Assessment of 8 Technology Tools Introduced in Class

1) MOODLE
Moodle is a free course management system. Moodle is intended to help instructors build online courses with a chance for successful interaction. Moodle has many features that make it an impressive course management system. I find Moodle to be very effective and simple to use. I like how I am able to view the class assignments, message the instructor or colleague if I have a question, and view my grades for the assignments I have submitted. With Moodle I was also able to create a personal profile, so that my instructor and fellow colleagues can get to know me a little better. The only problem I have encountered with Moodle is that some of the dates to submit assignments were inaccurate and sometimes the page does not function properly. Overall, I would recommend Moodle others. I rate Moodle a Thumbs Up for being an efficient internet based community.

2) Delicious List
Delicious is a free online storage that helps me organize and save many important websites all in one online account. It is an impressive storage space that enables me to save bookmarks, as well as share my bookmarks with users in my network. I also like how I am able to view others users lists by typing in a topic into the search bar. For personal reasons, you may also bookmark a website as private on your Delicious list. Overall, Delicious is a wonderful free social bookmarking service and I give it a Two Thumbs Up.

3) Firefox browser
Mozilla Firefox is a fast and reliable web browser. Firefox includes many interesting features which include pop up blocking, tabbed browsing, built in search bar, and easy to use privacy controls. The users also have more control over cookies and history by means of the clear recent history option under tools. I like how it notifies the user if the page is secure or not. I like the easy way to open additional tabs and after a crash it memorizes the tabbed page and the user has the option of returning to the same tabs the next time they open up Firefox. Overall, Mozilla Firefox offers a faster and safer browsing experience, I offer Mozilla Firefox Two Thumps Up.

4) Google Suite Apps (Applications)
Google Applications offers many wonderful features to its users. A Google account allows the user to check the calendar and Gmail. Through Google Apps, the user is able to chat and work together on documents. Google Docs makes it easy to share documents with other users and even publish them. In the Google spreadsheet, it is easy to create and modify documents.
The user is also able to view maps, videos, images, a calendar, and it also translates the text to the users’ desired language. I was really amazed when I sent my email messages from my yahoo account to my Gmail account; I noticed that the email arrives within seconds from when it was sent. That was truly impressive. Overall, I offer Google Apps a Thumbs Up.

5) Read the Words
Read the Words is a free online service that offers text to speech technology, that services people with written material. It can read any text, document, and website. It produces a voice that can be customized to the users’ preference which reads the words out loud at the users’ request. I believe that Read the Words can be valuable to people with disabilities. Especially to those who are deaf and mute, Read the Words can be very essential. I also find Read the Words helpful to those who are trying to learn another language. The only downfall I encountered was that it mispronounces certain words. But other than that, I give Read the Words Two Thumbs Up.

6) TokBox
Tokbox is a free and fun video chat website that requires no downloads. Tokbox allows users to have live video conversations online. Creating an account was quick, free, and so simple. I was able to edit and personalize my profile. Tokbox provides many features such as instant messaging, video calling, and video conferencing. I was amazed at how I was able to record a video and then send it to a friend through their email account. Also, the user can share pictures, videos and documents through the video chat. It also has privacy control, so I was able to control who can or cannot view my page. Tokbox is definitely worth exploring, I give it a Thumbs Up.

7) Web-conferencing tool: Twiddla
Twiddla is a free web conferencing tool which requires no additional software or downloads. Twiddla’s meeting area is a blank canvas where you can basically do whatever you choose. Its whiteboard area includes tools for drawing, adding shapes and texts, and images that you can upload from your computer. With Twiddla, you can upload images or documents which can be viewed by those participating in the meeting. You can also join an audio chat with anyone who is in the meeting. Twiddla did not present as well as I hoped it would. My main concerns with Twiddla are that it is not user friendly, it was complicated to use. And there is no video chat service and the audio chat did not function properly. I give Twiddla a Thumbs Down.

8) Picnik
Picnik is a free online photo editor that is quick, simple, and extremely fun to use. I really liked that there was no need for me to download the program onto my computer. The website is really pleasant to look at, the graphics are attractive. This photo editor is so simple to use. I was amazed at how fast it was to upload and edit a photo. The user can upload a photo as a guest or create an account to access more features. Photos can be uploaded from any website, your computer and you can also take a photo using your webcam. I really enjoyed playing around with the many special effects this photo editor had to offer. I was really impressed with the instant preview of a photo that I edited. I also enjoyed playing around with the many amazing fonts, frames and shapes. I liked how I was able to undo all of the changes I have made to my photos. Overall, I had so much fun using this photo editor. Picnik truly does make photo editing a simple and fun process. I offer Picnik Two Thumbs Up.