Audacity

Audacity is a free, multi-track audio editor and recorder available on Windows, Mac, or Linux. I used Audacity often to record audio, remove noise, amply voices, and trim unwanted audio from tracks. You are able to save your audio in many different formats like MP3 and WAV.

Corel VideoStudio Pro

Corel VideoStudio Pro is an easy-to-use video editing software that includes an audio editor, slide animations, filters, and custom motion tracking. I used Corel VideoStudio to assemble all of the videos I created while in the MAET program. Corel offers a free 30 day trial, but the Pro version costs $79.99. While this may seem expensive for software, I felt it was worth it based on the numerous times I used the software.

Ultra MP4 Converter

While Ultra MP4 Converter does convert video files in MP4 format to other video and audio formats, it is also able to convert standalone audio and video files of many different formats. While this may not be a piece of software you use daily, it has been helpful for me when converting small video clips for creating larger videos, amplifying audio, and reducing video and audio quality to create smaller files sizes. Ultra offers a 30 day free trial, but the full version costs $29.99.
You could also use this software to convert audio and video for different devices; like converting video to MP4 format for your iPad or converting MP3 files to M4A format for your iPhone.

Snagit

Snagit is a screen capture software created by TechSmith, an Okemos, Michigan based company. Snagit is able to take pictures or video of your computer screen and includes a video editor with many features to help edit your recording or image. I have used Snagit screen captures in papers, websites, YouTube videos, and much more. While Snagit does have a 30 day free trial, the full program costs $49.95. Snagit’s user-friendly interface makes it a perfect tool for anyone who regularly creates tutorials or visual aids.

Scratch

Scratch is a free software specifically designed to teach students how to program animation without typing code. Using Scratch students can create interactive stories, games, and animated presentations. I created a lesson plan that teachers can follow to create a stand-alone animation computer with a Raspberry Pi 2 that boots directly into Scratch. I also created a lesson plan in which students are able to create animated presentations using Scratch, which fulfills several Common Core Standards.

Evernote

Evernote is a great free website for helping organize your work. Using Evernote you are able to write searchable notes and checklists in a variety of formats (sketches, audio, videos, PDFs, etc.), attach Microsoft Office documents, and attached images to help organize your work in one place. You are also able to sync and share your notes across a variety of platforms and devices. I used Evernote at the beginning of most MAET projects to collect my thoughts and research on the subject matter I was studying or to plan my latest educational technology creation.

PiktoChart

PiktoChart is a powerful online tool for creating long-form infographics, presentations, and printable handouts. PiktoChart's templates are colorful and easy-to-use. You are able to share your PiktoCharts anywhere online or download them for offline use. I used PiktoChart to create infographics for my Wicked Problem Project and to summarize Mark Hatch's "Maker Movement Manifesto". Piktocharts are a great way to present information in an entertaining, but informative manner.

Google's G Suite

Google's G Suite is comprised of multiple free online tools including: Google Drive, Google Docs, Gmail, and Google Calendar. All of the G Suite tools work together to create one powerful Google Cloud platform where each tool is able to access information from the other. Throughout the MAET program I used Google Docs to share research papers, Google Sheets to mark my completion of projects for instructors, and Google Drive to store all of my images, videos, and documents pertaining to the MAET program.

ERIC

The Education Resource Information Center, or ERIC, is an online digital library of educational research. ERIC has bibliographies and full-text versions of journal articles and other educated-related materials. I have used ERIC numerous times as a tool to find supporting research or to find additional articles by the same author to further my reasoning and understanding of educational technology topics.

ProQuest

ProQuest is my favorite resource for searching academic journals, databases, and ebooks. Usually your institution's library has a specific link to ProQuest which will include the collection of articles that are available from the library as well as those available online with full-text and summaries. I have used ProQuest numerous times as a tool to discover research topics and supporting articles.

Google Scholar

Google Scholar is a free search engine which operates much like the traditional Google search engine. Google Scholar has full-text or summaries of academic journals, peer-reviewed papers, dissertations, court papers, and abstracts. I have found that Google Scholar usually produces different results than ProQuest and ERIC, which helps to expand your search to include more resources.

JSTOR

JSTOR is a digital library containing digital back issues of academic journals, books, and other primary sources. Most content from JSTOR does require a subscription, which is usually offered by your local library. While many search engines return journal abstracts, I have found JSTOR to be a great resource for full-text academic articles.