Amazingly enough, I discovered that I had already been using several of these tools (or had been exposed to them) on a limited basis. My colleagues and I have been using Google docs (collaboration), Google calendar (scheduling computer labs for information literacy instruction), and Blogger (another Google product) for several months. And, on a personal note, I have a gmail account, have created an iGoogle home page, and have a Bloglines account.
When it came to the diagramming/mapping tools, I played around with Gliffy — I liked the versatility of this product. It can be used for so many different types of activities whether you are creating a flow chart, an org chart, diagrams, etc. As with anything, you seem to only be limited by your imagination on how to apply the tool. You just never know when you will need to use these kinds of tools. It is good to know they exist so that when the opportunity presents itself, you don’t have to go searching.
On the goal setting and to-do list managers, I really liked the 43Things. This is a wonderful tool for those persons who are task oriented (and who can keep everything in their head these days anyway?). I find that I’m always making list of things that require action on my part and this could certainly help me organize everything on the web (I’ll never have to copy everything from my desk calendar again).
I also test drove Lazybase — what a wonderfully easy to use database tool! (Despite having some familiarity with Microsoft Access, I’m always looking for another option.)
The last product that I checked out was MyStickies! Just a great idea! (All three of these “sticky-note” products were interesting and fun.)
One application that I didn’t discover during this session, but had discovered several months ago was bubbl.us. Again, another application that we use at work in brainstorming ideas — a great collaboration tool.
Another great lesson!
Tags: Online Application Tools, Productivity, SLA23Things, Technology
