Written By: Caroline Ross

iPhone users have access to the best personalized library right at their fingertips with the invention of Kindle for iPhone and other book readers. Forget the plastic library card and the hassle of remembering to return the books to the public library. Download the newest bestseller instead of wasting your gas driving all over town to find it in the bookstores.

There’s something to be said about the weight of a book in your hand and the feel of the pages, but iPhone apps now give you an option. In this list of 75 iPhone applications, you’ll find reference books, fiction, nonfiction, audio books and book readers to outfit your new digital library.

References, Dictionaries and Resources

1. Google Mobile App – Googling is the way of the Internet. It’s only natural you should have it on your iPhone to look up information in a snap.

2. FreeSaurus – Need a better word for free? You can find one with this free thesaurus app and never run out of synonyms.

3. Free Translator – If you ever find yourself in a foreign country where you don’t speak the language, this app can help you out. Type is a word or phrase and let this app translate it into a different language.

4. Wikipedia Mobile – Wikipedia is like the Internet’s changeable encyclopedia. Most of the time, you’ll find credible information on a subject from Wikipedia and learn a lot in a short amount of time about the subject. This app is free and great if you really need to look up a relatively extensive subject on the go.

5. Dictionary.com – A free dictionary app. It doesn’t get much more strait forward than this.

6. Constitution for iPhone – You’ll know your rights; especially if you’ve got the U.S. Constitution on your iPhone.

7. Street Lingo: Urban Dictionary Search – Parents can download this Street Lingo app to figure out what their kids are saying. C’mon all the cool parents are doing it.

8. Grammar Guide – Perfect grammar is imperative on resumes, cover letters, applications and other important forms that lend first impressions. Don’t be making no mistakes no more on your forms with the Grammar Guide.

9. The World Factbook – The World Factbook is not only interesting to browse, but it can make you a global trivia master. Go on tell your friends about the capital of Montenegro.

10. Multilingual Dictionary – A multilingual dictionary is just about as important as a multilingual translator. If you plan a trip to a foreign country, download this app before you go.

11. The National Archives – Can’t get to the National Archives in London? Download this free app and browse through some of the most popular and important images from the museum itself without having to jump across the pond.

12. Quotationary – Find a great quote for a card or look up who said, “To be or not to be” on the Quotationary app. You can’t beat the random quote feature to infuse your brain with thoughtful ponderings everyday for $1.99.

Random Tidbits for a Well-Rounded iPhone Libary

13. Drinks and Cocktails – For the entertainers out there, download this free app full of recipes for alcoholic beverages. Now you don’t have to spend time trying to find a recipe or buy an expensive book for good recipes.

14. Phobias – Learn a little bit about psychology with the Phobias app. The 99 cent application has an index of phobias listed with their technical names like alektorophobia, or the fear of chickens.

15. Stupid Laws – It would surprise you how many states have really dumb laws. Share this app’s stupid laws with your buddies and have a good laugh at what the law comes up with sometimes.

16. Harvest: Select the Best Produce – Pick your fruit when it’s at its peak during the year with the Harvest app. It lets you know when specific fruits and vegetables are in season so you’ll have a fridge full of nothing less than perfectly ripe produce.

17. Gratitude Journal – Add your own book to your personal library by using the Gratitude Journal. Oprah touts that this app changed her life according to the app description. Record what you are thankful for each day in the journal and you won’t dwell on the day’s blah moments.

18. Chirp! Bird Songs USA – Listen to the songs of American birds and then see if you can identify them in the wild. You’ll be pleasantly surprised when you can identify a bird’s song by ear when you are out enjoying nature.

19. Tree ID – Tree ID is another nature application that provides users with information on trees of North America. While this app was made with research in mind, it’s also a life-saver for those with allergies, horticulturists and nature lovers.

20. Peterson Field Guide to Backyard Birds – This guide introduces you to common North American birds that you can spot in your own backyard. For $2.99, you get Peterson bird images with identification information, bird songs, habitat maps and a detailed description of each backyard bird.

21. All the Countries – Your high school teachers would be impressed after you play around on this app. Learn everything from a country’s flag, currency, largest cities, religion, population, languages, economy, literacy, government and ethnicity.

22. US States – This free app is simple to use and gives users state-specific information on all 50 states in the union.

23. Congress – Congress is an application that introduces you to all members of Congress. Macworld called the app “indispensable.” Look up biographies, election results, voting records district maps and contact information for all the members of Congress at your fingertips.

24. Presidents of the United States – Can you name all the past presidents of the United States? If you can’t, download this app and learn about all 44. Each president’s information includes years in office, political party, vice presidents, year born, year of death if applicable, occupation, religion, spouse, kids, education, nicknames, cabinet and cabinet-level as well as the official Whitehouse biography.

Book Volumes, Collections and Classics

25. Touch Bible Loaded – The Touch Bible Loaded app is an easy to use, searchable King James Version Bible with over 60,000 study notes to enhance Bible study time. The $4.99 app is a bit pricey, but is worth the plunge if your enjoy having a portable daily Bible study available at all times. 

26. Free Books: 23,469 Classics – Read all the classic books your brain can handle with this app: 23,469 free books to be exact.

27. Comics – For 99 cents, you can download a giant comic book library with over 250 different comics from genres across the board. You must be 17 or older to download this app due to mature content.

28. Wattpad: 100,000+ Books – Wattpad is a one stop application for classic and unique literature. You’ll find popular novels, fiction, non-fiction, poetry, young adult fiction and classics all contributed from members of the Wattpad community.

29. Kamasutra of Vatsayayana – This app is for the frisky-minded. The classic Kamasutra will keep you in the know thanks to ancient wisdom on relationships and sex. You must be 17 years or older to download this app due to sexual content.

30. Self Help Classics – Find some of the most popular books in self help, motivational speeches and essays on success by downloading this app for 99 cents. This app has a solid three and a half star rating by other users.

31. Sherlock Holmes Classics – Sherlock Holmes Classics features eight of the super sleuths classic adventures in digital form. This app is great for parents that want their kids to read classic literature without a big fuss.

32. The Canterbury Tales – This app is great for high school or college students that have The Canterbury Tales as mandatory class reading. You can read from your iPhone anytime, anywhere so you won’t have any excuses for not finishing the reading!

33. The Odyssey by Homer – The Odyssey by Homer is a Greek classic that many college students will eventually find on a syllabus. Avoid the full book price and download this app book.

34. Audiobook: Huckleberry Finn – Listen to this classic novel on your iPhone while you are on the go or parents can hand it over to their children to entertain them on the spot.

35. B.C. Comics Vol. 1 – Download the first volume of B.C. Comics by Johnny Hart on prehistoric times. You’ll be reading funnies on your iPhone dating as far back as 1958.

36. Holy Bible: KJV – A classic, easy to read King James Version of the Bible available for iPhone and iTouch users.

37. The Jane Austen Collection – Ladies will love this app of Jane Austen works.

38. Mystery Classics – If you like mystery novels, this app is for you. Mystery Classics features eight classic fictional mysteries: The Circular Staircase by Mary Roberts Rinehart, The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Murders in the Rue Morgue by Edgar Allan Poe, The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie, The Mystery of Edwin Drood by Charles Dickens, The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie, The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan and Trent’s Last Case by E.C. Bentley.

39. The Edgar Allan Poe Collection – For 99 cents, you can download the most popular poems and short stories by American gothic author Edgar Allan Poe.

40. The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain – This classic tale is available as an application for Mark Twain fans for $3.99.

41. Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens – Make Oliver Twist part of your iPhone library for $1.99.

42. The Iliad by Homer – The Iliad is also a Greek epic that many college students will have to read over the course of their education. Buy the app instead of the book for $1.99 to save a couple of bucks and precious backpack space.

43. The Scarlett Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne – For $1.99, you can add this 1850 American classic novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne to your expanding iPhone library.

44. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare – Any lady will love to read this famous play on her iPhone. Download it for $1.99.

45. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen – This Jane Austen classic will take readers through the lives of the Dashwood sisters for $1.99.

Tools for Reading Books and Researching on Your Personal iPhone Library

46. Kindle for iPhone – The newest e-Book reader is available for iPhone for free. Download Kindle for iPhone and you can buy books from iTunes and Amazon to read anytime, anywhere.

47. B&N eReader – The B&N eReader from Barnes and Noble bookstore can be downloaded for free and features loads of bestsellers available for sale straight from the app.

48. B&N Bookstore – Download the B&N Bookstore to go along with your B&N eReader to have bestselling books and many, many other books from different genres ready to load onto your iPhone so you’ll never be without a good read.

49. Book Shelf LT – Get access to thousands of e-books and download up to 10 at a time for reading on your iPhone.
50. Book Search – Find any book online by searching its title, author, ISNB number or by keyword with the Book Search app for free.

51. Audiobook Player: 2,300 Free Books – Gain access to 2,300 audio books and podcasts by downloading Audiobook Player for only 99 cents.

52. Bookmark – Save your place while you’re listening to audio books on your iPhone with this handy bookmarking app. Take notes, skip ahead or rewind your audio book too for only $1.99.

