My Top 10 Learning Tools - 2019

It is that time of the year when Jane Hart (http://c4lpt.co.uk/) polls learning professionals around the world to weigh in on their top 10 learning tools. Here are my Top 10 Learning Tools for 2019 (in no particular order):

1. Google Search - If I have a question, Google always has an answer.
   
   
2. Twitter but more specifically Tweetdeck - This is the first social media app that I launch on my computer. I use it for both personal and professional learning and especially like the 'lists' feature to view and participate in a variety of 'streams of conversations'.
   
   
3. LinkedIn Articles - I have enjoyed cross posting my blog posts to LinkedIn and found a different type of audience. I have also noticed that people find it easier to comment on Linkedin posts rather than on blog posts and that creates an opportunity for conversations that are more meaningful.
   
   
4. Microsoft Word - I do all my professional work using Microsoft Word and can almost forget about this tool since it has become seamless with my work.
   
   
5. Dropbox - I rely on this tool for working in the cloud, collaborating with clients and teams, for synchronizing my work across various computers/laptops. I have recently started to use this tool to share documents and pictures with my family. Everyone seems to be on board!
   
   
6. Podcasts - I love all kinds of podcasts but have added several learning/training/human performance-related podcasts to my list in the past year. I like the flexibility of listening to podcasts while walking or taking the transit and it often sparks an idea or two for my own blog posts.
   
   
7. Meetup - I have been using this app increasingly over the last year and enjoy developing personal and professional relationships with people in my local community - within and outside my area of work.
   
   
8. Instagram - I use this tool for personal learning around my hobbies and interests including photography, makeup and cooking! I enjoy watching 'stories' and find it easier to respond to stories and make connections with people.
   
   
9. WhatsApp - This is my go-to tool to stay connected with my family but recently, I have joined both professional and personal neworking Whatsapp groups and have found it to be valuable to plan one-on-one meetings with interesting people that I discovered through the group chats.
   
   
10. Slack - In the past year, I found myself using Slack for personal learning. However, I found it challenging to keep up with too many Slack groups that are created post a meetup or a workshop or a course for a follow-up discussion but then no one ever posts anything! On the other extreme, in other Slack groups, members continue to post 'Fwds' and their professional bios for job prospecting. I can see the value of the tool so I am still trying to find my way through the world of Slack for personal learning.

Other notable mentions: 

Blogger - My blog resides in Blogger so it is a critical tool for me that offers me a platform to reflect and share. However, I tend to write long (aka reflective, thoughtful) posts and only post once a month so my frequency of using this tool is low.

YouTube - This is my 'how to' tool. I use it for microlearning when troubleshooting tasks both professional and personal and to learn more about product reviews mostly involving technology products such as laptops and iPhones! 

What are your Top 10 Tools for Learning? Please share them in the survey here. The Top Tools for Learning 2019 survey will close on Friday 13 September. Results will be released 8 am GMT, Wednesday 25 September 2019.