Laptops,ipod,mobile phone,iphone, are gadgets that are taking the place of textbooks and libraries.The internet connectivity has brought in a revolution in the minds of even babies.Education has taken a significant overhauling with technological advances being widely used in effective teaching and mentoring.Teachers have had to undergo a seachange in updating their online skills so as to reach their students.

Online social networking sites such as Orkut,Facebook keep students engaged for hours.Or it is games online.So,it is only imperative that we use online tools and gadgets to teach and get them interested in aiming for higher grades.

Distance education is easier these days as laptops and internet connectivity have given the Universities faster means of reaching more students in real time.

Visual learning is extremely effective in learning.And so, we have Powerpoint presentations made by teachers and also students being asked to create one to be graded later.Animated videos are made and shared to explain a concept in math or physics.Languages are learnt using VOIP such as Skype,Google Talk.Google Docs,wikis,blogs are tools being increasingly used on collaborative classroom/online projects.Podcasts of classroom notes are downloaded to listen as students commute.Universities are making these podcasts available to their students.

Online learning is where the tutor and student/students in different parts of the globe come together for a virtual class at an appointed time.In real time,they share an interactive whiteboard,where pictures,animated videos,powerpoint presentations can be shared for effective and engaging teaching.Audio and video is possible along with a chatboard in the sidebar.Wiziq is one such platform which I have been using effectively.Teaching languages or any subject under the sun,is a breeze with this free platform.

Web 2.0 tools promote a social,collaborative and sharing approach to learning. Integration of various internet tools effectively is necessary for effective education.Teaching professionals and learners use their favourite tools to create,present,store information in different formats.Tests/quizzes are taken and graded online and shared online too.Online assignments are generated quickly according to the specifications given by the teacher.

Most popular tools used are given below.These are all FREE to use and compiled as the 25 Tools an educator or a learning professional must have in their toolbox.In March 2008,popular tools being used were contributed by learning professionals worldwide from which these 25 were compiled by Jane Hart,a learning consultant.

1. Firefox
2. Delicious
3. Google Reader
4. Gmail
5. Skype
6. Google Calender
7. Google Docs
8. iGoogle
9. Slideshare
10. Flickr
11. Voicethread
12. Wordpress
13. Audacity
14. Youtube
15. Jing
16. Polldaddy
17. Nvu
18. Yugma
19. PBWiki
20. Ustream
21. Ning
22. Freemind
23. eXe
24. Moodle
25. Twitter

Being an entrepreneur tutor for more than 12 years now,I have had the pleasure of discovering new tools on the net and engage my students effectively.I have had to create new ways of engaging students and have been a learner myself discovering and updating,creating along the way.Every learner is unique,adult or child.Finding free internet resources on a variety of subjects and languages,I soon realized that I had to start my own blog, Great Expectations in which I constantly add free educational resources found on the internet for my students,and for any parent or educator who can utilize the resources for effective learning/teaching.The Edubloggers Directory is useful in finding many edubloggers who write about their experiences with teaching.

There are online tutorials for any subject you can think of.Videosites such as teachertube,videojug,howstuffworks,wonderhowto,youtube,5min, are examples.Hairstyle,makeup,yoga,exercise,presentation skills,flower arrangements,cookery,baking,....you name it,they have it!If you want to learn computers online-photoshop,Microsoft office,websites such as microsoft,actden have a collection of videos.Selfstudy is really easy these days.

You can have mindmapping software,online dictionaries,references,thesaurus,powerpoint libraries online,sketch,draw and paint,learn art,find tutors to teach you guitar or piano lessons from around the world.Podcasts can be downloaded to be listened to as you commute.Crossword puzzles and math questions can be generated using software that is downloaded or using a website.Some resources and websites are free to use and some are paid.Learning about the environment is easy with videos from websites such as National Geographic and Discovery.Homework help and tutoring websites are plenty to choose from.

And now,we have Second Life!Yes,3 D virtual world where you can have a life!And study too!Yes,second life is already being increasingly used by American Universities in education where classes are held on second life campuses and you can attend.

Whatever you wish to study as an adult or school student,or if you are a teacher looking for more fun ways to teach,or perhaps you are a parent looking at effective ways to keep your children safe while online,you will find vast resources on the internet.Education as you know is a lifelong process,and when resources are available 24x7 a mouseclick away,well,.....that's technology for you and me!