitudes. A major limitation of physical
subject learning and the need for open aids is that their details are fixed. Virtual
ended pursuits to explore and internalize globes and maps score over them. Based on
concepts. We propose to discuss the very high resolution satellite maps, they
characteristics of a few subject specific tools afford a much greater detailing. They allow
in this chapter. Learning the tool and zooming in and out, enabling the selection
exploiting all its functionality however, of an altitude at which a place is viewed.
requires some effort. Based on data, they are completely
searchable. They switch-on and switch-off
The availability of innumerable tools for
features, making the interface as clutter free
every subject, with newer ones getting
added almost on a daily basis, makes it as one wishes. These maps and globes make
diûcult to provide a comprehensive list of excellent teaching aids. At the same time,
subject specific tools. Highlighting tool they lend themselves to independent
categories that are best suited to subject exploration by students and problem
explorations and self-learning, our solving, enabling setting of projects,
discussion is limited to only a few tools in assignments and assessment of
each category to serve as illustrations. performance.

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Figure 4.1: Filtered search at OER Commons

Google Earth is one of the most popular sources to build views that everyone can
virtual globes. Combined with Google maps, easily understand. The tools and other
they enable a variety of teaching-learning teaching resources can be downloaded from
activities. They also have features where the website and used offline for such
locations can be added, descriptions and visualization and data analyses.
photographs inserted to customize the globe
for lessons or activities. Bhuvan and Open
4.2 Experiential Learning
Street Map also provide similar features.
Field Papers is a software that overlays on A hands-on approach to learning must
Open Street Map and constructs a ready to follow teacher’s instruction for a thorough
print map. Activities like history walks or conceptual understanding and/or adequate
identifying trees in the neighbourhood
practice with techniques and procedures.
become easy.
More a student engages with the subject,
Combining data and an urge to fight deeper will the understanding be. Tools that
devastating ignorance, tools like provide for extended engagement with the
Gapminder are applications for generating subject to examine and explore many ‘what
interesting data visualization that provides if’ situations are ideally suited to trigger
fact-based worldviews. Gapminder compiles interest for and deep thinking about the
data on various indicators from different subject domain. Such tools often succeed in

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providing a greater conceptual be easily plugged in into most LMSs and is

understanding of the subject. also available as an app in Google Chrome.

Mathematics generally requires more Spreadsheet software are used to tabulate

practice – to overcome the phobia and to data and also represent them as graphs. The
apply it to other domains. GeoGebra (it cells of a spreadsheet store data as well as
takes the name from geometry and algebra) functions enabling us to make calculations
is a very convenient and useful tool that can on the rows and columns of numbers.
save a lot on paper! It can construct almost Datasets can thus be developed. These can
every conceivable geometrical object (latest then be represented as Bar charts, pie
version can do 3D too). Object drawing is
charts, x-y plots, etc. Spreadsheets are
interactive – can be moved around,
particularly useful in statistical, financial
modified, measured. It has an algebra pane
and other similar data applications.
which provides algebraic representation.
Data can be plotted from a spread sheet (see There are many software, including
Fig. 4.2). By putting a tracer on it is possible GeoGebra, that are especially used to
to observe how the plot of a function visualize mathematical functions. The
changes. Attaching a slider to any variable algebraic and geometric pane of GeoGebra
allows a simulation to be created. This demonstrates how it can be used to plot and
function can be used for standalone view different functions.
assignments. Questions can be framed and
students encouraged to interact with the An electronics class would benefit from a
GeoGebra diagram. Better still, this tool can circuit drawing program. While any drawing

Figure 4.2: Workspace in GeoGebra

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program would be able to draw circuits, which helps in building molecular models,
having a set of ready made icons and tools, rotate them in space, measure bond angles,
which is built around electronics would be a bond distances, etc.
great time saver. XCircuit is one such
generic drawing program tailored for Kalzium extends Avogadro to include a
making circuit diagrams. KiCad is a more Periodic Table of Elements, chemical
involved tool while CircuitLab is an easier reference, chemical equation solver, and a
tool available as a Google Chrome app. data plotting application.

An introduction to chemical structures such

4.3 Simulations
as crystal lattices or organic molecules
would need appropriate visualization which Equipped with the right knowledge base and
can help communicate the geometry of tools to analyze available information to
these molecules. An ability to rotate these in experiment with ideas and apply them to
space would be an added feature. Many real situations, students can be trained or
software have been developed ranging from train themselves to synthesize and integrate
simple to use 2D chemical structure viewers what they know to simulate scenarios and
to those that draw complex DNA structures processes. Simulations are interactive
and even enable computations. Avagadro computer programs which allow a user to
is a very simple and intuitive software, change variables and see the effect of the

Figure 4.3: Workspace in Avogadro

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changes on the system. These are very developed to simulate and allow students an
useful in helping students explore the opportunity to explore scientific
subject, solve problems and can also phenomena. The Easy Java Simulations
become a useful self-assessment tool. is one such authoring tool that can help
GeoGebra can be used in this mode. Defining anyone create interactive simulations.
appropriate sliders or radio buttons, it
allows the user to vary values and see the 4.4 Conclusion
effect of such changes. GeoGebra Tube is a
collaborative library of applets created with Using a tool or creating a tool calls for a
GeoGebra. clear view of the end result – the exact task
to be accomplished. Working back from this,
A variety of science simulations are the ability to understand the process or
available, some of them downloadable and procedure of accomplishing the task
some others as online tools. Online Labs, together with the skill to wield the tool is to
PhET and NetLogo are good examples. A be gained. Therein lies the challenge.
number of javascript libraries have been Therein lies the fascination.