53. PDF Reader Pro – This app allows iPhone and iTouch users to access any PDF file and read it with ease for 99 cents.

54. Pro RSS Reader – Keep up with your favorite online news, blogs and RSS feeds with this reader made for offline use on your iPhone.

Fiction and Nonfiction Books and Bestsellers –These books are sure to keep you from being bored on road trips, at bus stations and board meetings.
55. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

56. New Moon: The Twilight Saga Book 2 by Stephanie Meyer

57. Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

58. Eclipse: The Twilight Saga Book 3 by Stephanie Meyer

59. The Shack by William P. Young

60. Angels and Demons by Dan Brow

61. Rich Dad, Poor Dad

62. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

63. N. by Stephen King

64. Spellbound by Nora Roberts

65. Breaking Dawn: The Twilight Saga, Book 4 by Stephanie Meyer

66. Club Dead: A Sookie Stackhouse Novel

67. The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

News on Your iPhone – Never be without your favorite news sources while you’re on the go. Don’t forget to include an RSS reader for your iPhone to keep all of your news neatly organized.
68. People Celebrity News Tracker
69. iDrudge Drudge Reader
70. News Addict
71. Business Week
72. NPR News
73. WSJ: The Wall Street Journal
74. NY Times
75. USA Today

Now that you have a starter list for the ultimate personal iPhone library, you can add more of your favorite books and resources to jam pack oodles of knowledge into one handheld device. Don’t worry you can always add and remove your apps if you get low on iPhone space to make room for all your applications and other iPhone goodies.

Written By: Caroline Ross

Open Source applications are a great resource for educators not only because they’re free, but many times you can find specific applications for your students needs. Many teachers and schools have embraced the endless opportunities open source has to offer. From reducing administrative costs to promoting student and teacher interaction, instructors around the world are singing its praises. We have created a list of what we think are the best available apps out there and have categorized them into the following: Science, Language, Math, Administrative & Content Management, Interactive & Online Classrooms, Study Aids, Video & Imaging, Music, Multimedia, Geography & History, and Mapping Tools.

Science

Design and facilitate the scientific processes with some of these helpful apps.

1. Stellarium With this app, you can input coordinates for any point on earth and view the night skies for any particular point in time. It’s so accurate, even planetariums have been known to use it.

2. ByoDyn Used by a number of Biology teachers, this app can be used for estimate and analyze the parameters when building biochemical networks.

3. Celestia Like Stellarium, this app lets you view the night skies from earth, but it also lets you fly through 3D space to any place in the universe. It uses actual photographs of planets, asteroids, and other objects, so that you can see what they really look like.

4. Jmol This java based app lets students create diagrams of atoms, molecules, crystals, and more. The site includes a handbook and tutorials for helping you learn how to use the software.

5. Seismic Toolkit (STK) Makes it easier for you and your students to analyze data from seismic events. It includes tools for filtering and plotting data, polarization, and more.

6. Xoscope Turn any Linux PC into a digital oscilloscope for analyzing sound waves. With this tool, you can visualize up to eight channels at once, control the time scale, and make measurements.

7. ProtoMol A framework for molecular dynamics simulation. This app was designed by a scientist to be highly flexible, easily extensible, and to meet high performance demands.

8. Kalzium Contains a plethora of data on the periodic table of the elements. It also solves chemical equations, shows pictures of the elements, and includes a helpful glossary.

9. Step Demonstrate the principles with this physics simulator. Place an object in a scene, add forces like springs or gravity, and see what happens.

10. Space Trajectory Analysis This app lets educators analyze, simulate, and visualize the paths of objects that have been launched into space. It’s currently being used by the European Space Agency and a number of international universities.

Language & Writing

From speaking Chinese to learning phonics, these apps will get your students interested in language and writing in no time.

11. Zkanji Designed to help English speakers learn Japanese, but has a number of uses in the classroom environment. It includes a dictionary, vocabulary lists, a study program, tests, and other helpful features.

12. BingoCardMaker Foreign language instructors often find that a game of Bingo breaks up the monotony of learning new vocabulary words. This app makes it easy to generate random cards from a set of images.

13. 80 Million Tiny Images Visual dictionary of Google images that presents a visualization of nouns in the English language. You can also label the images.

14. DOC Cop Test student work for plagiarism with this app. Use this free tool to do the tedious work and also email you a report of how much of the document was copied and where the copied lines may have originated.

15. Penzu Keep an online journal using this site. This can be useful for both students and teachers.

16. WordSift Used for vocabulary and English, you and your students can analyze text and get information about the vocabulary in it.

17. jVLT Combines a flashcard like tool with a dictionary and a quiz tool to help students learn a foreign language. You can input your own vocabulary list or use one of the downloadable files, which include German-French, Thai-English, French-English, practical Chinese, and many others.

18. CAST UDL Book Builder This wonderful and free online tool allows you to create your own interactive “books” to help young readers learn reading strategies to build comprehension. Enter your own text, images, and hints.

19. Babiloo A free open source software developed to read offline dictionaries.

20. WIKINDX No more days of making note cards and bibliography cards by hand? Now you can replace that process with a digital system that simplifies searching for a quote or collaborating with multiple authors. Automatically formats footnotes, endnotes, and bibliographies.

21. Citebite Useful for reading comprehension, reading a specific portion of text, or even for highlighting a literary device within a text or poem. Students will no longer waste time, announcing, “I can’t find it!” or return to school saying they couldn’t do the homework!

Math & Logic

Get your students interested in algebra and Geometry with some help from these apps.

22. ChildsPlay Includes a number of different games suitable for preschoolers and kindergarteners. The games are educational as well as just plain fun.

23. Sequencer Students can learn about number patterns in sequences by specifying a starting number, multiplier, and add-on. The numbers in the sequence are displayed on a graph, and they are also listed below the graph.

24. gnuplot Provides both 2D and 3D graphs to make it easier to visualize mathematical functions or scientific data. Graphs can be saved or exported in numerous file formats or sent directly to your printer.

25. GeoGebra Creates dynamic models useful for learning about geometry, algebra, and calculus. At the site, you’ll also find extensive wikis, worksheets, and other help for math teachers.

26. MATHRAX A graphing tool by NASA for middle school and high school students to graph equations, physics simulations, or plot data files.  The graphs have descriptions and sound so students can hear and read about the graph.

27. GraphCalc Run this app for free on your PC. It’s as easy to use as a standard graphing calculator and it creates graphs.

28. Maxima This computer algebra system solves equations and plots data and functions. The web site also includes a handy list of links to other open source computer algebra software.

29. Multiplication Station Reinforce addition, subtraction, or multiplication with this grid themed application. It also has a countdown timer to keep kids focused.

30. TTCalc A scientific calculator that lets you use really big numbers. Features include arithmetical functions, logical operators, trigonometric functions, logarithms, hyperbolic functions and more.

Interactive & Online Classrooms

Online & Interactive Classrooms are the wave of the future. Here are some apps to help get you started on your way.

31. Mando Lets you create an interactive whiteboard. If you have your computer connected to a camera and a projector, you can use your laser pointer to control the computer in front of the class, just as you would use a mouse.

32. Claroline Easily set up an online class or organize student activities on the Web. Teachers can write a course description, publish multimedia documents, prepare online exercises, assign homework, send announcements, and more.

33. eFront Like the above, this app lets you author online content, create tests, communicate with the class, assign homework, and track progress. It also includes surveys and the ability to create your own certifications.

34. Safe Exam Browser Locks down students’ PC’s to prevent students from closing or leaving the testing window, using keyboard shortcuts, using the right-click menus, switching to other applications, or surfing the net when taking an online exam.

35. ILIAS An international app that lets you attend ILIAS conferences and user meetings around the world in order to learn more about this learning system. Like the others in the category, it includes features like course management, online exercises, and chats.

36. TeacherTube Find educational videos as well as lesson plan ideas and tutorials from other teachers with this application.

37. CoFFEE The acronym for “Collaborative Face to Face Educational Environment”. The aim is to help groups of students collaborate on problem solving activities. It includes a set of tools for shared work, individual work, and communication that can be managed and monitored by the teacher.

38. WordPress.org A free and open source software that makes personal publishing as easy as word processing. Make your life and your students’ life easier by keeping a classroom or subject blog.

39. Moodle One of the more popular open source class management systems, this apps key features include assignments, blogs, chats, forums, polls, surveys, quizzes, wikis, and more. A great deal of help for teachers new to online education.

40. BOSS Online Submission System Developed by the University of Warwick, this submission system isn’t a allow students to submit assignments online securely. Teachers can then run tests on submissions and grade assignments online.

41. TCExam Compared to traditional pen and paper tests, this app makes grading faster and more accurate. It installs on any server, and students can take the test from any computer or PDA with a browser.

42. SchoolRack A free app for teachers to create classroom web sites. Using these class portals, teachers can interact with students and parents, post, collect, and grade assignments, send messages to students, and more.

Art, Imaging & Video

Educators and students will love these great apps that can create art, podcasts, and more.

