The web abounds with resources for learning, productivity, and sharing. Here are some of our favorite free online tools—this is by no means an exhaustive list, but everyone from the beginner to the seasoned pro will find something to help them learn, work, or play.
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[accordion-item title=”Coding and Programming”]
Codecademy – Offers tutorials in a wide variety of programming languages, including Java, Ruby, JQuery, Git, HTML, and APIs.
W3 Schools – Learn HTML, XML, CSS, JavaScript, and other web skills in these self-paced courses.
Hour of Code tutorials – These tutorials are designed to support the Hour of Code initiative in K-12 schools, but adults can use them, too.
Google CS Education – Google has collected its computer education resources, including coding tutorials, all in one site.
RegExr – For something a little more advanced, try RexExr. This web-based tool teaches you how to construct regular expressions for coding.
TextWrangler – If you write code regularly, you probably use a text editor. TextWrangler is an editor just for Mac users.
ExamDiff – Here’s another one for the coders out there: a tool that lets you compare different versions of files side by side.
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[accordion-item title=”Online Learning”]
Coursera – Take courses from the world’s leading institutions. Many courses are free and offer self-paced options.
EdX – Offers courses from major universities, with the option to earn high school and college credit.
Khan Academy – Self-paced exercises for all ages.
Duolingo – Learn languages in a fun, game-based interface.
MIT Open Courseware – Online course materials from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
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[accordion-item title=”Photo Editing”]
Pixlr – Want the functionality of PhotoShop but without the pricetag? Try this free, browser-based tool.
PicMonkey – Get creative with your photos – add stickers and text, or create a collage.
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[accordion-item title=”Images”]
Pixabay – All images are free of copyright under Creative Commons license CC0.
Creative Commons – A portal to search for images, video, music, and other media.
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[accordion-item title=”White Noise Generators”]
Simply Noise – Choose from white, pink, or brown noise – great for focusing in noisy areas.
Rainy Mood – White noise created by the soothing sound of rain.
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[accordion-item title=”Collaboration & Project Management”]
Google Docs – Part of the suite of apps known for real-time collaboration and sharing.
Diigo – Collect and share your favorite websites and online resources.
Dropbox – This cloud-based file storage system lets your documents travel with you.
Trello – A card-based task manager for individuals or groups.
Asana – Project management for teams.
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[accordion-item title=”Productivity”]
Doodle Poll – Trying to schedule a meeting for a large group? Quickly find everyone’s availability using Doodle Poll.
Hello Sign – Ditch your fax machine. Fill out & sign PDFs online.
IFTTT – Make your apps work for you. Automate common tasks using If This Then That.
Feedly – Keep up on all your favorite blogs using this popular RSS reader.
Mint – A financial management and tracking tool.
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[accordion-item title=”Book Recommendations”]
Goodreads – Combines social networking with book recommendations. See what other people with your interests are reading.
What Should I Read Next? – Enter a book or author you like to see what other readers recommend.
WhichBook – This unique site gives recommendations based on your preferences for emotional facets.
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[accordion-item title=”Maps and Graphs”]
My Maps – Create your own custom Google Map that you can share or embed in a website. Very user friendly and accessible for students.
QGIS – For a GIS tool with a bit more heft (and a steeper learning curve), try QGIS.
Gephi – Analyze your data or your network using this visualization tool. Skill level: intermediate.
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Metadata & Integration Services Senior Consultant at Colorado State Library
Contact Amy at hitchner_a@cde.state.co.us
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