When visiting another school library I was introduced to Libguides a platform that allows Librarians to make custom guides for their users. Many schools and universities (like QUT) around the world use Libguides and it can be a powerful curation tool. We were set to purchase a subscription to Libguides (AU$800/yr) when I was liberated by Weebly.
Weebly is a highly customisable website and blog building platform, it has empowered me more than any other program I have encountered. For 1/20th the cost of Libguides I was able to purchase a Weebly for Education account and build a website to my liking. You can see my work in progress here - Library website using Weebly for Education.
As a busy parent juggling study and work I am often 'googling' tips and tricks, bits and pieces in any spare time I can find. This means that sometimes I'm on my phone, laptop, iPad or a random desktop at the library. My saving grace is Evernote, as I can log into my (free) account from where ever I am and can archive webpages, write notes, store images or whole documents and have them available for me on the next device I sign in on. Evernote is my digital brain and it's free (unless you upgrade - but that's not really necessary if you've got wi-fi access) and based in the 'cloud'. Getting into the good habit of keeping a handy 'go to' digital notepad that can sync across devices has saved me from admitting many 'seniors' moments over the last few years.
Goodreads is a "social cataloging" website. It allows individuals to freely search an extensive user-populated database of books and reviews. Users can sign up and register books to generate library catalogs and reading lists. They can also create their own groups of book suggestions and discussions. Goodreads opens up a world of book recommendations to students based on the types of books they've enjoyed in the past. This can lead them to find new books and subjects matters that a single TL might not have encountered.
Artscow is a company that will print anything you want on anything you want! I have used them in the past for family photobooks, but also for many different things for work. I've created playing cards for the library with the school logo on them, canvas posters with famous quotes, and book themed cushion covers for our library reading chairs. They often do freebies and special discounts promos, so it can be very cheap if you time it right.
Google Drive
If you're not using Google Drive it's probably time to start. When I say Google Drive, I refer to the whole suite of Google Apps really. I'm not going to harp on about it, but as far as collaboration goes, it's the bomb! For teachers writing curriculum, students working in groups or whole classes writing a story together... check it out.
ABC Splash is a really handy site for all educators. I have embedded the blog feed here so you can see the vast array of articles they produce... there's something for everyone!