43. Tux Paint Lets kids create small drawings using paintbrush, rubber stamp, line, shape, and text tools, and special effects. Designed for kids in preschool through second grade.

44. Animoto Teachers and their students can upload pictures and sounds and create professional looking videos which can then be downloaded and shared online. Promote enthusiasm to less exciting tasks such as extended writing and practicing oral pronunciation.

45. Gabcast Use this application for podcast creation and hosting sites. You or your students can even use a cell phone to record the podcast.

46. Issuu Lets you upload office or pdf documents and turns them into a collage type album with pages that turn. Students will love this for their special assignments.

47. ArtRage 2 You and your students can paint with thinned oils, use wet or dry markers, soften the pencil and control the hardness of the crayon, and much more.

48. Flickr A nice tool to get a stream of images on any topic. Make content available to your students only.

49. Sliderocket Create a stunning-looking PowerPoint-style multimedia presentation which can then be viewed and shared online. A great way to introduce topics in the classroom.

50. One True Media A blast for doing presentations.  Use your photos you can download directly from Flickr and you can even use sound too.

51. Smilebox Especially good for class blogs, this tool has some nice templates. Classmates can share photos or save them for their own projects.

52. Carbonmade: Your Online Portfolio One fabulous way for art or photography students to create a free online portfolio to share work in your class, share with other students, or even submit as an online collection for competitions or college admissions.

Study Aids

These apps can help students create great study habits for life.

53. jMemorize Lets you create your own flashcards and then quizzes you on them. The feature that sets this app apart is that you can keep track of how many of your cards you know well, which you sometimes know, and which you don’t know at all.

54. Shmoop Provides study guides for literature, US history, poetry, and civics, as well as biographies of famous people. Full of pop culture references that make the subjects easier to grasp and more enjoyable for students.

55. Pauker Designed to strengthen ultra-short-term, short-term, and long-term memory. Because you create your own flashcards, students can use it to help you remember any particular subject of interest.

56. SimplyBox Research can help students learn more about the subjects they’re studying. Teachers can help them to think “outside the box” with this tool.

57. Quizlet More than just flashcards and very easy to use. Get students started on good study habits.

58. Mobile Learning Engine A learning and studying application for mobile phones written in Java. It enables you to use your phone at anytime and at anyplace for computer-aided, multimedia-based learning projects.

59. MyRocketbook A collaborative online study community. This app is focused on the student but educators use it as a valuable tool in the classroom as well.

60. Apture Makes learning and finding information easier since it is in linear form. Your information’s deeper meaning occurs with richer context in a shorter time frame. This relevant content remains within your classroom site.

61. Parley This app stands out because of its extensive set of pre-existing flashcard files available for download. In addition to sets of cards to help you learn more than a dozen different languages, it also has cards to help you learn important dates, anatomy, music theory, chemical elements, and more.

Administration & Content Management

Let these apps reduce the time you take on tasks such as attendance and grading, and make more time for you to teach your students.

62. openSIS The Open Source Student Information System has helped a number of schools reduce administrative costs. It includes student demographics, contact information, scheduling, grade book, reporting, report cards, transcripts, health records, and attendance.

63. Archon This app is currently being used by over 40 universities. It simplifies the process of creating a searchable web site to house archival materials. You can input or edit information via web forms and the software will automatically upload and publish it.

64. SchoolTool An extremely useful tool that offers a grade book, attendance tracker, calendar, and emergency contacts. SchoolTool can even create report cards for each student based on the recorded grades.

65. eduCommons A content management system designed for Open Courseware projects. A number of universities around the world are making the content of their courses freely available online.

66. Schools Plone Skin A great app for the non technical educator. Create and maintain information using only a web browser.

67. Fedora Commons Allows you to manage, keep, and link different types of digital content. An example would be to use it to create an archive of video, audio, and text files on a particular topic. Then students can search and comment on the subject.

68. Open Admin A web based school administration program. There are a number of modules included such as discipline, an online grade book, parent & student viewing, and much more.

Music & Audio

Educators and students of music will love these apps with features such as music theory, and even writing their own compositions.

69. LenMus Combines a variety of useful tools for learning music into a single download. It includes ear training activities, music theory exercises, and a score editor so you can write your own compositions.

70. GNU Solfege This app teaches students to identify and sing intervals, recognize rhythms patterns, sing scales and chords, and identify harmonic progressions.

71. Jamendo A good way to add some music to a class blog. It can also be helpful to introduce music while working with lyrics in the classroom.

72. Juice Makes it easy for students to capture and listen to podcasts, any time, anywhere. It includes a directory of thousands of online podcasts, so it’s also easy to find the topic you’re looking for.

73. Lilypond.org An automated engraving system used my many music teachers. It formats music beautifully and automatically, and has a friendly syntax for its input files.

74. Audacity An easy to use and multilingual audio editor and recorder. Cut, copy, splice or mix sounds together, record live audio, and more.

75. BestPractice If you’re students are trying to transcribe, orchestrate, or just learn how to play a particular piece, it can be really helpful to be able to slow down a recording. This app lets music teachers slow down CD tracks or MP3s without lowering the pitch of the music.

76. Mixere Lets you play and mix an unlimited number of audio tracks during a live performance. Features include dynamic looping, auto-triggering of audio, fully automated sliders, gradual muting, and cross fading.

77. Finale Enhance and transform the experience of making, teaching, learning, and performing music with your students. This app transformed the process by which musicians, teachers, and students create, edit, audition, print, and publish musical scores.

Library & Multimedia

Check out what many libraries are using as well as some Multimedia applications.

78. Koha The first open source Integrated Library System (ILS). Used all over the world,  its development is steered by a growing community of libraries striving to achieve technological goals.

79. eLibrary An electronic book library organizer that can catalog, tag and search your books database with ease. Automatically fetches the book’s details and cover image from the web in an instant.

80. XBMC Media Player Winner of multiple awards, this app plays virtually any type of video, audio, or photo file, as well as organizing media files with its library management system.

81. VuFind Designed by libraries for libraries, this app replaces the traditional online public access catalog with a Web 2.0 portal. Search all of your library’s resources and even text yourself a call number so you don’t have to write it down on a little slip of paper.

82. Evergreen Helps library patrons find library materials, and helps libraries manage, catalog, and circulate those materials, no matter how large or complex the libraries.

83. Greenstone A tool for building digital libraries. It provides a new way of organizing information and publishing it on the Internet or on CD-ROM form.

Geography & History

With these apps you can view world globes as well as listen to what some famous historians have to say.

84. GoogleEarth Satellite imagery, maps, terrain and 3D buildings put the world’s geographic information at your fingertips. Students can see the world from a different point of view which makes learning interesting.

85. WorldWind Developed by NASA, this app allows you to access satellite imagery of any point on earth. A bit similar to Google Earth, but has some different features, including the ability to access satellite imagery of the moon.

86. Footnote With a collection of over 58 million original historical documents, teachers can make history seem more real. Students can also annotate documents, to get a better understanding of them.

87. KGeography An educational software game that tests students geographical knowledge. Browse the maps clicking in a map division to see its name. Every nation’s flag and capital will be shown as well.

88. Marble In addition to satellite imagery, this app will also let you explore maps of the world. Choose from topographic maps, street maps, temperature and precipitation maps, and globe views.

89. Mashface Upload a photo of a famous individual, then uses a webcam to add your voice and lips to that person. This could be perfect for getting into the mind of a famous person being studied in history.

90. Ted.com A series of talks by a variety of striking people.  The goal is to bring people from the worlds of technology, history, and design together.

Mapping Tools

Look into these apps to promote strong visualization and make note taking fun for your students.

91. Mayomi A free flash-based mind mapping tool that lets you map out ideas, projects, research topics, or anything else that can be dug into. Great for students when it comes to writing essays.

92. Argumentative This app lets you build an “argument map”. In other words, a visual representation of the structure of an argument. It’s helpful for students studying critical reasoning, logic, debate, philosophy, and persuasive writing.

93. Cmap Tools Build interactive, collaborative mind maps with text, video, and weblinks. Used by many high school teachers and college professors advanced for advanced project work and EAP writing.

94. Mind 42 A free mind map maker with an emphasis on the collaboration. Google instant messenger is built in and if you are a Wikipedia fan there is also an option to attach an article.

95. FreeMind A mind mapping app that makes it easy to create a diagram or picture that shows how words or concepts are related. It’s a great tool for students to brainstorm or problem solve.

96. bubble.us This easy and free online tool allows you to brainstorm ideas, save your mind map as an image, share with students, and create colorful mind map organizers.

96. Recall Plus Promote your students learning power with the downloadable app. A great tool for memorization and creating intelligent ideas.

97. Semantik A mind mapping tool designed for document generation, especially student reports and thesis.

98. Many Eyes A take on the power of human visual intelligence to find patterns. Use this tool to create great discussions and debates in your classroom.

99. Simple Solver Very easy to use tool for collaborative projects, brainstorming and problem solving. Students will enjoy using this for group discussions.

100. Wisemapping Considered to be a “Visual Thinking Evolution”, this app offers free web based mind maps you can share anywhere on the web.

