Tools and Resources relating to: Digital and Media Literacy

  • DLFteach Toolkit (Volume 2): Lesson Plans on Immersive Technology - The DLF Digital Library Pedagogy group (aka #DLFteach) is a grassroots community of practice within the Digital Library Federation that empowers digital library practitioners to see themselves as teachers and equip them to engage learners in how digital library technologies shape knowledge infrastructures. This resource is a great guide for educators working with Extended Reality technologies.   DLFteach Toolkit Website
  • CommonSense - Common Sense is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. Common Sense is an independent voice for kids, families, and communities everywhere, combining original research with game-changing advocacy efforts to make the digital world work better for all kids. Their advocacy work highlights legislation related to technology and identifies solutions that protect consumer privacy, push for better connectivity for students and families, and hold tech companies accountable to ensure a healthy internet for all. Common Sense Media rates movies, TV shows, podcasts, books, and more so families can feel good about the entertainment choices they make for their kids. We offer the largest, most trusted library of independent age-based ratings and reviews. Timely parenting advice supports families as they navigate ...
  • Wall Street Survivor - Free stock market simulator and free stock courses to learn how to invest in the stock market. Learn about the Stock Market and trading with real-time stock simulations. Participate in competitions for prizes.   Wall Street Survivor
  • Digital Skills Library - This Digital Skills Library is a collection of resources, tutorials, lessons, etc. which has been built by educators through EdTech Maker Space events focused on content curation of digital skills activities. Through hundreds of hours of service, volunteer contributors have helped to compile nearly 2,000 learning activities that support digital skills development.   Digital Skills Library
  • TED-Ed - TED-Ed is TED’s youth and education initiative. TED-Ed’s mission is to spark and celebrate the ideas of teachers and students around the world. Everything we do supports learning — from producing a growing library of original animated videos, to providing an international platform for teachers to create their own interactive lessons, to helping curious students around the globe bring TED to their schools and gain presentation literacy skills, to celebrating innovative leadership within TED-Ed’s global network of over 650,000 teachers. TED-Ed has grown from an idea worth spreading into an award-winning education platform that serves millions of teachers and students around the world every week.   Ted-Ed
  • DigitalLearn.org - DigitalLearn.org contains a collection of digital skills tutorials on topics such as how to use a search engine, how to get started on a computer, an introduction to email, online safety, video conferencing, Microsoft Word and Excel, and others. These courses are created by the Public Library Association and are available completely free to everyone! The courses are broken down well and information is presented clearly and at a pace appropriate for digital novices. The topics are taught through storytelling using real-world, practical scenarios. There are also interactive practice activities to reinforce learning. Most courses are either new, or newly updated.   DigitalLearn.org
  • Link Lock - Link Lock is a tool for adding a password to a link; in other words, for encrypting and decrypting URLs. When a user visits an encrypted URL, they will be prompted for a password. If the password is correct, Link Lock sends them to the hidden website. Otherwise, an error is displayed. Users can also add hints to remind them of the password.   Link Lock
  • Spot-the-Troll Quiz - The Spot-The-Troll quiz is an educational tool created by Clemson University Media Forensics Hub to help the public learn to spot the markers of inauthenticity in social media accounts. Can you spot a troll?   Spot-the-Troll Quiz
  • Shawn Jordison’s YouTube Playlists of Accessibility Tutorials - These introductory accessibility courses will take you to the next level, even if you are a beginner. Learn the basics of file remediation for PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, and other tools. The YouTube video playlists show how to make files accessible. The playlist that teaches about PowerPoint cover topics such as Slide titles, using a theme, tables, links, alternate text, reading order, and other accessibility elements. The playlists are freely available through YouTube,  however, viewers are also encouraged to access to optional practice documents available through an add-on purchase.  Info about Shawn Jordison's accessibility courses are available on his website and his YouTube channel linked to below provides direct access to a number of video playlists.   Shawn Jordison's YouTube Playlists of Accessibility Tutorials
  • Guide to Digital Security & Privacy – Consumer Reports - Consumer Reports believes digital innovation brings many benefits to consumers. But that innovation also carries new threats to personal privacy and data security. In our nationally representative CR Consumer Voices Survey, 65 percent of Americans told us they are either slightly or not at all confident that their personal data is private and not distributed without their knowledge. To help you navigate the complexities, this guide highlights risks, solutions—and easy-to-follow tips to protect you and your family.\   Guide to Digital Security & Privacy - Consumer Reports
  • IT Security Basics Course – Indiana University - Everyone should have a clear understanding of IT security basic skills, in today's world where our digital lives and connections are increasing constantly. Enroll in the IT Security Basics online course to learn 10 simple and effective skills, habits, and tools to stay safe online. This short, user-friendly course also includes an opportunity to earn an achievement certificate by passing the course's Final Exam.   IT Security Basics Course - Indiana University
  • Copyright and Fair Use | Stanford Libraries - The Copyright and Fair Use Overview section is derived using content from NOLO, with much of it taken from the book Getting Permission (October 2016) by Richard Stim. It is a very comprehensive guide to copyright. This page shares useful information including info about Measuring Fair Use: The Four Factors.   Copyright and Fair Use | Stanford Libraries
  • Checkology | The News Literacy Project - Checkology® Virtual Classroom can help educators, students, and anyone learn how to tell the difference between fact and fiction. Checkology | The News Literacy Project
  • Critical Media Literacy Library Guide – UCLA Libraries - This guide has many free resources to help learn skills to become a critical media literacy consumer and is created and maintained by the  University of California Libraries. Critical Media Literacy Library Guide - UCLA Libraries  
  • Microsoft Sway - Sway is a Microsoft Office application with which you can create portfolios, presentations, websites, newsletters, interactive reports, and more. First of all, Sway is free - you just need to have a Microsoft account (Hotmail, Live, or Outlook.com), and it's easy to use. Formatting is very easy and the transitions they use in the presentation are very attractive and modern, offering three different variants of appearance (vertical, horizontal, or slide type). Microsoft Sway is a part of the Microsoft Office family of products. Sway sites are stored on Microsoft's servers and are tied to the user's Microsoft account. Sway presentations can be viewed and edited from any web browser through Office for the web.   Microsoft Sway   What is Microsoft Sway, and What Can I Do with It? How to use Microsoft Sway   Keywords: Flipped Learning, Presentations
  • UB Libraries’ Authority Research Guide - This Research Guide will help you better understand authority in the context of research and information and provide you with methods of evaluating an information source to determine its authority. Authority, generally, represents the right to give orders, make decisions or have control over something. In information, a source that is authoritative contains credible, reliable evidence and conclusions typically from some sort of expert in that area. In truth, it is a rather complex aspect of information to assess. UB Libraries' Authority Research Guide
  • UB Libraries’ Applied Digital Literacy Coursera MOOC Specialization - This Coursera MOOC Specialization is intended for anyone seeking to develop online, internet researching skills along with advanced knowledge of multimedia for the creation of digital objects such as presentations, infographics, posters, commercials, podcasts, and movies. Through these three courses, learners will cover how to identify their information need, understand which tools to use when fulfilling that need, employ advanced search techniques and tools in various type of information platforms (databases, websites, government repositories, and libraries to name a few), and how to organize the information they find using open data management tools like Endnote and Zotero. In addition, learners explore not only finding and ethically using multimedia but also how to create visually compelling digital artifacts for their personal and professional use. All of these skills will prepare them to conduct effective research (business, academic, and personal) and present ...
