Ever realise that you should have kept records to view trends of your own learning progression and use of various tools?
After seeing Andrew Jacobs blog post on his top learning tools, I figured I’d do the same. However, this time, I wanted to see the trend of tools I’ve been using since submitting my responses to Jane’s Top 100 Tools for Learning survey over three years. Of course, after doing a search on my blog posts, the only item that came up was my 2012 list because yours truly forgot to write a blog post for 2013. In the words of Homer Simpson, “Doh!”
But all is not lost. Two years is a long time on the internet. A lot can change. Let’s see what has…
So What Was On My List of Top 10 Learning Tools in 2012?
Google Reader
2012 IN 2014 DEAD
Oh my remember that? I lamented it’s loss just like the rest of the world but it was replaced with an out of control Feedly.
Ever see movies where young teens sit in front of green computer screens in darkened rooms scanning massive amounts of data that flashes up in front of their eyes while they try to figure out how to hack into the White House database?
That’s me using the Feedly threads (without the hacking).
Zombie like, the threads of Mashable, BrainPickings, 99U, Knitting Blogs, HBR and scores of other sites flash up on the screen and my eyes zip around scanning for words such as “social learning”, “learning”, “communities”, “networks”, “future of work” and I stop momentarily to scan the headline, make a split second decision to open the link to read, share it to Evernote, or just bookmark it for later reading.
I then amuse myself at the Colossal site to see what artworks people have created with toilet rolls, fruit or gaffa tape.
2012 IN 2014 UNDECIDED
This is an interesting one.
Something tells me it didn’t make my 2013 list and it’s slowly coming back on my 2014 list (begrudgingly – but I didn’t put it into the 2014 list even though I’m now using it daily). Like Facebook, I have a love-hate relationship with LinkedIn but I’m on it. You may have noticed a bit more action in my LinkedIn profile. That’s because I’m a freelancer now and there’s no denying it, this is the premier tool to connect with potential clients and previous colleagues. I am now making more of a concerted effort to link up with people I meet at conferences and events with LinkedIn.
Over the last year I have been using LinkedIn and teaching myself to use more of its functionality. I believe I’m only scratching the surface with this tool and not exploiting it to its full capacity.
Blogger
2012 IN 2014 IN BUT ONLY FOR SENTIMENTAL REASONS
This made my 2012 list but not in 2014. Besides I only use it for my personal blog Ramblings (hence the name, rambling, not learning). It’s unlikely I’ll ever get rid of it because it’s my life since 2005.
My Maverick List in 2012
Google +
2012 IN 2014 IN
Google Plus is not a maverick anymore.
In fact I have been using it a lot more but it didn’t make Jane’s List. If she had the Top 11 – it would have been included.
Like LinkedIn, I always have this disconcerting feeling that I’m only just scratching the surface with Google+ and know that there’s a whole lot more to explore here although I’m using the Hangout function more; some active Google + communities (lurker); and of course, Google Calendar and GMail are critical daily tools that are used.
Learnist
2012 IN 2014 OUT
This is an interesting one. I LOVED Learnist (original version) and used it as a tool where I collected specific links that I would share in workshops or webinars I was conducting so that people could comment and collaborate on the links. But then they changed the design, they removed the Learnist applet (hence making it harder to collate links), and sadly, a little bit of me just died along with it.
I still have an account and hope they resurrect in some way but I’m not holding my breath.
*Sigh* I had so many expectations with this tool alas, it was never meant to be.
Storify
2012 IN 2014 IN
Storify is not a maverick anymore.
I really like Storify and use it often. It’s nifty, it’s quick and easy to use. Simple. It’s a stayer.
Klout
2012 IN 2014 OUT
Oh my, I don’t even know why I put this one up as a maverick. Let’s put this one out of its misery.
Quora
2012 IN 2014 IN
Not a maverick anymore.
Believe it or not, this is a brilliant site to get answers to some of those workplace questions. As a freelancer now, I’m a lurker on this site. It choc full of great ideas, hints, tips and applications.
However, when I’m feeling particularly helpful and a bit whimsical, I use Jelly. It’s the Gen Y version of Quora but on a way simpler scale – no long sentences just pics and short statements. I’ve learned all sorts of things here…some amusing, some weird…
So what is on my 2014 List?
Google Chrome
This is my premier search engine and love their extensions for bits and bobs that I use to do my work online.
A recent annoyance with privacy and security now makes me access all sites through a private network and I use MeecoMe or DuckDuckGo for my searches. I was getting tired of all the push advertising and frankly scaring myself into thinking that our future will be dystopian with Big Brother (or, our Government) wanting to capture all my data.
YouTube
Self explanatory.
Self explanatory.
WordPress
Self explanatory.
Evernote Premium
Brilliant! Wonderful. I can’t say enough about this tool except that once again, I believe I’m not exploiting it to its full capacity. This is the number one site for my content and I search my notebooks for any material for workshops, webinars or presentations.
Yammer
Strangely, this is going down the list ever so slightly. Instead I’m honing in only on certain networks in Yammer namely the NAB Village and the Yammer Customer Network Australia and New Zealand groups. Whereas previously within the organisation, it was my prime tool for networking within the organisation to create cross business unit relationships, now on the outside of the organisation, my focus has changed and don’t access it as often as I used to.
Skitch or Windows Snipping Tool
I use both these tools frequently. Nice quick screen captures with simple annotations.
Meetup
With my Third Place Meetup group this is fast becoming my main network group and the most fun. With meetups in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Newcastle, Brisbane and Melbourne, and with an active online community, I have learned much from the people who joined this group. Although I started the group as an informal networking community around conversations, I am now finding it to be my ‘third place’ community of friends who I can exchange ideas, meetup, have a Skype conversation, discuss work and generally hang out to socialise or co-work.
Our events recently have been evolving to co-working events where we work together at various places like the NAB Village or Inspire9 (and over time will extend to other places); as well as hanging out online through Google Hangouts.
My 2014 Mavericks
Listly
Prediction: WILL STAY IN
Once again I believe I’m only scratching the surface with this tool. Listly is one of the better learning tools I’ve been using actively for a few months now to explore new content and give me a ready list of tools for my Sunday morning PD sessions.
Kindle Books
Prediction: WILL STAY IN BUT NEEDS A SERIOUS REDESIGN
I’m an avid reader and download many books onto the Kindle. I have an account with Kindle Books and you can see my annotations and notes for every book I read. Although I hate the user interface of this site, I have been known to print off my notes made for books and re-read the highlights because for some reason, reading stuff on the Kindle makes me forget what I have read than a physical book!
Vine
Prediction: WILL STAY IN
What’s not to love about this tool? Six seconds video – I just wish I was more creative.
Stellar
Prediction: WILL STAY IN
I love this app. It’s a great way to make a beautiful photo story book and now using it more often for personal projects. I think this one over time will be a stayer.
So let’s wait until next year and see what moves up, down, or off this list of mine….
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