We hope these Open source applications can reduce your administrative tasks so that you can have time to educate your students and engage them in learning as well.

Have you noticed how some people flip through pages that may take hours to read in order to fully comprehend? Have you seen an impressive video of someone turning pages very quickly and claiming they are reading? That could be you. Just visit the top 100 speed reading sites below for techniques, free eBooks, software, videos, courses, and more to help you get started.

Best Ten Sites for Speed Reading

These sites specialize in the art of speed reading and have just about everything you need to know on the topic.

1. Beyond Human: This free webzine explores the limits of human potential and has many tools for speed readers. There are articles, product reviews, and discussion forums that are full of help.

2. Speed Reading Specialist: This site has many tools for the speed reader, including for kids. You can get tips, speed reading online, information on seminars, and much more.

3. Reading Transformations: In addition to the free speed reading tests, they offer a free in house session for organizations. You can also get more information on their online courses for students.

4. Reading Transformations: David Aylwin has taught speed reading to many top organizations across the country. Get more information, or you can sign up for a free trial course.

5. Write Group: Located in New Zealand, they provide many writing resources to their clients. Free stuff from them includes writing tips, a speed reading test, and an eCourse.

6. Speed Reading World: Free resources on this site include a speed reading test and even a forum specifically for the topic. You can also learn more about online courses and private lessons.

7. Study Guides and Strategies: They have a test and tips exclusively for speed readers. You can also get tons of other writing and educational resources on the site.

8. Speed Reading: Get tons of free articles on speed reading by visiting the site. Start with “Different Ways to Learn How to Read Fast,” and then move onto how to not get ripped off, getting the most from courses, and guided reading.

9. The Harris Institute of Speed Reading: Anyone looking for some helpful tips on speed reading in English or French should visit this site. Read the helpful tips, or you can learn about the services they offer.

10. Learning Techniques: This Ivy League professor teaches classes in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. But you don’t have to live in the area to get the many useful tips and articles on the site.

Best Tests to Become a Speed Reader

Test your current speed and improve on it by trying out these free and fun tests.

11. Speed Reader X Review: Get both a speed reading and reading comprehension test for free at this site. They even offer a free speed reading mini course.

12. Free Reading Test: Provided by Ace Reader, there are 13 levels of this test to choose from for children, adults, and advanced readers. Just pick your level and get many reading exercises to choose from.

13. Reading Speed Checks: With several tests to choose from, make time for this site. You can do one for light reading, study reading, and even see why you read slowly.

14. Spreeder: Paste your text or click “spreed” to begin learning how to read faster. There is also a tutorial if you need more help.

15. Speed Reading Test Online: Reading Soft brings you this free test which tells you how many words you read per minute. It also tells you what reading level you are.

16. Study Habits: Click start to read the maximum amount of words as you can, and then click finish to see the results. You can also get a study guide and tactics on this site.

17. Test Engine: This test is unique in that it allows you to paste your own text for reading. You can also adjust the speed with which you would like to try to read it in.

18. How Many Words Per Minute Do You Read?: Mind Bluff lets you know how fast you read in just 60 seconds. Simply click start, begin reading JFK’s inaugural address, and see when the minute is up.

19. Free Online Speed Reading Test: Choose your word count or level and start the test to see where you place. You can also read the free, linked articles for more help.

20. Free Speed Reading Test: Increase your reading comprehension with the help of Short Burst Learning. Click on start, read the text in the window, and then click stop to get your results.

Tests to Become a Better Reader

Speed aside, these tests can allow you to improve your overall reading, gauge where you are, or truly put your speed reading to the test.

21. Reading Comprehension: These are the tests SAT students use to prepare for the exam. Fourteen exams test your ability to understand a passage and answer questions on the basis of what is stated in the passage.

22. Critical Reading Section: Another SAT prep test, you can choose from sentence completions and passage based reading. There are also other related tools on the site.

23. Accuplacer Test Practice: Another exam used by college students, this one also has questions for advanced readers. If too difficult, there is also a basic reading comprehension test.

24. Reading Comprehension Test: After you have taken their speed reading test, Reading Soft recommends this one. Used in conjunction, the tests will help both in speed and comprehension.

25. Practice GED Exam: This test is offered to those who want to complete high school in one test. In addition to the Language Arts section, you can also get practice exams for math, science, and social science.

26. GMAT Verbal Section: The Graduate Management Admission Test is a standard exam given to those looking to go into certain graduate schools. Verbal skills practice offered include critical reasoning, reading comprehension, grammar and sentence structure, and verbal and quantitative sections.

27. Practice Reading Tests: These tests were designed for grade school students to examine their proficiency. There are questions with short or long answers, and you can get help with scoring.

28. Reading Speed and Comprehension Test 1: This test is for speed, comprehension, and the results are analyzed in the Reading Speed Analysis Table. There is also a Test 2 if you enjoy taking this one.

Best Reading to Become a Speed Reader

These articles, blogs, and newsletters were written with the speed reading student in mind.

29. Reading Expert Newsletters: Currently, this site has 22 free newsletters online available to read. They cover everything from vocalization to top ten tips for helping children read.

30. The Literacy Company Articles: Along with their top rated software, you can visit the site for loads of free articles related to speed reading. The top three include myths, the reading process, and the key to enhanced reading skills.

31. Tips and Techniques Newsletter: This newsletter is dedicated to turning you into a speed reader. Just type in your name and email to begin receiving their tips.

32. Rocketreader Newsletters: A powerful speed reading software, their helpful newsletters are available to anyone who wishes to read them. You can also get free resources on critical thinking in reading and improving decision making.

33. Study Habits Blog: Alex helps other students with a number of study guides, including speed reading. Get tips on why and how to do this by checking out his blog.

34. Speed Read Review: A short blog, they post solely on the art of speed reading. You can get tips, secrets, and more by checking it out.

35. Bonnie’s Blog: She is part of Advanced Reading Concepts, which specializes in speed reading. The blog is full of information on the topic, as well as their courses.

36. Mind Perk: Visit here for a ton of free articles on self improvement, including speed reading. You can also check out their books, CDs, downloads, and more.

Best Free eBooks to Become a Speed Reader

Visit these sites to download these free books and some of them even allow reading online.

37. Rapid Reader: The library is an ever growing collection of hundreds of free books created in RapidReader format and available for all sorts of platforms. They also have impressive tips and tricks available as downloads or Rapid Guides.

38. Speed Reading A to Z: This free guide can help you absorb information five times as fast as you do now. Just enter your name and email to receive it instantly.

39. Free Speed Reading eBook: Offered as a speed reading monster course, it is available for only a limited time. Chapters include the most important part of the paragraph, eyesight vs. vision, and the three things to learn anything.

40. Speed Reading Secrets Revealed: Valued at $17.00, you can get a free copy by entering your name and email address. It contains tips and tricks to increase your reading speed instantly.

41. Time Management/ Reading Timer: Simply sign up for announcements from ExecuRead to get this $20 value for free. You can also find other help for speed reading on the site.

42. 7 Steps to Mental Mastery: This book shows you how to use your mind effectively, to achieve whatever you want in life. There are also articles on the site on improving memory and mind shift.

Best Free eBooks to Better Your Reading

Learn how to enjoy reading again or get some help by picking up these free eBooks.

43. On The Art of Reading: This classic by Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch was published in 1920 and is still highly regarded today. It is 194 pages and available for free in a variety of forms.

44. The Guide to Reading: Volume 23 of Pocket University’s publication helps students get the most of out their reading. You can read an excerpt without downloading a thing or be the first to add a review.

45. Advanced Memory Techniques: The memory techniques in this eBook show you how to keep all that information in your head. Topics discussed include virtual mindmaps, dates, memorization techniques, and more.

46. Helping Your Child Learn to Read: Whether your child wants to become a speed reader or just needs some help getting motivated, this eBook will show you how. It has useful tips and activities that children and parents can do together.

47. Reading Made Easy for Foreigners: If English is not your first language, this simple story can help you read it better. It is 114 pages long, and you can even read it online without downloading.

Best Articles to Become a Speed Reader

Check out these articles for even more help on becoming a speed reader.

48. 10 Tips to Improve Reading Speed and Comprehension: Richard Feldman is a speed reading expert from Columbia University and shares his ten best tips for speed reading. They include how and when to read, forming a question, and more.

49. Reading Comprehension and Speed Reading Strategies: Provided by Providence College, these easy to follow tips are ideal for those who want to read faster and retain more. You can also get help with learning styles, test taking, and effective notes.

50. Speed Reading Secrets: Jon Rhodes shows you the secrets that paid instructors don’t want you to know. They include the hand, card, sweep, and many more.

51. The Science of Speed Reading: Find tips to help you increase your reading pace on this article. Sciences discussed include phonics, contextual clues, and holistic word recognition.

52. Speed Reading Hand Movement: Just as important as your eyes, speed readers can also train their hands in the practice. Three steps show you how to team both to help your reading go even faster.

53. Three Simple Techniques to Double Your Reading Speed: They include skimming, first sentence reading, and group wording. There are also even a few extra techniques thrown in.