  • Screen Mirroring A Phone, IPad Or Laptop To TV: How To Push Your Phone To The Big Screen - Practically everyone has a screen in their pockets at all times, however, looking at photos and videos on a phone’s relatively small display is not the best for viewing. Even watching videos, YouTube, and other content on a computer or laptop screen is not optimal. There are plenty of different ways you can mirror these screens onto most modern televisions. This article shares a number of ways to display from a phone, laptop, or computer onto a larger TV monitor.   Screen Mirroring A Phone, IPad Or Laptop To TV: How To Push Your Phone To The Big Screen  
  • GCF LearnFree.org – Internet Safety Course - Staying safe online is essential in today's world. Use these Internet safety tips to keep yourself and your loved ones protected. This site shares a number of Google search strategies and tips created by the Goodwill Community Foundation (GFC) Global to get you started on your quest to find new things to learn about.  This link connects you with a brief tutorial on searching better with Google. Exploring the site will bring you to multiple resources. For example: Internet safety is the focus @ Internet Safety - GCFLearnFree.org The dashboard presents many topical choices beyond searching @ https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/search-better-2018/ A YouTube Playlist of the videos in this course is also available. Topics include: Creating Strong Passwords Spam and Phishing How to Avoid Malware Understanding Browser Tracking Social Media Privacy Basics What To Do if Your Computer Gets a Virus   GCF LearnFree.org - Internet Safety Course Keywords: digital literacy, lifelong learning
  • Research Skills Tutorial - This is a self-paced, non-credit course that covers research skills, critical thinking, media and internet literacy, and understanding the complexities of the modern information environment (including libraries.)   Research Skills Tutorial   Keywords: Advanced Searching
  • Creating an Online Community, Class or Conference – Quick Tech Guide - This guide is an editable Google Doc that has a wide collection of resources to assist you to create an online community, class or conference. "Are you creating an online course, event or conference? If you’re not a programmer, and if you don’t have a lot of money to spend, this guide will get you started. Read it from top to bottom to get a step-by-step guide to what you can do to set up your course or event. Then check the links to find free or cheap and easy tools that will get the job done for you." The document was initially created and conceived by Stephen Downes, a Canadian philosopher and commentator in the fields of online learning and new media.   Creating an Online Community, Class or Conference - Quick Tech Guide
  • Microsoft Digital Literacy Course - Learn how to effectively use devices, software, and the internet to collaborate with others and discover, use, and create information. The Microsoft Digital Literacy course is for anyone with basic reading skills who want to learn the fundamentals of using digital technologies. The course is at a reading level like that of most newspapers around the world. Learners who complete the course will understand basic computing concepts and skills. After completing each module, learners will receive a Digital Literacy Certificate of Completion that they can download and save. Microsoft Digital Literacy Course
  • oTranscribe - Have you ever had to transcribe an audio content before? You probably had to be listening for 5 seconds, switch to a notepad to type out what you just listened to, and that over and over again. With oTrascribe, you can do the listening and typing in the same environment. With some customizable key combination, you do the following, pause/play the loaded audio, fast-forward, go back a few seconds, etc. If you have some audio or video transcription to do, you can check out Otranscribe.   oTranscribe
  • Wikipedia List of Fact-checking Websites - In this age of misinformation, the internet and mass movement of data on the internet and plethora of data has made is more difficult to know what is true and what is not. People nowadays are looking for instant gratification and quick response and reaction. Fact-checking has become an extremely viable tool.   List of fact-checking websites
  • Edureka - Edureka is an online training provider that helps professionals learn trending technologies for career growth. Learn top trending courses like Big Data, Hadoop, RPA, Cloud, DevOps & More. Expert Educators. Flexible Batch Timings. 24/7 Lifetime Support. Instructor-led Classes. No Cost EMI Option. Edureka - E-Learning Platform
  • Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) - Open Broadcaster Software is free and open-source software for video recording and live streaming. As of 2016, the software is now referred to as OBS Studio. There are versions of OBS Studio available for Microsoft Windows, Mac, and Linux. OBS is useful to create videos and add effects with webcam, screen, and audio capture. It is also one of the best tools for streaming live your meeting, events, conferences on Facebook, YouTube, etc. It also makes OBS easier to use, especially for those new to the world of live-streaming. Anyone involved in live streaming needs to use a live video encoder. Encoding can be done at the software or hardware level. Software encoders like OBS Studio provide the most versatility and are used by the majority of professional broadcasters.   Open Broadcaster Software
  • Association for Authentic, Experiential, & Evidence-Based Learning (AAEEBL) Collaboratory - A collection of ePortfolio examples, tools, and resources shared through community contributions to the Association for Authentic, Experiential, & Evidence-Based Learning (AAEEBL) 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting's Collaboratory. Association for Authentic, Experiential, & Evidence-Based Learning (AAEEBL ) Collaboratory
  • Google AR VR - This site shares information about Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) and how they can be used to bridge the digital and physical worlds. They allow you to take in information and content visually, in the same way you take in the world. AR dramatically expands the ways our devices can help with everyday activities like searching for information, shopping, and expressing yourself. VR lets you experience what it's like to go anywhere — from the front row of a concert to distant planets in outer space. Augmented Reality can put answers right where your questions are, overlaying helpful visual content and information on your real world. Virtual Reality can bring you anywhere, helping you learn about different places and ideas by experiencing them as if you were actually there.   Google AR & VR
  • Kanopy - Kanopy offers thoughtful entertainment free of charge by partnering with public libraries and universities. Individuals affiliated with a library or educational institution can utilize these resources to educate and raise awareness about important issues. It has movies categorized by genre. The user may also use the search feature to find relevant content based on the title or the subject matter.   Kanopy
  • Doodle Buddy - Doodle Buddy is the most fun your fingers can have on a Windows device! It's like finger-painting, but instead of getting your fingers messy, you get to create amazing works of art that you can share with friends. Even non-artists can create a masterpiece with thousands of colors, stencils, and stamps.   Doodle Buddy
  • 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
  • PowerNotes - The PowerNotes Chrome extension eliminates the need to copy and paste or employ other poor processes to capture content. PowerNotes users just highlight material they find useful, include an annotation if appropriate, and then categorize the highlight into a topic of their choosing. PowerNotes is designed to unify the steps of reading, gathering, saving, annotating, organizing, outlining, tracking, and citing research into a single, efficient workflow that feeds directly into the writing process.   PowerNotes   Tutorial Video Resources for Using PowerNotes with Assignments
  • Typology of Free Web-based Learning Technologies - The 2020 Typology of Free Web-based Learning Technologies from the EDUCAUSE research library contains 226 free technologies arranged into 40 types and 15 clusters that educators can use to promote more productive and interactive learning. Brief descriptions, example tools and pedagogical uses are provided for each category. This Typology has been developed by Matt Bower and Jodie Torrington from the Department of Educational Studies at Macquarie University, Australia.   2020 Typology of Free Web-based Learning Technologies 
