Week 7: Top Ten Tech Tools I Can't Live Without

Technology is a huge part of my personal life and career life.  There are so many "tech tools" that I use on a daily basis.  I have compiled a list of ten tech tools that I cannot live without.  I will list them in "countdown mode" from #10 to #1.  Hope you enjoy.

#10 - Glogster - Until ED 505, I had never used Glogster.  Glogster is a Web 2.0 resource that allows students to post information about a certain topic on a virtual bulletin board.  I really enjoyed using it in class, and I will probably use it in the near future for my history students.

#9 - Exam View Pro - This is a test generator tool that I use every week in my social studies classes.  Exam View allows me to input test questions, and the software generates it into a nice and neat test format.  Instead of trying to format a test with a word processor, Exam View does it all for you.  It also has a place for an answer key, and it scrambles and reorders questions.

#8 - Twitter - Twitter is something that I use daily.  I do not "tweet" a lot, but I do follow many.  Twitter is a great way to communicate and learn new ideas in a simple way.  Since enrolling in ED 505, I have followed many educational accounts, and I have picked up a lot of useful information.  I also follow many news sites, and I am made aware of news and events the minute that they happen.

#7 - PowerPoint - PowerPoint is one of the best types of presentation software that is available.  I use it at work for notes and pictures for the students to see.  I teach at my church, and use it there as well.  I have also used it to develop presentations in graduate school.  I know that there are many types of presentation software, such as Prezi and others.  PowerPoint is still my favorite.

#6 - LCD Video Projector - This tech tool is used every single day in my classroom.  I use it to project images, maps, and presentations to my students.  I also use it to show documentaries and educational movies to my students.  ( I also have surround sound hooked up, which is pretty cool.)

#5 - Email - I use email every single day as a method of communication at work and in my personal life.  I currently have 3 email accounts that I use.  I use Tiger Email (UWA) for graduate work, Gmail for my personal use, and I have my work email account.  I usually send or receive numerous emails every day.

#4 - Wireless Printer/Scanner - I love my wireless printer/scanner that I use at home.  I have one in my classroom, but I am not hooked up to a wireless network.  I love that I can sit in my living room and print or scan a document without having to hook my laptop up to it.  I can also print from my IPAD through my wireless network.

#3 - My Smartphone - This is a tech tool that I use, and life would be difficult without it.  I receive email, twitter updates, and access the Internet.  Not to mention, I use it for calls.  We do not have a land-line phone at my home, so my wife and I use our Smartphones.  I also can access the Internet via my Smartphone.  It is a very useful tool.

#2 - My IPAD - I take my IPAD everywhere I go.  I use it at home, church, and at work(school).  I love the apps that are available, via the Itunes App store.  I use it at home, when I do not feel like using my laptop.  It's small and really portable.  I use the calendar app to keep up with my daily activities   I also use many apps in my classroom, such as the "Today in History" app and "The History Channel App"

#1 - My laptop at home and desktop at work - The computer is vital in my day-to-day life.  I use the computer at work to teach concepts using PowerPoint and the Internet.  I use the computer to take attendance at school and to input my grades.  I am also using the computer to complete my graduate work.  Without the computer, I would have a more difficult time completing my masters.