Timetoast

Timetoast (http://www.timetoast.com) is a simple, web-based timeline creator. Users can add titles, text, images, and URLs to specific dates or longer spans of time. All timelines are publicly viewable and can be shared via a unique URL or embed code; Timetoast also offers a text view for easy printing. Instructors and students could use Timetoast for project management, personal reflection, or content development and distribution. Thanks to Matt Russell for the share and Timetoast user “zaahirah” for the Space Race timeline below:

WeVideo

WeVideo (https://www.wevideo.com) is an online, flash-based video editing tool. Users shoot digital video through mobile or handheld recorders and then upload files to the WeVideo site for in-browser editing. WeVideo allows users to cut, copy, and paste segments; add text, visual effects, and audio; invite others to collaborate or comment; and publish to various video-sharing and social networking sites. Instructors might use WeVideo to produce content for classes, and students could create, edit, and distribute individual or group projects. Sign-up is required for a free account, and payment is required for some advanced features.

Yammer

Yammer (https://www.yammer.com/) is a private and secure social networking tool designed specifically for businesses and organizations. Users are automatically added to a social network when they enroll using their organization’s email address (e.g. @uwm.edu). Instructors could use Yammer to cultivate a social learning environment that lives apart from public sites like Facebook, and students could join Yammer to share class- and campus-wide information and to collaborate in an online environment. Free apps for the iPhone and other mobile devices are available.

ViewPure

ViewPure (http://viewpure.com/) is a website that allows users to paste in a URL for a YouTube video to view it on a clean background without peripheral comments and recommendations. Instructors could use ViewPure to show YouTube clips in class without displaying unwanted video thumbnails or feedback. Below is a screenshot of a "purified" talking cat video:

Nabble

Nabble (http://www.nabble.com/) allows users to create free discussion forums, mailing lists, photo galleries, blogs, and more using a simple online interface. Nabble generates embed code for the above tools, so instructors could invite outside speakers to participate in public discussion forums within a restricted learning management system, and students could use several of the Nabble tools for collaborative work.

Esponce

Esponce (http://www.esponce.com/) is a feature-rich QR (Quick Response) code creator that brands itself as a “mobile marketing platform.” Users can enter text, hyperlinks, contact information, locations, etc. to generate a two-dimensional, square code that can be deciphered by free mobile apps like Google Search. Esponce also tracks the number and location of code scans and provides the ability to create dynamic, changeable codes. Instructors could use Esponce to distribute content or to assign place-based information-gathering; students could use Esponce to share learning artifacts and research. Here is an example of a QR code for this blog:

750 Words

750 Words (http://750words.com/) is a free, web-based writing tool that encourages users to write the equivalent of three, double-spaced pages every day. 750 Words tracks word count, typing speed, time-to-completion, and a running total as part of a point system to incentivize/gamify the writing process. All writing is by default private, but users can easily share stats with other 750 Words members. Instructors could ask students to keep class journals and use the site to encourage healthy competition, and students could use this site to build the habit of daily writing.