  • Hoax or Fact - Hoax or Fact is an attempt to spread knowledge and wisdom. To bring out the truths and facts behind all kinds of online rumors and hoax messages. The people, at Hoax or Fact, research, and analysis of various online issues in-depth, so as to put a check on all kinds of online spammers, thus preventing their unfair motives. They thrive to encourage healthy wisdom. Their main goal is to educate Internet users by exposing all kinds of scams, viruses, deceptions, misconceptions, misbeliefs, and unfair hoaxes and rumors. This way, they educate, alert, and save the internet users from unwanted dangers and frauds online. They also provide necessary safety measures and tips to avoid any kind of damage from these online hoax messages.   Hoax or Fact
  • Bitly - Bitly is a link management and URL shortening tool. It can help track how many clicks the shortened link receives, what geographic location the clicks are coming from, and automatically generates QR codes for your Bitly links. In addition, Bitly allows you to track engagement metrics, giving you a clearer picture of how well your content is performing.   Bitly      
  • Google Classroom - A classroom is a place where the knowledge transfer takes place. Usually a one-to-many interaction takes place in a classroom and different assessment tools are used at the end of every topic to evaluate the understanding levels of the students. All these activities which are carried out for centuries inside the physical classrooms are now available with more features and flexibility included in the Google Classroom. Google Classroom makes teaching more productive and meaningful by streamlining assignments, boosting collaboration, and fostering communication. Educators can create classes, distribute assignments, send feedback, and see everything in one place. Classroom also seamlessly integrates with other Google tools like Google Docs and Drive.   Google Classrooms
  • Seeing Isn’t Believing: The Fact Checker’s guide to manipulated video - The Fact Checker's guide to manipulated video is a multimedia module created by Nadine Ajaka, Glenn Kessler, and Elyse Samuels.of the Washington Post. The guide explains the three most common types of manipulated video (missing content, deceptive editing, malicious transformation) and two sub-types of each type. Examples of each type are provided, and at the end of the guide is a form readers can use to tell the authors about videos they believe have been manipulated. Videos in the presentation play without sound, which is helpful for viewing the guide in public and for people with hearing impairments. It is unclear when the guide was first published, but at the time of viewing (April 2020) video examples seemed to be mainly from 2018-2019.  The manipulated videos were usually about political figures, or ideas politicians were trying to promote. The guide may be ...
  • NPTEL – A Centre of MOOCs - National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) is a project of MHRD initiated by seven Indian Institutes of Technology (Bombay, Delhi, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras, Guwahati and Roorkee) along with the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore in 2003, to provide quality education to anyone interested in learning from the IITs. The main goal was to create web and video courses in all major branches of engineering and physical sciences at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels and management courses at the postgraduate level. It is cited as the largest online repository in the world of courses in engineering, basic sciences, and selected humanities and social sciences subjects and is the most accessed library of peer-reviewed educational content in the world. Online courses are available on topics relevant to students in all years of higher education along with basic core courses in sciences and ...
  • New to Working Remotely? These Resources Can Help – LinkedIn free training resources - Almost overnight, remote work has become mainstream. Companies around the world are encouraging their employees to work from home to prioritize the health and safety of their workforce and communities amid coronavirus. Working through this rapid change can be hard and we’re moving quickly to help members get information they can trust, stay connected to their community and learn how to be more productive and successful in their jobs.   New to Working Remotely? These Resources Can Help - LinkedIn free training resources
  • What is a Cognitive Tool for Learning? - The idea of a cognitive tool or 'mind tool' was popularized in the 1990s by David Jonassen. It explains that not all educational technologies are beneficial for learning. According to this concept, only educational technologies that help us learn more deeply than before are beneficial. Definition We usually think of an educational technology as a cognitive tool if it supports higher-order cognition. It is contrasted to an educational technology that does not do anything to support higher-order cognition. Examples For example, a calculator might take the full cognitive load of a multiplication task from a student, thereby not supporting cognition but rather making us 'think less'. By contrast, a spreadsheet or mind map may be a tool that helps us think more deeply about a topic. It will help us sort and organize our thoughts so that we can develop theories and deeper understandings ...
  • Directory of Learning & Performance Tools – Centre for Learning & Performance Technologies - This searchable Directory has been compiled by Jane Hart. The directory contains over 1,000 entries categorised into 35 headings. This directory compliments the website that shares the Top Tools for Learning compiled from an annual survey sent out through the Centre.   Directory of Learning & Performance Tools – Centre for Learning & Performance Technologies
  • Assessing the Accessibility of Web 2.0 Tools - Wendy Torres gave a presentation titled, "Assessing the Accessibility of Web 2.0 Tools," at a recent Online Learning Consortium (OLC) event. The session was very engaging and she shared many ideas about ways to evaluate Web 2.0 tools and apps. Her materials are linked to below. In particular, the scorecards that she developed are very useful to evaluate tools and apps.   Assessing the Accessibility of Web 2.0 Tools - slides from Online Learning Consortium (OLC) presentation   Resources from Workshop Web 2.0 Tools Score Card App Score Card
  • Internet Search Engines: How to Find What You Want on the World Wide Web: Web Search – University at Buffalo Libraries Research Guide - University at Buffalo librarians have evaluated Web directories and search engines and selected the most useful ones out of hundreds for you to help you locate whatever it is that you are looking for. The search tools are organized into the following categories: Web Search Web Directories Multi-Search Current News Search Find People Search Metasites Social Search Engines Internet Search Engines: How to Find What You Want on the World Wide Web: Web Search - University at Buffalo Libraries Research Guide
  • 7 Things You Should Know About Digital Literacies – EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative (ELI) - The concept of digital literacy encompasses a range of skills and knowledge necessary to evaluate, use, and create digital information in various forms. Digital literacies include data literacy, information literacy, visual literacy, media literacy, and metaliteracy, as well as related capacities for assessing social and ethical issues in our digital world. Administrators, faculty members, librarians, instructional designers, and others have a pivotal role to play in helping students understand how information is shaped and shared today across the digital landscape. The 7 Things You Should Know About... series from the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative (ELI) provides concise information on emerging learning technologies. Each brief focuses on a single technology and describes what it is, where it is going, and why it matters to teaching and learning. Use these briefs for a no-jargon, quick overview of a topic and share them with time-pressed colleagues.   7 Things You Should Know About ...
