Create: Define and Explain Learning Object Authoring Tools Create 4.1.1

Create:  Define and Explain Learning Object Authoring Tools Create 4.1.1

Free Tools:

• www.prezi.com- This is by far my favorite presentation software because it is versatile and can be used collaboratively.  It is very easy to use and I love the fact that I can post images and multimedia as well as text.  It can be set to auto present or it can be manually presented.  It can be downloaded as a multi page PDF or as a Prezi presentation.
• docs.google.com- This is my "go to" source to create all kinds of learning ojects from venn diagrams and forms to rubrics and story boards.  I can imbed the information that I want my students to learn and assign a document to each group.  I can check their participation and progress via the "view" settings as all changes and edits are tracked.
• https://bubbl.us/- This is an easy to use mind map creator.  I use this tool to quickly organize content for writing prompts.  I have also presented students with very basic mind maps and turned them loose to develop the mind map to it's fullest potential.

Paid Tools: 

• www.glogster.com- This is a "digital poster making website" in the simplest description, but it can be used for so much more. I bought a "lifetime" subscription to glogster because it was so useful.  I make introductory glogs for every unit upon which I can insert text, video, assignments, and support material.  It is like a LiveBinder, only pretty!  My students enjoy creating their own glogs.  The tools is helpful because 
• www.quia.com- This is a multifaceted learning object creation site.  Tests, quizzes, games and writing assignments can all be created on this website for the use of students in years to come.  All of the learning objects are editable so that they can be updated as curriculum changes or new discoveries in science are made. I pay $50.00 a year for my quia subscription and it has been worth every penny.  I have not had to copy tests or buy 3x5 cards for flash cards or make a ton of "Jeopardy" or "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" games because of the applets available on quia.