This is the place to sample training software, calculators, cool web services, and other helpful workplace tools. All demos, trials, and tools are FREE!, but some of the tools require registration. Each month we will take a look at a new suite of tools.

April 2008: “Sim” Software

Adobe Captivate Free Trial

Adobe Captivate 3 software enables anyone to rapidly create scenario-based training  without programming knowledge or multimedia skills. Developers can capture and record screen activity and synchronize audio and video. The point-and-click user interface and such time-saving features such as automated text captions and automated rerecording of web applications in Microsoft Internet Explorer will get users up and running quickly.

Viewlet Builder Demo

Qarbon’s ViewletBuilder's patented screen-capture process automatically reproduces the movement of your cursor, allowing you to create Flash tutorials or simulations that exactly mirror the way your product or web site works. Developers can easily add callouts, notes, interactivity, audio narration, and Flash files that have various actions associated to events. Then publish finished tutorials as small, secure Flash files that can be delivered over the Internet or packaged as executable files to be sent vial email or burned on CDs.

SnagIt Free Trial

Using Camtasia’s SnagIt, developers can select and capture anything on their screens, then easily add text, arrows, or effects, and save the screen capture to a file or share it immediately by email or IM. The SnagIt image editor makes it easy to add creative and professional touches with a full-featured paint tools palette, a variety of edge effects, and practical options for color and size adjustment.

March 2008: Open Source Learning Management

Moodle

Moodle is a free, open source course management system (CMS) used by educators to create effective online learning communities. You can download and use it on any computer you have handy (including webhosts), yet it can scale from a single-teacher site to a University with 200,000 students. Moodle has a large and diverse user community with more than 330,000 registered users, speaking over 70 languages in 196 countries. Moodle is available in a variety of download packages with different levels of stability, as well as via CVS. A number of additional modules/plugins and language packs are also available.

Sakai

Sakai is a free and open source product that can be used to create online collaboration and learning environments. Many users of Sakai deploy it to support teaching and learning, ad hoc group collaboration, support for portfolios and research collaboration. Sakai is built and maintained by the Sakai community, which is actively developing new Sakai tools: IMS Common Cartridge, SCORM, blog tool, shared whiteboard, shared display, multipoint audio, multipoint audio, pod-casting, IMS Tool Interoperability, and others.

ATutor

ATutor is an open source web-based learning content management system (LCMS) designed with accessibility and adaptability in mind. Administrators can install or update ATutor in minutes, develop custom themes to give ATutor a new look, and easily extend its functionality with feature modules. Educators can quickly assemble, package, and redistribute Web-based instructional content, easily import prepackaged content, and conduct their courses online. Students learn in an adaptive learning environment. 

February 2008: Authoring Tools

CourseLab—Free, Free, Free!

CourseLab is a powerful, yet easy-to-use, e-learning authoring tool that offers programming-free WYSIWYG environment for creating high-quality interactive e-learning content that can be published on the Internet, learning management system (LMS), CD-ROMs, and other devices. And it is FREE!

ToolBook Test Drive

ToolBook provides an integrated solution with everything you need to quickly create interactive content, quizzes, assessments and simulations. With ToolBook, you can create web content that runs well stand-alone or with your learning management system. Create highly interactive and engaging e-learning content that gets results. Take a free test drive.

Lectora 14-Day Trial

The Lectora Publisher authoring tool provides you with the ability to create and publish content quickly, easily, and independently. Key features include drag-and-drop capability, extended file support, advanced testing elements and wizards, customized templates, and metadata support. It is ideal for those who desire quick, easy content creation as well as complex content creation for adaptive e-learning.

January 2008: Survey Software

Zoomerang

Create custom web-based surveys using more than 100 pre-built survey templates, or develop your own survey from various question types. When the survey is ready, email your participant list, wait for the results, and analyze them with Zoomerang’s online tools. The free version is limited to 100 responses per survey, with a maximum 30 questions per survey. You can view survey responses for 10 days.

SurveyMonkey

Using just your web browser, create your survey with our intuitive survey editor. Select from over a dozen question types (multiple choice, rating scales, drop-down menus). The free basic version includes options that allow you to require answers to any question, control the flow with custom skip logic, and even randomize answer choices to eliminate bias. The free version is limited to 100 responses per survey, with a maximum 10 questions per survey. Users have unlimited access to survey results.

InstantSurvey