  • Accessibility Toolkit – 2nd Edition - The goal of the book Accessibility Toolkit - 2nd Edition is to provide resources for each content creator, instructional designer, educational technologist, librarian, administrator, and teaching assistant to create a truly open textbook—one that is free and accessible for all students. This resource was created through a collaboration between BCcampus, Camosun College, and CAPER-BC. Authors: Amanda Coolidge, Sue Doner, Tara Robertson, and Josie Gray.   Accessibility Toolkit – 2nd Edition   Keywords: accessibility
  • CUNY Accessibility Toolkit for Open Educational Resources (OER) - This guide was created by the City University of New York (CUNY) to assist Librarians, faculty, staff & OER developers create accessible content and accessible Open Educational Resources (OER). On this guide you will find information on: Creating Accessible Content: Platforms: Evaluating your OER site: VPATs: Voluntary Product Accessibility Template   CUNY Accessibility Toolkit for Open Educational Resources (OER)
  • Paywall: The Business of Scholarship - This full-length (1 hr.) documentary focuses on the need for open access to research and science, questions the rationale behind the $25.2 billion a year that flows into for-profit academic publishers, examines the 35-40% profit margin associated with the top academic publisher Elsevier and looks at how that profit margin is often greater than some of the most profitable tech companies like Apple, Facebook and Google. This film is free to view both in personal and public venues with a CC BY 4.0 Creative Commons license.   Paywall: The Business of Scholarship   Keywords: Creative Commons, Copyright, Open Educational Resource (OER)
  • Remix Project – improving media literacy across the curriculum - The goal of the Remix Project is to improve media literacy across the curriculum so that all students are better prepared for the media-rich world of the twenty-first century. The Remix Project is a collaborative effort of the Hesburgh Libraries and the Kaneb Center for Teaching and Learning from the University at Notre Dame. The Remix platform supports the creation of media as part of college coursework. Remix provides resources for students and faculty. The website provides step-by-step instructions for assignments, along with links to tutorials and other resources. The projects fall under four categories: Audio, Image, Video, and Data, with projects, such as infographic, scientific research posters, and public service announcements.   Remix project   Keywords: tutorials, lesson plans, audio, podcasts, video photos,
  • Visual Learning Center by Visme - The resource to help you become a better visual communicator. The site contains a wide array of resources visual learners and presenters. These resources will help you become a better presenter, communicator, and storyteller by creating better presentations and infographics.   Visual Learning Center by Visme   Keywords: visual learning, digital literacy, blogs and wikis, visualize information, presentation
  • 7 Things You Should Know About Open Textbook Publishing – EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative (ELI) - With the ever rising cost of education, the textbook price is also rising. The open educational resources model has surfaced as a response to this problem and to meet the increasing demand of high-quality learning materials. Open textbooks can be offered by commercial publishers or found in open repositories. Open resources can promote active learning through student interaction with the text, particularly when they contribute to authorship. Although open textbooks face questions about the accuracy and reliability of their content, they allow higher education instructors to design content for their courses on an as-needed basis, choosing from an array of books, articles, videos, audio recordings, and readings. This EDUCAUSE resource provides concise information about OERs. The 7 Things You Should Know About... series from the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative (ELI) provides concise information on emerging learning technologies. Each brief focuses on a single technology and ...
  • Digital Note Taking Strategies That Deepen Student Thinking - In a world of competition and exhilaration, success comes to those who are actively organized. A vital tool to aide students in today's digital era where as much of learning happens online as it does in an in-person classroom is a proper note taking strategy. KQED Inc. describes how digital note taking strategies can enhance students' thinking ability and thus, assist them to achieve success.     Digital Note Taking Strategies That Deepen Student Thinking     Keywords: organization, note taking, digital notes, efficiency  
  • Screenshot Tools, Tips, and Shortcuts: How to Capture Anything on Your Screen - Screenshots are a simple way to show what displays on your screen. Screengrabs can help you point out a bug, save a picture on Facebook to your camera roll, or demonstrate anything you see on your screen. All operating systems comes equipped with a screenshot tool. Use this guide to help you take screenshots.   Screenshot Tools, Tips, and Shortcuts: How to Capture Anything on Your Screen: The Best Screenshot Apps and Shortcuts   Keywords: screengrab, screenshot
  • Versal - Versal is a 'daily learning platform' with a holistic approach with educators as the target audience, Versal provides an online space for easy presentation of lecture materials with integrated interactive assignments. Versal makes online learning simple enough for anyone to deploy. Blend classroom lectures with interactive assignments, make distance learning more effective,   Versal
  • SOL*R Repository - SOL*R is a repository service provided by BCcampus that allows educators to access free online learning resources. SOL*R includes learning resources from a wide variety of disciplines and subject areas. Resources range from open textbooks, individual learning activities, and tools, all the way to full programs.   SOL*R Repository
  • Mason OER Metafinder - The Mason OER Metafinder searches seventeen targets in real-time, instantly returning the top several hundred or so relevant hits from each site. Searches include open textbooks, libraries, museums and organizations from around the world.   Mason OER Metafinder
  • Openly Available Sources Integrated Search (OASIS) - Openly Available Sources Integrated Search (OASIS) is a search tool for open educational resources (OER). OASIS currently searches open content from 52 different sources and contains 155,375 records. Use OASIS to discover quality, free open textbooks, courseware and more. OASIS was developed by the SUNY Geneseo Milne Library, in consultation with SUNY OER Services.   Openly Available Sources Integrated Search (OASIS)
  • Creative Commons - CreativeCommons.org is the official site for Creative Commons, which is an American non-profit organization devoted to expanding the range of creative works available for others to build upon legally and to share. The organization has released several copyright-licenses, known as Creative Commons licenses, free of charge to the public. Use the tools found on Creative Commons tools to share your work. Free, easy-to-use copyright licenses offer a simple, standardized way to give your permission to share and use your creative work. Adopt one of the various CC licenses to share your work according to the conditions of your choice. Creative Commons Licenses dictate whether a resource can be revised and remixed, as well as whether or not commercial entities can use it. The two most “open” licenses are CC By and CC BY– SA because they allow for revisions and remixes along ...
  • Nine Themes of Digital Citizenship - Mike Ribble identified Nine Themes of Digital Citizenship that comprise a digital citizen and he explains each on his website. The updated Digital Citizenship definition is "the continuously developing norms of appropriate, responsible, and empowered technology use."   Nine Themes of Digital Citizenship   Keywords: Digital literacy, Digital Fluency
  • Populr.me - Populr.me can be used for social media, business, education, or many other uses. Build websites with templates for networking, sales, marketing, etc. Drop in text, video, pictures, embeds.  Upgrade for additional features, or keep it free.  Great for building interactive syllabi, professional profiles, ePortfolios, and other online information.   Populr.me   Keywords: web editing, websites
  • SUNY OER Services – Embracing Open Pedagogy - Open Pedagogy is a commitment to learner-driven education AND a process to shape teaching approaches and use tools for learning that enable the learners to contribute by creating and sharing learning content.   SUNY OER Services - Embracing Open Pedagogy
  • 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 ...