54. More Tips on Speed Reading: Didn’t learn enough from the above? Then read this article to get some of the lesser known tips for speed reading.

Best Games to Become a Speed Reader

Increase your reading speed and more while having some fun by checking out these top speed reading games.

55. Key Words Perception and Speed Reading: Choose from many free games and lessons built for the speed reader. They include mix letters, back words, a cryptogram game, and speed typing.

56. Speed Mnemonic Game: Offered by the same site, the game helps improve your mind concentration and digital mnemonic memory. The game can even analyze your results and make suggestions based on your overall performance.

58. Lumosity: This site specializes in games to improve your mind. You can choose from games for speed, memory, problem solving, and more.

59. Cryptogram Game: This free flash game develops the perceptions of words for speed reading. It crypts a sentence and calls for you to solve it.

Best Free eCourses to Become a Speed Reader

If you need more help, sign up for one or more of these free eCourses to speed up your reading at no charge.

60. Speed Reading Tactics: The experts at ProductivElearn offer a trial course at no charge. You can also get information on other courses, a free test, and loads of articles.

61. Speed Reading and Subvocalization: Offered by Magic Speed Reading, it uses a virtual metronome to help you read faster. There is also a Wide Your Span Eye lesson at no charge.

62. Speed Reader X: Get reviews for all sorts of different speed reading courses and tools by checking out this blog. You can also enroll for a recommended course at no charge.

63. Speed Reading: Provided entirely for free, you can get this speed reading course as a download. It is compatible with both PC’s and mobile devices with Windows.

64. Improve Reading Quickly: They offer a free reading improvement course, as well as other resources at no charge. You can also get help, a consultation, and movies.

65. Evelyn Wood Reading Dynamics: She is a leading name in speed reading and offers a free dynamics lesson. You can also visit her site to see why you read slowly or get answers to common questions.

66. Reading Genius: They sell a set of speed reading software on their site. You can also sign up by name and email to receive reading lessons, MP3 files, and coupons.

67. Speed Reading Exercises: Choose from readings skills development or field of sight development on this site. You can also get exercises to supplement these two lessons.

68. Speed Read.org: This short, free lesson is divided into several sections and is full of tips. You can also choose from a number of paid courses and products.

69. Online Speed Reading Course: Offered by Mr. Kent, this is one of several free courses he offers on various sorts of educational subjects. Just select your desired words per minute to begin.

Best Videos for Speed Reading

70. Free Speed Reading Course: Instructor Paul Nowak of Iris teaches speed reading techniques to students at Ohio State University. Get this free course on YouTube in five parts.

71. Speed Reading Tutorial: Taught by the same instructor as above, this free tutorial helps you understand your current speed and teaches you how to increase it.

72. Speed Reading: Another entry from YouTube, this playlist consists of 46 videos. You can get practice exercises, tips for different levels, and even interviews with experts.

73. How to do Speed Reading Video: If the 1,000 words per minute on this video go too fast, you can click it down to 600. You can also click on linked videos that show you how to increase speed.

74. Speed Reading: This playlist consists of 31 videos on the topic. In addition to the course and tutorial, you can also get help with speed math.

75. EyeQ Advantage: The short video and free session are sure to help you speed up your reading. You can also get more information on their products or sign up to win a free iPod touch.

76. How to Improve Reading Speed: Laura from the Young Writer’s Workshop talks about improving reading speed. The short video gives quick, essential tips on the topic.

77. High School Power Reading: The same instructor from before shows students at this level starting off points for speed reading. It shows how to group words and phrases together to read them more efficiently.

78. Speed Reading Clip: Scroll down the page to get a clip of a speed reading demonstration video. Thirteen year old Beth Jaffee impresses Johnny Carson with her speed reading abilities.

Best Software to Become a Speed Reader

Bring the best in speed reading software to your computer to get even more help with speed reading. Although these softwares are for sale, they all have a free demo or trial period.

79. The Reader’s Edge: This leading software is suitable for anyone ages five and up. It has easy program navigation, detailed lessons, simple exercises, and even a money back guarantee.

80. Ace Reader: With options available for personal, educational, business, or special use, this software is worth a look. You can get help on determining which solution is best or most affordable and the software comes with tons of tools.

81. Rocketreader: With a free, ten day trial, you have nothing to lose by trying it out. It even allows you to access speed reading techniques on live websites and has many resources on the page.

82. Speed Your Read: Get a free demo of this software, along with a free test on the trial basis. If you enjoy it, the price is only $14.95 for a download and it can be accessed by multiple users.

83. Really Easy Reader: This software guarantees that you will double your reading speed in 60 days with its help. There is even a practice exercise right there on the homepage that helps with speed reading.

84. RapidReader: This software is available for Windows, Mac, Palm, and even Nokia. There is even a link to a “Really Fast News” clip to help your reading even more.

85. Stretch: In addition to increasing your reading power, this software also helps with spelling, vocabulary, and typing. For Windows users only.

86. Speed Reading: In addition to the free trial, you can also sign up for their speed reading newsletter. There is also a test and list of bad reading habits.

87. Best Reader: Along with the software as a free demo, visitors can see the reasons for slow reading, get reading exercises, and take the free test.

Best Free Software to Become a Speed Reader

Unimpressed with the above? Then check out these free downloads to help accelerate your reading.

88. Reading Acceleration Machine: This small freeware device presents word-groups sequentially at a pace chosen by the user. It can also be used in different languages.

89. Text Perception: Learn how to read 240 pages in two to three hours with the help of this software. It also allows you to adjust speed during the learning exercises.

90. Flash Speed Reading 2.1: This free download comes with exercises to help you in your speed reading. Available for Windows 98 through XP.

91. Speed Reading Joke: Lear how to eliminate 30% of text with this download. Free flash lessons and a Windows utility will help you do this.

Best Tools for Photo Reading

Speed reading too slow for you? Then learn more about this technique, in which your mind is used like a camera to achieve unbelievable reading speeds.

92. Photo Reading: This is a unique way to process and understand large volumes of information quickly and efficiently without speed reading. If you think you can handle 25,000 words per minute, give this site a visit.

93. PhotoReading Whole Mind System Reading Program: Get information on how photoreading works, who can benefit from it, and their seminars. You can also order a free CD-Rom with more information.

94. PhotoReading: Steve Pavlina gives a review and introduction to this technique. You can also get a video or booklet as a free download.

95. PhotoReading: An Introduction: Pete Bissonette is the president of Learning Strategies. He gives an introduction, along with tips, on photoreading.

96. Photoreading My First Book: Ravi Raman ordered a photoreading kit and reviews the results. See how it turned out, or get more tips on setting higher standards.

Best Specialty Sites for Speed Reading

These sites have a particular area of speed reading in mind.

97. Photographic Memory: This course can also provide you with the tools to read at 25,000 words per minute. They have extensive information on what they do, and there are three free different helpful audio files to choose from.

98. Rev It Up Reading: Get an array of tools for speed reading under the Freebies & Tips section of this website. They also have help for email and time management.

99. Productive Learn: Visit here to get information on accelerated learning, memory improvement, mastering information overload, and even speed reading. You can get many free tips or order one of their products.

100. Hypnotic Writing: Use this software to unlock the power of your unconscious mind. It sells for $99, has a money back guarantee, and is ideal for anyone who does lots of writing in their job.

If you are someone who loves to read, has a ton of unread books on their shelves, is a student with too little time, or a freelancer looking for ideas, you can find tons of resources, tools, and tips on these top 100 speed reading sites.

The world of academia is vast and sometimes unreliable. These scholars, their blogs and other academic resources will show you the best of education and emerging thoughts on education reform. Crank up your RSS feeder and never miss out on a vital piece of academic information again.

General/High-School or Lower Grades

1. BlogScholar – Whatever your academic field or interests are, this site’s got you covered. It features different blog scholars from different subjects, dishes about publishing, and can even be followed on Twitter.

2. ProTeacher Community – This colorful site is for those who teach anything between kindergarten and 8th grade. It offers message boards, online meetings rooms, great downloads and awesome advice for all subjects.

3. Students of the World – From grade school through college, this site is all about finding students pen pals in different countries. Publish a blog, contact your pen pal via e-mail or snail mail, join clubs of like-minded people, and more.

4. Experiential Education Portal – The Experiential Education Portal is…well…a portal, to sites covering all aspects of teacher’s lives. Entertaining blogs, articles on technology and teaching, educational research articles, and other awesome links.

5. Education Week – This is the online version of the magazine Education Week. It tackles issues facing teachers, from shifts in pedagogies to slashes in the budget and everything in-between.

6. Teachers.net – It’s all about the world of K-12 teaching with this straightforward site. Peruse classifieds for jobs, download lesson plans, participate in online discussions, and more.

7. Edutopia – Edutopia sponsors a series of teachers blogs that discuss all educational topics, from “defanging the F grade” to “how to become more tech savvy.” Additionally, it provides access to special reports, awesome videos, and development ideas for students and teachers alike.

