Adobe Photoshop is professional-level image editing software. Used to edit or resize all images and graphics on this site.

Cost: Included in Adobe Creative Cloud. Free trial (Education pricing $24.99 a month for Creative Cloud). Access is provided through some post-secondary institutions.

About: Image editing software with simplified use for graphic and video editing. Many tutorials are available through Adobe. The graphic user interface is highly customizable and similar to other Adobe products. 

Integration: Files can be exported to fit the requirements of any platform.

Opinion: Professional quality software, but it can be challenging to learn. It can solve the technical limitations of free software such as H5P or Google Sites.

Adobe Premiere Pro is professional-level video software. It was used to edit all video content on this site. 

Cost: Included in Adobe Creative Cloud. Free trial (Education pricing $24.99 a month for Creative Cloud). Access is provided through some post-secondary institutions.

About: Multi-track video, editing, and motion graphic editing software. In addition to standard editing, it provides the ability to adjust timing and add close captioning. Many tutorials are available through Adobe. The highly customizable graphic user interface is similar to other Adobe products. 

Integration: Files can be exported to fit the requirements of any platform.

Opinion: Professional quality software, but it can be challenging to learn. It can be used to solve the technical limitations of free interactive media software such as H5P. In particular, providing time in videos to add interaction needs to be done at the editing stage. Adobe Premiere Pro allows the user flexibility to control the speed and pacing of audio and video.

Adobe XD is vector-based design software for creating and publishing web and mobile applications. It was used to create the Zone System Calculator in Module Two and Three

Cost: Included in Adobe Creative Cloud. Free trial (Education pricing $24.99 a month for Creative Cloud). Access is provided through some post-secondary institutions.

About: Layout tool for designing simple app prototypes. It can be used for simple interactivity within websites or QR Code accessible mobile applications. Many tutorials are available through Adobe. A highly customizable 'drag and drop' user interface with various preloaded formats.

Integration: Files can be exported as url links or iframes to be embedded into websites or LMSs.

Opinion: Professional quality software, but it can be challenging to learn. It can be used to solve the technical limitations of free interactive media software.

Flickr is an online photo management platform for organizing and sharing images. This tool was needed to embed images in the timeline for Module Two.

Cost: Free.

About: Flickr allows users to organize, share, and link their images to other web-based platforms. to other web-based platforms. 

Integration: Files can be moved easily between web-based platforms.

Opinion: The platform is functional, but it was only necessary as a workaround for limitations in H5P which wouldn't permit the direct importing of images. Flickr's functionality is generally redundant when WBLT platforms allow direct upload. The last time I used Flickr was in 2011 as a workaround for uploading images to WordPress.

Google Jamboard is a digital whiteboard for digital collaboration. In Modules Two and Three, a Jamboard provides space for collaborative activities.

Cost: Free with a Google account. 

About: Jamboard allows users to collaborate on a virtual whiteboard. Text, graphics, and images can be shared in real-time. 

Integration: Files can be moved easily between other Google Workspace platforms.

Opinion: An effective tool for collaboration, especially when working within Google Workspace or when open access is required. It is not used at Algonquin College as it does not integrate well into the Brightspace LMS. The LMS's discussion feature is often used instead.

Google Draw is a low-tech graphic tool. This tool created mind mapping and charts during the planning stage. It was also used to maintain the formatting of the references.

Cost: Free with a Google account. 

About: Google Draw allows users to create and collaborate on graphic elements without advanced visual editing skills.

Integration: Files seamlessly link between Google Draw and Google Sites. Files updated in Google Draw update in Google Sites without re-uploading. 

Opinion: A user-friendly tool for beginners. A frustrating tool for more experienced users as alignment features are clunky and lack precision. It works well for quick, simple tasks.

H5P is web-based software for creating interactive HTML5 media content for education without coding. Initially, each module was built as an interactive book, permitting clear structuring of interactive videos, activities, and presentation materials that could easily be reused in the Brightspace LMS. However, it did not embed well in Google Sites. The following H5P content types were used:

• Drop-down menus (Modules One and Two)

• Image hotspots (Modules One and Three)

• Drag the word (Module One)

• Interactive presentation (All Modules)

• Timeline (Module Two)

• Interactive video (Module Two and Three)

Cost: Free (Paid version required for full integration and hosting). Free through eCampus Ontario.

About: H5P provides the tools to create interactive videos, virtual 360° tours, course structure, branching scenarios, interactive book creation, and many interactive assessments. A complete list can be found here.

User Interface: A series of windows walks the creator through setting up each activity. There are many settings which can be overwhelming. Some settings require a more advanced understanding of media management and resolution.

Integration: Free version will integrate with any platform that supports embedded content through iframes. The paid version is required to incorporate assessments in Canvas, Brightspace, Blackboard, and WordPress. 

Opinion: H5P is an excellent tool for creating interactive content or assessments for supported LMSs. Creating content is more challenging than other tools as there is less 'drag and drop' and design flexibility. Not all functions are customizable; some are prone to glitches if not explicitly used as intended.  A positive aspect of H5P is that it creates a fixed address for embedding content eliminating the need to update links if the content changes.

Social media platform for sharing visual content, including photos, graphics, and video. It is used to share the critique images in Module Three.

Cost: Free. 

About: Instagram allows users to post and share visual content. Media professionals use it as a portfolio and a networking method to connect with colleagues and potential clients. 

Integration: Unique hashtags can be provided to students to organize, share and submit work for critiques or assignments. The platform encourages students to show their work and learn about the professional use of social media.

Opinion: Student engagement is unpredictable. Not all students are comfortable using social media openly. Alternate options are to submit via the LMS or to create a student account separate from their personal one. These options generally improve student perception and engagement with the platform.

YouCanBookMe is web-based software for scheduling appointments. A link is provided to students at the beginning of each module and on the Home page.

Cost: Free version has limited but practical tools for individual faculty members. The full version is $10 monthly and may be needed for teams.

Integration: Any platform that supports embedded content through iframes, including most LMSs. Syncs well with Google and Microsoft calendars and sporadically integrates with iCal.

Opinion: A powerful tool for encouraging students to meet during office hours as it minimizes the need for email negotiations required to establish a meeting time.