  • Podbean - Podbean is used to listen to podcasts and can be used on a phone, mobile device, or desktop. You can use Podbean to easily record and publish your own podcasts.   Podbean
  • 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  
  • StoryMap - StoryMap, by Knight Lab, can be used to tell a highlight of a particular image or historical map (its tagline is "maps that tell stories"). Users can guide viewers through a series of zoomed-in highlights to a particular image or map, highlight areas of interest in the image. Each item that's designated can feature text, images, audio, or video. One example is Arya's Journey, for you Game of Thrones fans. You can view Arya's journey from the book series on a historical map.   StoryMap
  • Thinglink - Thinglink can annotate images with text, audio, or video. You can then share your annotated media in a website, LMS, or present online. Educators can use ThingLink for free. Sharing the content you create with your students can be done from your free account. Allowing students to create content requires a paid teacher account.   Thinglink   Keywords: interactive poster Review Accessibility/Security Info
  • Helping Apps for Practitioners and Educators (HAPPE) - Helping Apps for Practitioners and Educators, HAPPE, is a monthly blog series of the University at Buffalo School of Social Work.  The goal of the series is to connect practitioners and educators in the Helping Professions with mobile apps they may find useful in practice or in their pursuit of life-long learning.  We believe digital literacies are important skills for the new millennium. This series aims to educate and inspire Helpers to appropriately integrate technology into their professional lives.   Happe   Keywords: mental health, counseling, mobile apps
  • Four Moves & A Habit (infographic) - Michael Caulfield, Washington State University Vancouver, leads the American Association of State Colleges and Universities"s Digital Polarization Initiative ("DigiPo"). The work is framed by his "Four Moves & A Habit" strategy from his OER Web Literacy for Student Fact Checkers. Caulfield's work is important, and this infographic of Four Moves & A Habit, provide an exceptional resource for anyone who is trying to teach or practice digital literacy.   Four Moves & A Habit
  • Excelsior Online Writing Lab (OWL) - This open education resource (OER) is designed to assist with reading and writing at the college level. The Excelsior Online Writing Lab (OWL) provides multimedia support to students preparing for college-level writing, as well as students making the transition out of introductory-level writing courses. The Online Reading Comprehension Lab (ORC) is the, first of its kind, online reading resource, which offers an abundance of support materials designed to help students develop college-level reading skills. The OWL site is OER and CC licensed and hundreds of activities are available that can be directly embedded in your own blog or course site.   Excelsior Online Writing Lab (OWL)   This 60-minute webinar about the Excelsior Online Writing Lab (OWL) about Writing in the Disciplines was presented by Dr. Francesco (Frank) Crocco, Director of the Online Writing Lab at Excelsior College.   Keywords: writing, reading, OER  
  • 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
  • Universal Design for Learning (UDL) from the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) - Universal design for learning (UDL) is a framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn. It is described by the National Center for UDL as, "a blueprint for creating instructional goals, methods, materials, and assessments that work for everyone--not a single, one-size-fits-all solution but rather flexible approaches that can be customized and adjusted for individual needs." In designing a course with UDL in mind, an instructor wants to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to learn.   Universal design for learning (UDL) - CAST   Keywords: UDL, accessibility
  • Learning for Justice (formerly Teaching Tolerance) - Learning for Justice (formerly Teaching Tolerance) provides free resources to educators—teachers, administrators, counselors and other practitioners—who work with children from kindergarten through high school. Educators use the materials to supplement the curriculum, to inform their practices, and to create civil and inclusive school communities where children are respected, valued and welcome participants. The program emphasizes social justice and anti-bias. The anti-bias approach encourages children and young people to challenge prejudice and learn how to be agents of change in their own lives. The Social Justice Standards show how anti-bias education works through the four domains of identity, diversity, justice and action.   Teaching Tolerance   Keywords: diversity, global citizenship,
  • 9 Ways to Be a Good Digital Citizen – using technology appropriately - This webpage from Digital Citizenship, developed by Mike Ribble, shares Nine Elements of Digital Citizenship. They fall into three categories, which are listed below.   Respect Your Self / Respect Others Etiquette Access Law Educate Your Self / Connect with Others Communicate Literacy Commerce Protect Your Self / Protect Others Rights & Responsibilities Safety (Security) Health and Welfare   9 Ways to Be a Good Digital Citizen   Keywords: digital literacy, digital fluency
  • OER Community Course Experience - The OER Community Course Experience is created by the State University of New York (SUNY) OER Services. The SUNY OER Community Courses introduce you to the fundamental principles and effective practices related to Open Educational Resources. Throughout the learning space, you have the opportunity to explore and discuss methods and approaches to finding, adopting, customizing, integrating, creating, publishing, and licensing OER. In this course, participants have opportunities to connect in conversation with peers, and work with OER advocates from the SUNY community who can help you along your learning journey.   OER Community Course Experience   Keywords: Open Educational Resources, OER, tutorial  
  • 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  
  • Open Attribution Builder - Open Attribution Builder is a tool to help you build attributions for Open Educational Resources (OER) and other items you find that have Creative Commons licensing. Fill out a form and the app automatically generates an attribution for you. This website is created by the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.   Open Attribution Builder   Keywords: Digital Literacy, Open Educational Resources (OER) & Open Access
  • Discovering Open Educational Resources OER – Temple University - This guide by Temple University is an introduction to open educational resources. It provides information about what open education resources are and how to discover and use them.   Temple University Libraries - Discovering Open Educational Resources OER   Keywords: Open Educational Resources (OER) & Open Access
  • 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  
  • Google – Search Better Tutorial at GCFGlobal - This site shares a number of Google search strategies and tips created by the Goodwill Community Foundation (GFC) Global to get you started on your quest to find new things to learn about. Learn the basics and advanced strategies for searching for info online. Get more out of your Google Search results with this helpful tutorial. Learn about the many hidden features of Google Search in this tutorial.   Google - Search Better Tutorial at GCFGlobal   Keywords: Digital Literacy, Lifelong Learning
  • 7 Things You Should Know About Open Education – EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative (ELI) - Open educational resources (OER) are teaching, learning, and research materials in any medium that reside in the public domain or that have been released under an open license that permits no-cost access, use, adaptation, and redistribution by others. The 7 Things You Should Know About... series from the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative (ELI) provides concise information on emerging learning technologies. Each brief focuses on a single technology and describes what it is, where it is going, and why it matters to teaching and learning. The 7 Things You Should Know About... series from the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative (ELI) provides concise information on emerging learning technologies. Each brief focuses on a single technology and describes what it is, where it is going, and why it matters to teaching and learning. Use these briefs for a no-jargon, quick overview of a topic and share them with time-pressed colleagues.   7 Things You Should Know About Open ...