8. Science Fair Project Resources – Like the name implies, this site is for the science-minded to get their creative juices flowing. Choose from over 900 projects, read the Science Buddies blog, and scope out the teaching resources to keep your young scientists learning.

9. ProTeacher Directory – Here’s another site with a little bit of everything for teachers. Get tips on lesson planning, classroom management, child development, and subject-specific tips for teaching.

10. Teacher Leaders Network – When the aliens land, why take them to the leader when you can be the leader? This site offers searchable archives of advice for teachers, informative blogs, the latest in teaching news, and more.

11. Effective Teaching – “Effective Teaching” is a great blog that’s updated monthly with teaching advice of all stripes. Tips include the coaching tips that can make you a better teacher, first day of school tips, using rubrics, and other helpful tricks.

12. Building Excellence Together – The blog is located in the Cayman Islands, but their “global reputation” transcends them in their quest to boost the educational system. Entries include work anecdotes, info about upcoming school competitions, student awards, and more.

13. To Try to Teach to Wonder – There’s a lot of morbid humor here that teachers can appreciate. Topics range from the trials of education to teaching with technology to the world’s dimmest cheaters.

14. Teach Effectively – This specific site offers “evidence-based teaching methods for helping students who are at risk for school failure or who have disabilities.” To this effect is offers helpful links, insightful commentary, and controversial stances on the notion of multiple intelligences.

15. The Education Wonks – There’s K-12 wisdom in abundance with this great site. Tips range from simple activities for those spare minutes in class to the effectiveness of standardized tests.

General/University-Related

16. Critical Mass – The focus of this blog is on fixing the problems with higher education—before they reach critical mass and explode. The blog touches on many topics, from politics to thoughtful quotes to the use of metaphor in everyday life.

17. About.com: Graduate School – As you may have guessed, it’s all about graduate school with this collection of advice. Whether you need to know how female-friendly academia is, the perils of tenure track life, or even negotiating a long-distance marriage, this site’s got what you need.

18. Academic Productivity – With the echoes of “publish or perish” still following us into the 21st century, boosting research skills is never a bad thing. This site offers tips, tricks, and technology to shape you into a better researcher.

19. Technology Solutions for Teaching and Research – It’s all about technology and teaching with this straightforward resource. Read about how less is more with Powerpoint, the art of the technological presentation, and the implications of group collaboration.

20. Techsophist – What do more and more digital spaces mean to us in the real world? That’s the question asked and at least partially answered by this cool Technology/Writing scholar and veteran blogger.

21. Higher Education News from the Collegiate Way – Here’s a healthy heaping of academic news from all around the world, in one convenient site. News items include graduate student welfare, reading recommendations, the possibility of charter colleges, and more.

Humanities

22. The Kept-Up Academic Librarian – The title of this quirky blog refers to its mission: helping out academic librarians keep up with all the happenings in higher education. The no-frills posts concern topics such as how tech-proficient students really are, the effects of the economy on vocational school enrollment, and the opening of international college branches.

23. American Revolution Blog – Interested in the American Revolution, American colonization, or just early American history in general? Then check out this media-friendly history site ideal for students and teachers alike.

24. Early Medieval Art – For those teaching or researching early medieval art, this site is a goldmine. It touches on issues of university art museum conservation, newly discovered works, new methods of learning, and more.

25. Art(h)ist’ry – Art history is the focus of this site, which features news and images from around the world. Subjects on the blog range from the healing powers of art to the aesthetic of California garages.

26. The View From Kalamazoo – For those interested in medieval literature and history, this site has quite a bit to offer. Info on upcoming conferences, the use of technology for research, and a lot of quirky humor are all just a click away.

27. Confessions of a Young Professor – These “confessions” mostly concern the human side of English teachers—the one that gets angry at students not showing up, that hates doing the reading even more than they do, and that is discovering the Zen aura of the hastily-prepared lesson plan. It provides a great look into the awkward, often humorous life of a young professional.

28. Academic Sandbox – The blog of an English PhD student, this sandbox has plenty of room in which to play. It dishes on teaching ESL, academic conference Tweets, the tribulations of putting a CV together, and more.

29. Keywords for American Cultural Studies – Representing the book of the same name, this site focuses on the academic buzzwords associated with American cultural studies. Read about the making of the book, browse excerpts regarding the keywords themselves, and immerse yourself in the cultural dialogue.

30. Literature Compass Blog – Despite its focus on literature, the primary focus of this blog is on issues concerning all of academia. Whether it’s the debate over what constitutes a scholarly journal or the notion of canon in the classroom, this site keeps you informed.

31. New York Philosopher – Here’s your dose of philosophical wisdom, New York style. The blogger examines the notion of career paths, the Zen of music, and thoughts on modern day irony.

32. Objectivist v. Constructivist v. Theist – What does every academic need to have in their arsenal? A no-holds-barred rhetorical struggle between Objectivism, Constructivism, and Theism, with lots of references to current events.

33. Observations on film art and Film Art – Did you get your film in my art, or did I get my art in your film? This blog explores film art from every angle, and serves both as a wonderful research tool and a resource for great film recommendations.

34. Quod She – In some ways, this blog represents a vision of the academic dream: the blog of an English professor who recently published a book to great acclaim, and secured tenure. Follow her in-depth posts as she asks herself the scariest question of all: what now?

35. Varieties of Unreligious Experience – If you placed photo essays, literature, religion, and academia in a blender, it might look something like this. This site focuses primarily on early modern literature, but brings humor and insight into a vast array of fields.

36. A. Lincoln Blog – Think you know Honest Abe? Think again. With the help of this historian and Lincoln scholar, you’ll learn about Lincoln’s farming, his clashes with the Supreme Court, and other events almost as awesome as his beard.

37. Blogging the Renaissance – Whether you like pretty pictures or pretty words (hopefully both), this site’s got you covered. There are summaries of renaissance conferences, an online reading group, and great photos that help bring Europe to life.

38. The Cranky Professor – The blog has a simple motto: “You type, and I tell you why 4,500 years of written history shows you’re wrong. “ In addition to examining ancient texts, the self-proclaimed cranky prof digs into common events, politics, academic life, and more.

39. English Eclectic – While “eclectic” is sometimes just an old world self-proclamation on par with calling yourself “random,” this gay, Catholic, Democratic Socialist English Historian has certainly earned the title. The observations span America and England, and touch on, unsurprisingly, religion, politics, homosexuality, and the occasional mixing therein.

40. Medieval Crusades – This site brings to life an ancient world that might as well be alien to modern readers: prolonged, bloody ideological conflicts between Christianity and Islam. Covering Byzantine history, the Crusades, and the Middle Ages at larger, this site is a great way to kill anywhere between a few minutes to a few months.

41. World War II History – An all-around archive for World War II, this page has all manner of media concerning the greatest war. Posters, audio clips, photos, news articles—it’s all here, in one research-friendly format.

42. The Victorian Peeper – Though it sounds like a British bodice-ripper, “The Victorian Peeper” is actually an awesome examination of 19th-century England. Get the low-down on Darwin, Big Ben, Victorian media, and more.

43. The Excluded Middle – What implications do Philosophy and Ethics have on us in the 21st century? This simple site explores those issues with analogies, humor, and logic.

44. Mumblings of a Platonist – Nothing quite like a hot summer with Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, and the rest of the gang. This Philosophy site is a boon to any academic as it touches on translation, interpretation, and scholarship—the three pillars of Philosophy.

45. Dial "M" for Musicology – Whether you study music or just love it, this site’s got something for you. It digs into musical hooks, differing genres, and even the concept of music as a genome.

46. Musical Perceptions – Find the musical perceptions in every person and thing with this groovy blog. Discover cultural research on music, the tonal pitch space of your favorite musicians, how DJs differentiate tonics, and more.

47. Renewable Music – While renewable energy may still be around the corner (possibly a block or two), renewable music is here right now. Topics include the musical codes embedded in the works of Samuel Beckett, great journals for music research, free scores available online, and other great items.

48. Smarter Music – For academics and musicians alike, “Smarter Music” has something to make you…well…smarter. Get the low-down on composing, the sex lives of musicians, and the future of collaborative media.

49. America’s Young Theologian – It’s tough being a young theologian in an increasingly bitter, atheistic world. For academics, philosophers, and theologians, this site delves into the implications of God/spirituality in the realms of politics, medicine, and movies.

50. Better Bibles Blog – Despite the many translations of the Bible, this blogger feels that we still haven’t gotten it quite right. Join along with his linguistic adventures and uncover the research and wisdom that might just decode the wisdom of God.

51. Just This Side of Heresy – What does it mean to be “just this side of heresy?” Denying Calvinism and original sin, rejecting fire and brimstone messages, and instead spreading the good word of God’s spirit. For academic, the forays into modern theology are as interesting as the modern day creative writing parables are entertaining.

52. Slave of the Word – All scholarly aspects of the Bible are explored on this thorough blog. Dig into dissertations on tithing, teaching religious classes, religious literature, and more.

53. Theologies – If you’ve been looking for some “theology for normal people,” then you’re definitely in the right spot. Offering something for academics and non-academics alike, the site’s goal is to parse the complicated wisdom of, say, Aquinas into a format we can all appreciate.