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 List of Tools
Animoto http://animoto.com
Creates videos and presentations by incorporating images, video clips, audio and
text. A limited free version is also available.
Audacity http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
An audio recorder and editor. It handles almost all popular types of sound files.
Avagadro http://avogadro.cc/wiki/Main_Page
An advanced molecule editor and visualizer designed to be used in computational
chemistry, molecular modeling, bioinformatics and related areas.
Basket Note Pads http://basket.kde.org/
A notes taking application that allows for grouping notes and data. Can also make to
do lists. Notes can be exported as html.
Beamer http://sourceforge.net/projects/latex-beamer/
A LaTeX package for creating presentations. A Beamer presentation is created like
any other LaTeX document. A few extra commands need to be mastered. Many
templates are available on the Internet to lessen this task.
Bhuvan http://bhuvan.nrsc.gov.in/bhuvan_links.php
A gateway to Indian Earth observation. Offers visualization of multi resolution
satellite images, is a platform for Government data, can enriching maps with people’s
inputs, provides disaster support services and more.
Cartoonist – online comics tool http://animoto.com
Creates cartoons or multimedia stories using backgrounds, characters, props, images
and text. A limited free version is also available.
CircuitLab https://www.circuitlab.com
An electrical circuits designing tool available as a Google Chrome app.
Docear http://www.docear.org/
Maps PDF files which can be annotated. Includes many more features for searching,
organizing and abstracting. Annotations can also be imported.
easelly http://www.easel.ly/
An online tool to create infographics that can either be built from scratch or
assembled using templates available on the website.
Easy Java Simulations http://fem.um.es/Ejs/
A free authoring tool written in Java that helps non-programmers create interactive
simulations in Java or Javascript, mainly for teaching or learning purposes.

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Field Papers http://fieldpapers.org/

A tool to create a multi-page atlas of anywhere in the world. Once printed it can taken
into the field to record notes and observations about the area, or can be used as a
personal tour guide in a new city.
Flickr https://www.flickr.com/
An online photo and video management and sharing website.
FreeMind http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
A mindmapping tool that can also organize hierarchies. Has an emphasis on folding
nodes and is a knowledge and content management tool.
Freeplane http://freeplane.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
A mindmapping tool that organizes ideas in nodes. Nodes can be freely positioned or
connected. Has different export options. Files can be linked to nodes and add-ons can
extend its features.
Gapminder http://www.gapminder.org
A tool to build fact-based world views to learn about global patterns and trends.
GeoGebra http://www.geogebra.org/
A free mathematics software for all levels of education that joins geometry, algebra,
tables, graphing, statistics and calculus in one easy-to-use package.
GeoGebra Tube http://geogebratube.org
Is a collaborative library of applets created with GeoGebra.
Gliffy Diagrams https://www.google.com/chrome/browser/
A Chrome app that also works offine and can create diagrams and flowcharts quickly
and easily for presentations, wikis or web pages. Requires Google Chrome browser to
be installed.
Google http://www.google.com
An ever increasing collection of web applications including a very popular search
website and email service. All services and applications can be accessed by creating a
free user account.
Google Earth http://www.google.com/earth/
A virtual globe, map and geographical information tool.
Kalzium hhttp://edu.kde.org/kalzium/
An information rich application on the periodic system of elements.
KiCad http://opencircuitdesign.com/xcircuit/
A program for drawing electrical circuits, design of printed circuits and more.
LaTeX http://latex-project.org/
A general purpose document creator for high quality complex documents and
presentations that can easily conform to a pre-decided consistent design.

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Mahara https://mahara.org/
An electronic portfolio for recording evidences of learning. Students and teachers
can display their creations.
Moodle https://moodle.org/
A learning platform for personalizing learning. Can be installed locally on the school
server or hosted on the Web.
NaturalReader http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
A Text to Speech software with natural sounding voices. Can convert any written text
including PDF files into spoken words.
NetLogo http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/
A programmable modeling environment.
OER Commons https://www.oercommons.org
A ggregates open educational resources.
Online Labs http://www.olabs.co.in/
Offers subject-wise content, simulations, animations and lab videos. Access to Online
Labs is free for schools upon registration.
Open Street Map http://www.google.com/earth/
Is built by a community of mappers that contribute and maintain data about roads,
trails, caf´es, railway stations, and much more, all over the world.
PhET http://phet.colorado.edu/
Provides interactive, research-based simulations of physical phenomena.
Picasa http://picasa.google.co.in/
An image organizer and image viewer for organizing and editing digital photos, plus
an integrated photo-sharing website. Available for Windows and Mac systems.
Rainlendar http://www.rainlendar.net/cms/index.php
A customizable calendar application which stays out of the way but keeps all
important events and tasks always visible on the desktop.
RedNotebook http://rednotebook.sourceforge.net/
A diary and journal. It includes a calendar navigation, customizable templates,
export functionality and word cloud. Entries can be formatted, tagged and searched.
S5 http://meyerweb.com/eric/tools/s5/
A simple slide show system that generates presentation slides and printed handouts
from the same file.
Shotwell https://wiki.gnome.org/Apps/Shotwell
A personal photo management tool on the Linux platform. Also imports from camera
and edits images.

