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Widget wonders
This section highlights some handy, free web social media widgets and tools.
These help you do all sorts of things, from managing everyday research admin tasks, to aggregating material from several sources into one neat web page.
Scheduling and listing events
- Beyond TextThis research project uses Google calendar to publicise its events.
- DoodleDoodle is a simple tool for scheduling meetings and other events. It's especially useful if you're working with people from different institutions.
- Meet-O-Matic"The world's simplest meeting scheduler".
Note-taking
- EvernoteEvernote lets you take notes, sync files, and share ideas. This article highlights its potential use for academic research.
Tracking visitors
- Roman Binchester
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Note how this archaeology project is using 'Feedjit' to highlight the wide readership of its blog.
Mashups
- Addressing historyOnline tool enabling users to combine data from digitised historical Scottish Post Office Directories with contemporaneous historical maps.
Keeping up to date with newsfeeds and alerts
- FeedlyKeep all your favourite newsfeeds in one place.
- JournalTOCSGet RSS feed alerts for the latest academic research papers.
- RSS in plain EnglishSimple video explaining how RSS can help you manage information.
Example of a search alert RSS feed
Most of our databases allow you to set up search alerts, so that you'll automatically be alerted when new articles are published which match your search, or when a new issue of a key journal is published.
You can usually set up such alerts by email or RSS feed, such as this example from Historical Abstracts.
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Aggregating and curating content
- BundlrCreate bundles with photos, videos, tweets and documents. Share them with everyone.
- GabstatsFree tool for analysing Instagram analytics.
- PinterestPinterest is an online pinboard for you to organise and share content. This example is from the UK Academy of Medical Sciences.
- PocketSeen something which you want to read later, even with no internet connection? Pocket may help.
- Researcher's guide to information overload and curation toolsHelpful guide from LSE impact project.
Visualisation tools
There are many free tools available which enable you to create professional-looking 'visuals' to help convey your research, such as infographics, flowcharts, timelines and context-sensitive explanation.
- Easel.lyVisualisation tool which enables you to create flowcharts (see above) and more, using templates.
- Explanation with thinglinkNewcastle University Library has used thinglink to explain how to fill in an inter library loan form.
- Twitter visualisations
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Visualisation of tweets designed for display in public places. - World Oral Literature ProjectThis Cambridge University project is using Google Maps to show where its collections are located.
Explore! Find a useful social media tool
- Digital Research Tools (DiRT)A site listing digital tools, organised by the task you want to accomplish, and oriented towards higher education. Find a tool to help you with something you're working on right now!
- Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New MediaCollection of useful research tools for digital humanities.
- Scholarly communications tools databaseComprehensive, updated database from LSE, arranged by stage of research process.
- Using collaborative online toolsJISC infoNet case studies about using web 2.0 tools for public engagement.
Try it! Make your own widget
- WidgetboxWidgetbox enables you to create your own widgets.
Learn more: Managing online meetings with Elluminate
- ElluminateTop tips from the University of Huddersfield about online meetings using Elluminate.
Apps Swap recommendations
A selection of the apps recommended at a recent Apps Swap in the Library. More information can be found here.
- DisplayNote
Duplicate what's on your computer screen to as many iPads and iPhones as you want to simultaneously. - Hola
Access any website, app, video or social network from anywhere, while keeping your mobile activities safe & private - IFTTT
Create simple connections between different apps. - Microsoft OneNote - NUIT support availableCapture your thoughts, discoveries, and ideas with OneNote.
- PadletA virtual wall that allows people to colloborate.
- Poll Everywhere
Audience response system that uses mobile phones, twitter, and the web. - Remember The Milk
Online to-do list and task management. - Socrative
Socrative lets teachers engage and assess their students with educational activities on tablets, laptops and smartphones. - TitanpadTitanPad lets people work on one document simultaneously
- Trello
Project management tool. - Tunnelbear
Protect your online privacy and unblock your favorite websites or applications. - Write or dieAn application which aims to eliminate writer's block by providing consequences for procrastination or rewards for accomplishment.
- Written? Kitten!Gives you a pic of a kitten everytime you've finished writing 100, 200, 500, or 1000 words.
