Classroom Tools

The "classroom" here is broadly interpreted as any interaction with an audience.

Name	Comments
Axon2007	What it Does: Organize and process ideas in multiple ways. Runs on: PC only Price: $135 Uniqueness: It's one of only a few tools to provide this combination of functions Best Feature: The extraordinary versatility of the program Worst Feature: The unfamiliar (but logical) and sometimes awkward interface Learning Time: Hours --- Export/Import: Good My use: Regular --- Confidence in Evaluation: Good Comment: "The Axon Idea Processor provides a specially designed environment that supports and empowers the thinking processes. Objects and Links form the basic entities for idea processing. These entities are displayed in a multi-level, 3D workspace." It's true. Classroom note: Allows including student input
CmapTools	What it Does: Concept relationships - Useful in group situation Runs on: PC, Mac, Linux Free Uniqueness: It's one of only a few tools to provide this combination of functions Best Feature: Public server allowing group projects. Worst Feature: Initially difficult to see how powerful it is. Learning Time: Hours --- Export/Import: Medium My use: Infrequent --- Confidence in Evaluation: Good Comment: I have used it quite successfully in several courses. It was particularly helpful in promoting class interaction. Classroom note: Develop group consensus
Dreamweaver	What it Does: Web page creator - The industry standard Runs on: PC only Drexel Site License Best Feature: Doesn't add extra "code" like MS products. Worst Feature: Learning curve is fairly steep. Learning Time: Hours --- Export/Import: Good My use: Daily --- Confidence in Evaluation: Good Comment: Frontpage, the obvious competitor, is licensed at Drexel and is very good so long as you don't want to leave the MS world. Classroom note: Useful for preparing course websites
Firefox	What it Does: Web browser Runs on: PC, Mac, Linux Free, Open Source Best Feature: Add-ins that provide additional fucntions. Worst Feature: Many large institutions are not friendly to FF - e.g. Drexel. Learning Time: Half Hour --- My use: Daily --- Confidence in Evaluation: Good Comment: I use Adblock, NoScript, and All-In-One Sidebar extensions a lot. Classroom note: Useful to present external material - in my case my students produce web pages and we review them in class. Review & Comments about Firefox in Academic Tools Blog
Google Earth	What it Does: View and zoom the entire world Runs on: PC, Mac, Linux - Uses Web Free Uniqueness: It's one of only a few tools to provide this combination of functions Best Feature: Wow factor when exploring a geography-related aspect of a course. Worst Feature: Interface a bit clunky when going beyond basics. Learning Time: Minutes --- Export/Import: Medium Confidence in Evaluation: Good Comment: What a splendid, ever-improving tool. If you use it regularly it's worth it to spring the $20/year for the "plus" version. Classroom note: Wow factor is still high Review & Comments about Google Earth in Academic Tools Blog
MS Powerpoint	What it Does: The standard slide-show creator Runs on: PC, Mac Drexel Site License Best Feature: Professional appearance made easy. Worst Feature: It's difficult to change course in mid-stream presentation. Immediately Useful: Yes --- Learning Time: Hours --- Export/Import: Medium My use: Regular --- Confidence in Evaluation: Good Comment: It's not fair to blame the tool for its misuse, but many people do.
WebCT Vista	What it Does: Course Management system with many features Runs on: Web Drexel Site License Best Feature: Very powerful - particularly for tests, quizzes, homework, remote learning. Worst Feature: Confusing and cumbersome for all but the simplest tasks. Immediately Useful: Yes --- Learning Time: Hours --- Export/Import: Medium My use: Infrequent --- Confidence in Evaluation: Good Comment: Drexel's major online courseware management system. We also have Blackboard in some departments.

 

 

Update: 2006-11-26