  • Web2Access (Disabilities and Tests) - Web2Access is a resource that aims to help those making decisions about their use of freely available 'Web 2.0' interactive and collaborate e-learning tools. The website provides rankings based on its accessibility.   Web2Access   Web2Access (Disabilities and Tests) - tests the accessibility of Web 2.0 tools based on different disabilities. Using the results, they then rank the tools from most accessible to least accessible based on that specific disability being tested. Keywords: Accessibility, Websites    
  • SUNY FACT2 Online Accessibility - This website created by the Online Accessibility SUNY Faculty Advisory Council on Teaching and Technology (FACT2) Task Group to provide recommendations and tips on making software and educational resources more accessible and to ensure they comply with Section 508.   SUNY FACT2 Online Accessibility   Why Does Accessibility Matter?   Keywords: Accessibility, Websites
  • Creative Commons USA - Creative Commons USA is a chapter of the CC Global Network. This site provides an array of resources that can be used to further your understanding or train others on Creative Commons such as what it is, how to use materials, implementing, etc.   Creative Commons USA   Keywords: Audio, Collaboration, Copyright, Creative Commons, Digital Footprint/Identity, Digital Literacy, Lifelong Learning, Open Educational Resources (OER) & Open Access, Photos & Images, Video
  • TED Talk: Creative collaboration — a 21st century imperative - "Paul Roe plays the clarinet and has particular musical interests in performance, coaching, research, education and participative music making. Paul's talk is entitled Creative Collaboration -- A 21st Century Imperative. His talk begins with a short performance. In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event."   TEDTalk - Creative collaboration -- a 21st century imperative: Paul Roe at TEDx Fulbright Dublin   Keywords: Collaboration, Lifelong Learning
  • Web Literacy for Student Fact-Checkers - This electronic book helps readers learn how to fact-check claims made on the Internet on a variety of topics. Web Literacy for Student Fact-Checkers   The author, Michael Caulfield, also has a companion blog: Four moves   Keywords: Copyright, Creative Commons, Digital Literacy, Lifelong Learning, Media, Open Educational Resources (OER) & Open Access, Searching
  • The 10 Best Fact Checking Sites - This list of the top 10 sites helps students, or anyone, determine the bias and accuracy of information, which is published by International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). This site introduces you to 10 fact-checking sites.   Top 10 sites to help students check their facts   Keywords: Digital Literacy, Lifelong Learning
  • ALA Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education - The Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education which has been published by the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL). The Framework is organized into six frames, each consisting of a concept central to information literacy, a set of knowledge practices, and a set of dispositions. The six concepts that anchor the frames are presented alphabetically: Authority Is Constructed and Contextual Information Creation as a Process Information Has Value Research as Inquiry Scholarship as Conversation Searching as Strategic Exploration ALA Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education   Keywords: Digital Footprint/Identity, Digital Literacy, Lifelong Learning
  • How can we learn to reject fake news in the digital world? - This article, published by Trudi Jacobson and Tom Mackey in the journal "The Publication," talks about what it means to be a metaliterate person in today's society that is filled with fake news. It also provides strategies to become a critical consumer of information.   How can we learn to reject fake news in the digital world Keywords: Digital Literacy, Lifelong Learning  
  • Public Records and Factual Research (Harvard Law School Library) - This website maintained by the Harvard Law School Library has numerous resources to find public records consisting of business, property, and personal records. Many of the resources are freely available and some provide more in-depth information for a fee.   Public Records and Factual Research (Harvard Law School Library)   Keywords: Digital Footprint/Identity
  • What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains - This video, produced by KarmaTube, discusses the hazards of surfing from page to page on the Internet without taking time to deeply consider what we are interacting with. It brings this point to our attention so that we instead take time to try to focus and contemplate on the information that we do come across.   What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains (4-min. video)  
  • 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. ...
  • Speechnotes - Speechnotes is a powerful speech-enabled online notepad, designed to empower your ideas by implementing a clean & efficient design, so you can focus on your thoughts. They use up-to-date speech-recognition technology, powered by Google, for the most accurate results possible. This very handy tool works in a Chrome browser. No download, no install and even no registration needed, so you can start working right away. There are several useful features. Users can email their work and/or upload it directly to Google Drive or their own computers as a .txt or .doc file. Several languages are available and the text can be translated. In addition, a text-to-speech app is available.   Speechnotes   Voice Typing with Speechnotes - Briefly explains features of Speechnotes This video shows you how easy this tool is to use.   Keywords: Audio, Digital Literacy, Mobile Apps, Presentations, Productivity Tools
  • Google Docs Voice Typing - In Google Docs you can type with your voice instead of your fingers by using the Voice Typing tool, turning voice into written word. In addition to straight dictation, this tool enables you to edit a document. Some examples include highlighting text, inserting a link, deleting words, changing text layout, or adding comments.   Google Docs - Type with your voice   How to use Google Docs Dictation   Keywords: Audio, Blogs, Digital Literacy, Mobile Apps, Presentations, Productivity Tools, Wikis  
  • 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 ...
  • 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
  • Google Calendar - Google Calendar is a time-management and scheduling calendar service developed by Google. Google Calendar allows users to create and edit events. Reminders can be enabled for events, with options available for type and time. Event locations can also be added, and other users can be invited to events.   Google Calendar   Google Help - Calendar Support - Help getting started with Google Calendar and information about notifications, sharing, syncing, importing events, and more. 26 tricks to help you tame Google Calendar - Many of Gcal's best features lurk beneath the surface. This site helps you handle it like a pro.   Keywords: File Management
  • Google Drive (and Google Docs) - Google Drive is a file storage and synchronization service developed by Google that allows users to store files in the cloud, synchronize files across devices, and share files. In addition to a website, Google Drive offers apps with offline capabilities for Windows and macOS computers, and Android and iOS smartphones and tablets. Google Drive encompasses Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, which are parts of the office suite that permits collaborative editing of documents, spreadsheets, presentations, drawings, forms, websites, and more. Files created and edited through the office suite are saved in Google Drive. Google Docs is the original term that described the tools that now make up a portion of the Google Drive suite of applications. Drive is  a place to store your files and Docs refers to the applications that make up the suite of tools found within Google Drive to ...
  • Google Custom Search - Google Custom Search (formerly known as Google Co-op) is a platform provided by Google that allows web developers to feature specialized information in web searches, refine and categorize queries and create customized search engines, based on Google Search. The service allows users to narrow the 11.5 billion indexed webpages down to a topical group of pages relevant to the creator's needs.   Google Custom Search   Custom Search Help - Information and instructions for setting up your own specialized search engine. Rewriting Queries - Sophisticated advice on getting more from your custom search.   Keywords: Searching
  • Google Scholar - Google Scholar is a freely available web search engine that indexes the full text or metadata of scholarly literature across an array of publishing formats and disciplines. Released in beta in November 2004, the Google Scholar index includes most peer-reviewed online academic journals and books, theses and dissertations, preprints, abstracts, technical reports, and other scholarly literature, including court opinions and patents. While Google does not publish the size of Google Scholar's database, third-party researchers estimated it to contain roughly 160 million documents as of May 2014.   Google Scholar   Google Scholar - Search Tips - Get the most out of Google Scholar with some helpful tips on searches, email alerts, citation export, and more. Google Scholar Metrics - Google Scholar Metrics provide an easy way for authors to quickly gauge the visibility and influence of recent articles in scholarly publications.   Keywords: Searching
  • Google Books - Google Books (previously known as Google Book Search and Google Print and by its codename Project Ocean is a service from Google Inc. that searches the full text of books and magazines that Google has scanned, converted to text using optical character recognition (OCR), and stored in its digital database. Books are provided either by publishers and authors, through the Google Books Partner Program, or by Google's library partners, through the Library Project. Additionally, Google has partnered with a number of magazine publishers to digitize their archives.   Google Books   How to use Google Books - Discusses how to read, download, cite, or translate a book.   Keywords: Searching
  • Google Earth - Google Earth is a computer program that renders a 3D representation of Earth based on satellite imagery. The program maps the Earth by the superimposition of images obtained from satellite imagery, aerial photography, and GIS data onto a 3D globe, allowing users to see cities and landscapes from various angles. Users can explore the globe by entering addresses and coordinates, or by using a keyboard or mouse. The program can also be downloaded on a smartphone or tablet, using a touchscreen or stylus to navigate. Users may use the program to add their own data using Keyhole Markup Language and upload them through various sources, such as forums or blogs. Google Earth is able to show various kinds of images overlaid on the surface of the earth and is also a Web Map Service client.   Google Earth   Google Earth Help - Instructions ...