54. Thoughts On Antiquity – This site combines academic antiquity news with breaking news in the world of theology. Read about the oldest Christian Bible, calls for theology-related conferences, and reviews of the latest literature concerning antiquity.

Sciences

55. The Becker-Posner Blog – Do you like your academic blog with a side of economics? This blog examines economic issues affecting America, with a particular eye towards how they affect universities—the decline in endowments, and so on.

56. Biocurious – If you’ve ever wanted to look at biology through the eyes of physicists, now’s your chance. In addition to pontificating on science, this site digs into the death of the printed journal, the risks and rewards of defending your thesis, and offers some amazing photos of the natural world.

57. Econ Academics Blog – There’s no time like the present to research solutions to our failing economy. This meta-blog site links to a variety of economic bloggers, giving you a multitude of perspectives.

58. Bioethics Discussion Blog – It’s all about participating with this in-depth bioethics site. It features over 700 topics (ranging from the legality of DNA testing to the morality of eugenics), with room for you to leave comments on all of them.

59. Women’s Bioethics Blog – Focused on women’s bioethical issues and fueled by scholars and policy analysts the world over, this site is like no other. This great site reviews the latest literature, cutting-edge research, the intersection of politics and values, and other awesome topics.

60. Ethical Technology – What challenges does evolving technology pose to ethics? This site, comprised of multiple bloggers, seeks to answer questions of cyberwarfare, the necessity of further space exploration, the morality of “anti-aging” and other tantalizing topics.

61. Abandoned Footnotes – Ever wanted to read over your professor’s shoulder? This is the blog of a Political Science lecturer at Victoria University of Wellington, and deals greatly with the wisdom of ancient Greeks, the power of symbols, and more.

62. Time to Eat the Dogs – Unlike the end of that one Twilight Zone, the punchline of “Time to Eat the Dogs” is not that it’s a cookbook. Rather, this blogger serves man with posts dedicated to science and exploration, and explains myths and science with verve and style.

63. Cognitive Daily – How do we learn what we learn? That’s the focus of this neuroscience blog that offers thoughts on how movies, media, and music affect memory and learning.

64. Advanced Studies – Another great neuroscience blog, this site ponders many possibilities for cognitive research. There’s thoughts on augmented cognition, new literature concerning cognition, and even the future of innovation for America.

65. Not Even Wrong – Though it may sound like a rejected manuscript from James Patterson, “Not Even Wrong” is an amazing physics blog. Discussions include quantum theory, Dirac Cohomology, and string theory.

66. Swans On Tea – It’s not every day you find a mixture of physics, technology, and humor, but this is one of those days. This physics blog delves into the definition of a scientist, approximate numerical solutions, and the dangers of the fast food mafia.

67. Watered Down Physics – Sometimes hard physics can be a bit like hard liquor: it goes down a lot easier after the ice has melted some. Enter this physics blog from a non-physicist, which details symmetry, the physics of football, easy ways to solve equations, and more.

68. Union Street – Union Street is where sociology, education, politics, and culture all meet. Among other topics, the blog examines military schooling, emerging sciences, and global culture.

69. Rethinking Markets – If the economy can’t fix the stock market, maybe sociology can. That’s the theory behind this blog that discusses everything from academic writing to market regulation.

70. Uncommon Thought Journal – Sociology has fangs with this brutal blog. Topics include big city crime, broken campaign promises, banks misusing bailout money, and more.

71. Dynamics of Cats – Despite the name, the focus of this blog isn’t fuzzy pets but fuzzy stars—it’s an astronomy site. There’s stories, controversy, and more astrophysics news than you can shake a stick at.

72. Bad Astronomy – Like your astronomy with a side of humor? This blogger is just as quick to tell you about the mysteries of the skies as he is to sell you his comic book—Death From the Skies! It’s half-quirky and half-heartfelt, but 100% amazing.

Professional

73. Law School Academic Support Blog – This is an all-around amazing support for those in law school, or those considering it. You’ll get info on job opportunities, tips for success in school, and even lyrical tips to help remember the law.

74. Neuroethics & Law Blog – The 21st century presents a unique discussion between ethics and law. This blog delves into the related issues between the two, such as mental health in the criminal justice system, the admissibility of “expert witnesses,” and more.

75. Iconoclasm – It’s a topic buffet on this quirky site, which focuses on “early Christian iconoclasm, late antiquity, archaeology and more.” When not exploring the archaeological wonders of the world, the site engages you in a game called “When On Google Earth,” where you try to identify the archaeological site that Google’s eye in the sky has discovered.

76. Art and Architecture – You know you’re a hardcore academic when there aren’t enough lectures in your life. Enter this site, which provides online lectures concerning everything there is to do with art and architecture.

77. "no words no action" – And now for something completely different. This blog follows the author through the beginning and end of obtaining a Master’s in Architecture degree, allowing you to read the dissertation proposal, selected chapters, and more.

78. Learning Architecture – The focus on this site is on architectural education itself. It offers the perspective and humor of a doctoral student, with commentary on upcoming projects, stupid comments in library book marginalia, and recommended reading.

79. Don’t Forget Your Shovel – In addition to offering unique international views of public policy, this blog offers quirky anecdotes from the author’s life. Whether she’s dishing on ways to motivate yourself to write or just her latest gopher sightings, there’s something guaranteed to make you smile.

80. Iterating Towards Openness – With the goal of educational openness, this blog emphasizes “pragmatism over zeal.” Posts include tribulations from school as well as controversial advice for students, such as the notion that “you are replaceable.”

81. The Stingy Scholar – As the name might tell you, the primary emphasis of this blog concerns money and education. There’s tips on obtaining needed texts cheaply, online educational opportunities for those on a budget, and political decisions affecting education.

82. Chasing the Dragon’s Tale – Networking (social and otherwise) and its impact on education are what’s examined on this slick blog. Follow developments in social networking, educational panels discussing the implications of those developments, and more.

83. Procrastination – True to its name, the focus of this site is on “keeping up with yesterday’s blogging.” When it’s not discussing English and Math academic news, the blog reviews movies, academic-friendly technology, and the need for periodic vacations.

84. iMechanica – Take your tie off and put your gloves on: it’s all about mechanics in this blog. Read about post-doctoral openings, mechanical problems, and exciting mechanical theories.

85. Design Impact – What’s emphasized here is the steps we can take towards ecological sustainability, and the role that academics and education must play in this endeavor. The site discusses fuel prices, the pragmatism of biking to work, engineering breakthroughs, and more.

86. Ars Mathematica – Math is taken to a whole new level with this simple site. Topics include impetus physics, the visualization of the fourth dimension, and even the formula that killed Wall Street.

87. Good Math, Bad Math – With the goal of “finding the fun in good math” and “squashing bad math,” this site provides biting commentary about math and everything related to it. Once you’re done brushing up on chaotic systems and strange attractors, check out his music recommendations, thoughts on healthcare reform, and more.

88. Three-Toed Sloth – This simple math-related site provides humor and awesome info into one tasty package. There are lecture notes and take-home exams, book reviews, reading recommendations, and more.

89. Mind Reader’s Dictionary – Read the unique perspectives of this public policy expert turned commune-living activist turned doctor of evolutionary theory. With this unique lens, he examines politics, rhetoric, the cracks in traditional wisdom, and more.

90. Thoughts of a Neo-Academic – The “neo-academic” in question is a young soon-to-be professor of Psychology. He talks at length about technology affecting psychology, the nature and meaning of the GRE, the future of social media, and more.

91. Looking At Nothing – Representing the online version of this PhD Chemistry research, this blogger will break polymer chemistry down for you. While not updated as often as some other sites, the entirety of this endeavor takes you down the rabbit hole into the fascinating world of chemistry.

92. The Sceptical Chymist – What’s new in the world of chemistry and nature? This site offers interviews of chemists, issues with current science classrooms, Twitter round-ups, and more.

93. A Sibilant Intake of Breath – Why save the cheerleader when you can skip right to saving the world? This blog delves into ecology, offering info on solar plans, carbon emissions, and other world-saving ideas.

94. Broadbanding the Nation – A Government-Business Relations lecturer, this blogger discusses all you need to know about broadband technology. He’ll point you to awesome Youtube clips, news on government struggles with technological expansion, the role of Wikis in policy debate, and more.

95. The Duck of Minerva – It’s all about politics with this awesome blog. No politician is safe, nor any political decision, but this cynical view offers a wealth of information concerning how America works.

96. (Notes on) Politics, Theory & Photography – Here’s a political blog with a twist: an emphasis on visual rhetoric. In between well-informed critiques of progressive politics are incisive analyses of photography, providing a one-two punch of entertainment.

97. Global Health Ideas – This medical blog has a specific design: it offers a variety of ideas and solutions to provide global health care. In addition to its own advice, there’s a plethora of linked articles giving you a view of this topic spread all over the globe.

98. Biomedicine On Display – Consider this your one and only stop for awesome biomedical news. It offers info on upcoming conferences, the role of technology in affecting social change, the importance of organ donors, and more.