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Tabula http://tabula.nerdpower.org/
A text mining and data extraction tool. Data can be extracted from PDF and imported
into spreadsheet or database applications for further processing and analyzing.
TagSpaces http://www.tagspaces.org/
A data manager to organize files by tagging them.
Text 2 Mindmap https://www.text2mindmap.com/
A simple mindmapping tool that takes tabbed text as input to generate mind maps.
Maps can be downloaded as images.
Text2Speech http://www.text2speech.org/
An online tool. After entering text, a voice can be selected to convert text to audio.
The resulting mp3 file can be downloaded.
Timeline JS http://timeline.knightlab.com
A tool for building visually rich timelines using a simple spreadsheet. It can pull
media – images, video and more from a variety of sources and has in-built support
for Google Maps, YouTube, etc.
Tomboy Notes https://wiki.gnome.org/Apps/Tomboy
Simple and easy to use notes taking application. Has the potential to help in
organizing ideas and information. Can be synchronized with Dropbox (https://
www.dropbox.com/ an online free storage, sharing and a synchronizing service).
Visual Understanding Environment http://vue.tufts.edu/
Provides a flexible visual environment for structuring, presenting, and sharing digital
information.
Wordle http://www.wordle.net/
An online tool that generates a word cloud for a text piece composed in it or pasted
in the text box available under ‘Create’ menu.
XCircuit http://opencircuitdesign.com/xcircuit/
A program for drawing publishable-quality electrical circuit schematic diagrams and
related figures.
Xmind http://www.xmind.net/
A mindmapping tool to clarify thinking, manage information, brainstorm and
organize work.
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/
A website to share originally-created videos.

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Notes and References
eLearning Fundamentals. Retrieved from
http://www.leerbeleving.nl/wbts/1/history_of_elearning.html

Free Open Source Software. Retrieved from

http://freeopensourcesoftware.org/index.php?title=Main_Page

Hype cycle. Retrieved from

http://www.gartner.com/technology/research/methodologies/hype-cycle.jsp

Inaugural Words: 1789 to the Present (2011). Retrieved from

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/01/17/washington 20090117_
ADDRESSES.html

iRubric, a part of RCampus: A complete education management system, Retrieved from

http://www.rcampus.com/indexrubric.cfm

OER Commons. Retrieved from https://www.oercommons.org/

Papert, Seymour (1976, June). An Evaluative Study of Modern Technology in Education, MIT
Artificial Intelligence Laboratory Memo No. 371. Retrieved from
http://www.papert.org/articles/AnEvaluativeStudyofModernTechnology.html

Papert, Seymour (1980). Redefining Childhood: The Computer Presence as an Experiment in

Developmental Psychology. Retrieved from
http://www.papert.org/articles/RedefiningChildhood.html

Revolutionary User Interfaces. Retrieved from

http://timeline.knightlab.com/examples/user-interface/

Rubistar, an online rubric makers. Retrieved from http://rubistar.4teachers.org/

Rubrics4Teachers, Pre made rubrics covering a variety of subjects. Retrieved from

http://www.rubrics4teachers.com/

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Technology Tools for Teachers

Credits for Illustrations

Some of the graphics in this publication are taken from the following sources.

Figure 2.1: Retrieved from http://rednotebook.sourceforge.net/screenshots/

rednotebook-1.1-2.png

Figure 2.3: Retrieved from http://basket.kde.org/screenshots/basket-note-pads.png

Figure 2.4: Retrieved from http://www.tagspaces.org/content/v1.7/tagspaces-

tagging.png

Figure 2.5: (CC BY-NC-SA) Screen shot from http://visualizing.org/visualizations/

global-flow-people

Figure 2.6: (CC BY-NC-SA) Retrieved from http://www.visualizing.org/visualizations/

world-cup-2014-schedule

Figure 3.1: (CC BY-NC-SA) Retrieved from http://www.leerbeleving.nl/wbts/1/

cycle.gif

Figure 3.2: Retrieved from https://docs.moodle.org/24/en/File:activity_chooser.png

Figure 3.3: (CC BY-SA) Retrieved from http://mahara.ucs.ac.uk/artefact/file/

download.php?file=55982&view=2579

Figure 3.4: Retrieved from https://docs.moodle.org/24/en/

File:workshop_grades_calculation.png

Figure 3.5: Retrieved from https://docs.moodle.org/27/en/File:logging.png

40 Commonwealth Educational Media

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Technology Tools for Teachers

4 Commonwealth Educational Media

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