  • Google Arts & Culture - Google Arts & Culture (formerly Google Art Project) is an online platform through which the public can access high-resolution images of artworks housed in the initiative's partner museums. The project was launched on 1 February 2011 by Google, in cooperation with 17 international museums, including the Tate Gallery, London; the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City; and the Uffizi, Florence. Virtual field trips help students see and experience the world in new ways. Students can get in the center of 360-degree photos and 3D scenes with historical importance. Self-guided tours enable anyone to explore anywhere. The tours are great activities for classrooms and for home use.   Google Arts & Culture   Keywords: Photos & Images, Searching
  • DropBox - Dropbox is a cloud drive service that provides file synchronization with personal computers as well as a mobile app. It is a free service that allows you to store and share files with others. It is commonly referred to as a way to backup your files online. Documents, pictures, videos, and presentations can be saved and shared on DropBox.   Dropbox   Advantages and disadvantages of using DropBox   Keywords: Collaboration, File Management, Mobile Apps
  • Google – Advanced Image Search - Click the tab labeled "Images" when using Google to limit your searches to just images. You can then click on "Tools" to reveal advanced search options. Advanced options include size, color, type, and the timeframe of when the image became available. The most useful feature of the Google image search is being able to limit your results based on its usage rights to locate images that are able to be used based on the image's license information. Google recently changed the way image license info is displayed. When filtering by Usage Rights -> Creative Commons licenses, a badge that says “Licensable” is displayed over photos in search results. When you click a badged photo to view, you’ll see a link to the license details of that photo. A reverse image search option is also available by dragging an image into the Google search ...
  • TinEye Reverse Image Search - Tineye is a reverse image search engine. Upon uploading a saved image a user has, TinEye creates a "unique and compact digital signature or fingerprint" of the image and matches it with other indexed images. It is helpful in finding the original source of an image to provide proper attribution.   TinEye Reverse Image Search   How to Use TinEye   Keywords: media, photos, images, Creative Commons, copyright Review Accessibility/Security Info
  • Fotor – online photo editor and design maker - Fotor is a photo editing platform, utilizing exclusive technology to bring an unprecedented level of editing control to everyone. [Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fotor] It is a simplified suite of powerful editing tools for your images. Fotor's fast and intuitive design brings advanced photo editing techniques to anyone who wants to try. With just a few clicks you can achieve impressive results that will let you push your creativity without having to learn some of the confusing ins and outs of other graphics editors. Fotor's software is available on every major mobile device, desktop computer, and online. Fotor One-Tap Enhance, a tool designed to improve the most common imaging problems in the shortest period of time is just one of the many unique features. Fotor GoArt, turn photos into classical painting style artwork. Fotor SDK, the ultimate solution to all users' graphic needs.   Fotor   Fotor Photo Editor ...
  • Be Funky - Be Funky is a suite of graphic editing tools. Photo Editor includes amazing photo effects such as the world-famous Cartoonizer, oil painting, and pop art effects. You can also add extra flair to your photo with hundreds of one-of-a-kind, hand-drawn graphics, like hats, beards, jewelry, photo frames, and graphic overlays. You can also create photo collages with Collage Maker and Designer provides many tools and templates to create posters, flyers, invitations, and more. It has essential editing tools such as crop, resize, and exposure. Unique effects include Cartoonizer, Digital Art, and Enhance DLX. With its photo editor, you can turn photos you like into photos you love and helps to add a little extra flair to your images. If text is your thing, BeFunky photo editor has tons of fonts and customized text layouts for you to choose from as well.   Be Funky   Help Center   Keywords: Media, Photos & Images
  • Flickr - Flickr is an image and video-hosting website and web services suite. In addition to being a popular website for users to share and embed personal photographs, and effectively an online community, the service is widely used by photo researchers and by bloggers to host images that they embed in blogs and social media. Flikr has an enhanced search function to allow searching for images that are under a creative commons license. Flicker allows members unlimited uploads of images that are licensed under Creative Commons.   Flikr   Help for Flickr - The Help - FAQ Support page for Flickr Users Flickr for Education - 18 Ways to Use Flickr in Schools - A blog post regarding the many uses of Flickr as a photo-sharing website in schools and education.   Keywords: Media, Mobile Apps, Photos & Images, Video, Creative Commons
  • Google Photos - Google Photos is a photo sharing and storage service developed by Google and gives users free, unlimited storage for photos up to 16 megapixels and videos up to 1080p resolution.   Google Photos   PC Magazine - 25 Tricks to Master Google Photos - A magazine article describing tricks, tips, and hints users can practice to become more proficient with Google Photos. Using Google Photos in the Classroom - An extensive YouTube video describing how to use Google Photos in the classroom.   Keywords: Media, Mobile Apps, Photos & Images, Video
  • Pinterest - Pinterest is a web and mobile application startup that operates a software system designed to discover information on the World Wide Web, mainly utilizing images and on a shorter scale, GIFs and videos.   Pinterest   The Atlantic - What is Pinterest? - A magazine article that defines what Pinterest is and how it has developed since its beginnings. The Teacher's Guide to Pinterest - An article describing the many uses of Pinterest within Academia and Education. What is Pinterest, and How Does it Work? - An article that describes Pinterest and how to use it.   Keywords: Collaboration, Media, Mobile Apps, Photos & Images, Resource Library, Searching
  • Instagram - Instagram is a mobile, desktop, and Internet-based photo-sharing application and service that allows users to share pictures and videos either publicly or privately. Users can apply various digital filters to their images, and add locations through geotags and assign hashtags to link to other photos.   Instagram   University of New Hampshire - Instagram Help - A simple guide to using Instagram built by the UNH. Do more with Instagram - A board of posts relevant to using Instagram to its fullest.   Keywords: Media, Mobile Apps, Photos & Images, Video
  • Pixlr - Pixlr is a cloud-based set of image tools and utilities, including a number of photo editors, a screen grabber browser extension, and a photo sharing service. The suite was intended for non-professionals, however, the apps range from simple to advanced photo editing. PIXLR   Pixlr Support Page - The link to the Pixlr Support and FAQ page. WikiHow - How to Use the Pixlr Online Image Editor - This wikiHow teaches you how to navigate and use the options in the Pixlr online image editor in order to make changes to an image or photo.   Keywords: Media, Photos & Images Review Accessibility/Security Info
  • LastPass - In this current world of multiple sign-ins, it's difficult to impossible to remember all our passwords. Password managers can be a big help. LastPass remembers all your passwords so you don't have to. Once it's been stored in LastPass, you'll always have it wherever you go. LastPass generates long, randomized passwords that are a barrier to hacking. It goes further to fill in forms and payment details for you once the information is safely stored. It also makes it possible to store digital records and share important information safely.   LastPass   How to use a password manager and why you really should - As the title says, discusses the why and how of keeping passwords safe. Provides links to several informative articles as well as two other password manaagers. (Note: I'm not sure why they don't mention KeyPass - another popular password manager.)   Keywords: ...
  • 7 Things You Should Know About Creative Commons – EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative (ELI) - This concise and well-organized document by Educause explains Creative Commons and its relationship to copyright. Creative Commons allows copyright owners to release some of those rights while retaining others, with the goal of increasing access to and sharing of intellectual property. It further discusses who's using it and how; and the implications for teaching and learning. The 7 Things You Should Know About... series from the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative (ELI) provides concise information on emerging learning technologies. Each brief focuses on a single technology and describes what it is, where it is going, and why it matters to teaching and learning. Use these briefs for a no-jargon, quick overview of a topic and share them with time-pressed colleagues.   7 Things You Should Know About Creative Commons   What we do - What is Creative Commons? - Information about how Creative Commons works, its programs, platforms, and ...
  • Google Search Advanced Feature - Google can be helpful in finding reusable resources. It explains how to use their advanced search features and explains various types of usage rights.   Google Search Advanced Feature   Google Guide making searching even easier - More information about how to use this tool - with examples.   Keywords: Audio, Copyright, Creative Commons, Digital Footprint/Identity, Digital Literacy, Media, Music, Open Educational Resources (OER) & Open Access, Photos & Images Searching
  • Lifelong Learning and Technology Article - This article looks at the interest in lifelong learning among adults. It reports on a Pew Research Center survey on the topic showing considerable interest amount the American public. The Internet is instrumental in meeting this interest, but the use of it varies inversely with levels of education and income.   Lifelong Learning and Technology   Lifelong Learning and Technology by John Horrigan - A podcast on the topic by John Horrigan, a senior researcher at the Pew Research Center who just released the report.   Keywords: Digital Footprint/Identity, Digital Literacy, Lifelong Learning
  • TED Talks: lifelong learning playlist - TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less). This playlist is of 5 TED Talks related to lifelong learning. Titles include "The Nerd's Guide to Learning Everything Online"; The Life-long Learner"; "What We're Learning from Online Education"; "On Being Wrong"; "What Adults Can Learn from Kids."   TED Talks: The love of lifelong learning   Keywords: Digital Footprint/Identity, Digital Literacy, Lifelong Learning
  • Intellectual Property: Part I Video - This entertaining video explaining intellectual property rights and discussing how you can share and protect your rights simultaneously is created the State University of New York Metaliteracy Learning Collaborative.   Intellectual Property: Part I Video (3 min. video)   What is Intellectual Property? - A definition and resources from the World Intellectual Property Organization   Keywords: Copyright, Creative Commons, Digital Footprint/Identity, Digital Literacy, Media, Open Educational Resources (OER) & Open Access
  • Four Reasons to Care About Your Digital Footprint - This enlightening 8-minute video demonstrates the lesser-known issues that can arise from our trips around the Internet. It discusses how extensively our online views are tracked and shows how this information is of commercial value to various entities, how little control we have over who gets access, the possibility of identity theft, and the potential impact on our reputations.   Four Reasons to Care About Your Digital Footprint   Keywords: Digital Footprint/Identity, Digital Literacy
  • 11 Myths of Digital Literacy, Debunked - Designed primarily for educators but relevant for students as well, "11 Digital Literacy Myths, Debunked" provides a definition of "digital literacy." The authors then explore why being digitally literate matters, focusing particularly on common misconceptions.   11 Myths of Digital Literacy, Debunked   Keywords: Digital Literacy
  • Ten Basic Rules of Netiquette or Internet Etiquette - The rules of etiquette are just as important in cyberspace as they are in the real world -- and the evidence of poor netiquette can stick around to haunt you for much longer. Following these basic rules of netiquette, to avoid damaging your online and offline relationships.   Ten Basic Rules of Netiquette or Internet Etiquette   Keywords: Digital Footprint/Identity, Digital Literacy
  • Digication -   You are encouraged to use any available platform or tool to create your EmTech ePortfolio. A few of the many freely-available ePortfolio tools that you can use to build your portfolio can be located through EmTechWIKI and searching the ePortfolio category. Digication is a leading provider of ePortfolio and assessment management systems. Digication develops its platform with students, faculty, programs, and institutions' needs in mind, and enables institutions to close the loop that links student learning to institutional assessment and reporting.   Digication's Official Website   Digication Tutorials New Digication (This version is used in #EmTechMOOC) Quick-Start Guide for the New Digication ePortfolios will provide basic information about how to get started using the New Digication. Getting Started with New Digication video tutorials introduce many of the features you will use to create and edit your ePortfolio. Digication Student Guide contains more in-depth information about creating your ePortfolio.   Publishing and Permissions You ...
  • Pathbrite - Pathbrite offers the best-in-class, cloud-based Portfolio Platform in the market, whereby users can aggregate and showcase all digital evidence of what they have created, achieved and mastered. The portfolio platform transforms individual and community assessment to make understanding the skills, achievements, and knowledge of a person, or group, holistic, continuous and easy. Thousands of higher ed and k-12 schools, as well as companies, rely on Pathbrite to support student and employee success.   Pathbrite   EduTopia: Five Ways to Use Online Porfolios in the Classroom - Five Ways to Use Online Portfolios in the Classroom by Heather Hiles - A blog post that describes the effectiveness and "5 Best Practices" of using ePortfolios in the classroom.   Keywords: ePortfolios, Visual Design
  • PortfolioGen - Developed by teachers, PortfolioGen allows users to easily create a web-based portfolio and display their skills beyond conventional paper-based binders. Users can share their portfolios with prospective employers, principals, professors, and colleagues. PortfolioGen is for teachers, educators, students, and anyone else who desires a simple way to create their own customized portfolio website. Thousands of teachers, students, and educators from all over the world have used PortfolioGen to showcase their skills.   PortfolioGen   Keywords: ePortfolios, Visual Design
  • FolioSpaces - FolioSpaces, powered by "Mahara", enables you to create an online portfolio. It was developed by faculty at the University of Ballarat, AU. It is a fully-featured electronic portfolio, weblog, resume builder and social networking system, connecting users and creating online communities.  You do this by assembling a selection of your resume (curriculum vitae/CV), files, journals, and links to your files onto a web page and sharing the page. FolioSpaces ePortfolio also provides you with the tools to set up a personal learning and development environment.   FolioSpaces   Keywords: ePortfolios, Visual Design
  • Strikingly - Create a beautiful website for you & your business, in minutes. Zero code or design skills required. You can also convert a LinkedIn profile to a personal website in just a few clicks. Add a Blog section to any of your sites to start blogging right away. A separate page is created for each blog post.   Strikingly   Discover Strikingly Sites - A link to the Strikingly community to see what sites have been built recently.   Keywords: Blogs, Collaboration, ePortfolios, Publishing, Websites
  • 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
  • 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.   WordPress.com and WordPress.org   Beginner's Guide for WordPress - How to ...
  • 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
  • AudioBoom - This tool enables you to record and instantly share audio. You can have free unlimited 10 minute recordings. If you want to use your smartphone or tablet, sign up, take the tour, and download the app.   AudioBoom   AudioBoom Help Center - Tutorials and help using AudioBoom tools.   Keywords: audio, media, recording, podcasts Review Accessibility/Security Info
  • SoundCloud - Discover, stream, and share a constantly expanding mix of music from emerging and major artists around the world. SoundCloud is described as a 'social sound platform' and is basically the same as Youtube but for audio files. With SoundCloud you can follow millions of people, musicians, radio channels and podcasts on a vast range of topics or you can create your own channel and upload recordings for people to listen to.   SoundCloud   Get Started on SoundCloud - Guide to starting and managing a SoundCloud account with support resources. Podcasting on SoundCloud - Resource page to get started with recording your podcasts.   Keywords: audio, media, recording, podcasts Review Accessibility/Security Info