99. Doctor of Journalism – If you think journalism and mass communication don’t affect you, then put that TV in a fire along with your newspapers and books. This doctor of Journalism finds morbid humor in the headlines, thoughts on tabloids, pontifications on the crisis of modern journalism, and other great topics.

100. Thinking With My Fingers – Media studies, reader-response theory and Internet culture are just a few of the topics explored on this cool blog. Posts themselves cover technology news, gaming scoops, and an amazing array of photos.

If this list of 100 best blogs and websites for innovative academics doesn’t make you want to jump up and join the PTA, well, maybe you give it another once over.

Written By: Caroline Ross

One of the most difficult creative skills to master, poetry can be a life changing experience. While we all have that one or two poems that have changed our lives, the below sites contain the top 100 sites to study, teach, and share poetry so that you may find many more.

Best Comprehensive Poetry Sites

Visit these sites first for the best in studying and sharing poetry online.

1. Lulu Poetry: Stop by for the free poetry contests and poems of the day. Stay for the impressive reference section, a greatest poems option, and much more.

2. Poets.org: The Academy of American Poets keeps an updated and impressive site. Essential tools include essays, interviews, tips for both reading and writing, and even a section for educators.

3. Poetry Archive: A United Kingdom based site, you can find many tools for learning or teaching poetry. There are sections for educators, students, and librarians. A must see feature of this site includes historic recordings with poets such as Rudyard Kipling and George Mackay Brown.

4. Library of Congress: With a special section for poetry, visitors can get poetry webcasts, read about the current Poet Laureate, and get resources for teachers. There is also information on poetry prizes and fellowships.

5. The Poetry Trust: Stop here for learning, events, and a poetry festival located in the United Kingdom. There is also a poetry channel with many podcasts for the listening.

6. Poetry Slam, Inc.: A slam is competitive spoken word performance in which participants have three minutes to prove themselves to judges who have just been randomly selected from the audience. You can learn more, view past winners, or find a slam in your area.

Best Sites to Read Poetry

Find a new favorite poem, get inspiration, or something to share by visiting these sites with literally millions of free poems for the viewing.

7. Poetry Daily: Stop here for a new poem every day. You can also get a featured poet and book, picks, a prose feature, and more.

8. Famous Poets and Poems: With 628 poems and counting, this site is dedicated to poetry and to the people who make it possible. You can choose by theme, quote, or even the top 50 poems.

9. Poem Hunter: This poetry section has a database of 310,931 poems in every imaginable genre. There are also several poetry forums to choose from, and there is even a section with music lyrics.

10. 100 Poems: With over 86 million votes, view the winners for free on this site. Categories include the top 100 love poems, teen poems, and even a best of the best.

11. Poetry Out Loud: Created by the National Endowment for the Arts, this site runs a national recitation contest. In addition to learning more about the contest, you can browse the database of poems, and there is even a resource for audio or video poems.

12. Electronic Poetry Center: Created by poet Charles Bernstein and Loss Pequeno Glazier, this site is sponsored by the State University of New York at Buffalo. You can get e-poetry, author information, portals, blogs, and more.

13. Famous Poetry Online: Visit here for a free, online resource providing famous poems by the world’s most popular poets. Select a category or poet, and there is even a top 20 list.

14. Inspiration Peak: These specialty poems are sure to help you, not just in your writing, but life as well. You can also find inspirational quotes, stories, and eCards.

Best Sites to Teach Poetry Online

Both students and teachers of all levels will enjoy these poetry teaching sites.

15. Poetry 180: The Library of Congress offers this free poetry tool to provide a daily poem for each of the 180 school days. Intended for high school students, there is even help for reading a poem out loud.

16. PoetryClass: This site is a solution for teachers wanting to bring poetry alive in the classroom. It contains lessons, resources, and even tools for teaching children.

17. Moving Words: Open University offers online activities to teach poetry. Five different lessons include Search For My Tongue, Macbeth, and I Have A Dream.

18. ReadWriteThink: This site gives lessons, standards, and web resources for teachers and students. Current poetry specific resources include a lesson on preposition through poetry and a review of “Diamante Poems.”

19. Modern American Poetry: The syllabi section has many free resources for teachers. You can download courses, recommended readings, and even get links back to the author’s website.

20. The Poetry Teacher: Steffani Gilligan is a teacher who helps other teachers in poetry. Visit her site to get poems, reading strategies, or order her specialized book.

21. Poetry America: Scroll down to get tips on writing poetry. You can also choose from how to write limericks, sonnets, how to teach love poetry, and more.

22. Poetry Magic: Poetry guides on this site include approaches, critiquing, imagery, performing, and more. You can also get a ton of tips on publishing your works.

23. Poetry.org: Here you can learn about the history, meaning, and types of poetry, as well as common terminology. There is also the option to get term meanings by country or region.

24. Poetry Testing Kit: The Poetry Book Society offers memberships to educators who want to teach poetry. Non members can get these top tips for poetry readers by Simon Armitage including the eye test, pH test, and IQ test.

25. Poetry Teachers: If you are teaching poetry to grade school students, this is the site for you. It has tips on how to teach poetry, school poems, and even a teacher discount on their items.

Best Sites to Share Poetry Online

If you have a perfected work, or just want to read some more poetry, check out these sites for the best in online poetry sharing.

26. Every Poet: Visit the showcase to join the 3,600 other members in sharing your poetry online. There is also a forum, classic poems, and much more.

27. Poetry Poem: Visit here to join the 90,000 other poets who have posted their work here. Start your very own poetry site for free, and get or offer feedback to other poets.

28. The Other Pages: An alternative to traditional poetry sites, they have many different options for those who want to share or read poetry. There is a Poets’ Corner, UniVerse, and many other artistic choices.

29. Funny Poets: Whether you have a humorous poem or just need a good laugh, you can find poems of all sorts here. View the top ten, occasion specific poem, or read-at-your-own-risk.

30. Editor Unleashed: Maria Schneider was an editor with “Writer’s Digest” and gives prospective ones many useful tips for sharing their work. Popular posts include The 10 Best Books for Writers, The Query Letter in 3 Parts, and Writer’s Business Cards.

31. Potato Hill: This site is ideal for students or teachers who want to share their poetry. There is also a contest and monthly exercise for the classroom.

Best Sites to Publish Poetry

Go beyond online poetry sharing to get the best in publishing tips from these sites for books, contests, and more.

32. Agent Query: Need an agent to help sell your poetry? Then visit this site for a guide of agents, along with tips for how to get and choose one.

33. Query Tracker: If you use the above, get a free membership at this useful site. In addition to the database of agents, you can also organize and track your query letters.

34. Winning Writers: Why bother to research all the writing and poetry contests on the net when this site does it all for you? Just subscribe to the newsletter to get information on over 150 quality poetry contests.

35. Writing Contests: Similar to the above, this site posts several times a day on the newest in writing contests. They have info on over 500 poetry contests including entry fee and prizes.

36. Books and Tales: Visit here for a side by side comparison of print on demand publishers. There is also information on the top four publishers and a forum for those with questions.

Best Poetry Communities

Not enough poets on Facebook or Twitter? Then stop by these leading online communities for poets.

37. WeRead: Whether you love classics or popular fiction, this is a place where you can find others who share your reading tastes and discover new works that you will love. Authors and poets can create their own pages for sharing, and they even have special book clubs and quizzes.

38. All Poetry: Join this community to get free poetry classes, contests, and read the literally millions of poems. You can even start your own contest and get resources for kids.

39. Poets Forum: With a simple registration process, you can join in on this active forum just for poetry. Visitors can even read the posts with no registration, and there is no shortage of topics.

40. Speakeasy: Stop here to connect with many other writers of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. The forums also list tips for contests, sending your work out, agencies, and more.

41. Writing.com: This online community has over 700,000 members and is for writers of all kinds, including poetry. You can read a poem, join the forums, or enter a contest.

42. Neo Poet: With many live poetry related events, this community is worth a look. A free registration gives you access to the forums and streams.

43. The Poet’s Lounge: Part of the Ning community, members can make their own page, post poetry, and more. There is also a chat room and member blogs.

Best Sites to Study, Teach, and Share Poetry for Kids

Visit here for the best in poetry for younger students.

44. Giggle Poetry: This site has hundreds of poems of all kinds and for all ages on this site. You can read and rate, take the virtual poetry class, do fill-in-the-blank poems, join the theater, and much more.

45. Poetry 4 Kids: Kenn Nesbitt’s poetry playground features funny poems and poetry books for children, games, lessons, discussion forums, and lots more. There is even a rhyming dictionary for kids who are stuck and contests for those who have a completed poem.

46. The Poetry Zone: If you are between the ages of four and 18, visit here to submit your own poem, or read those of others. There is also a top ten, teacher zone, and poets talk.

47. Poetry Writing With Jack Prelutsky: A U.S. Children’s Poet Laureate, he shows kids how to write their own poem in four easy steps. There are also tons of other writing resources on the site.

48. Kristin George: An English poet, she has a special corner just for kids. Children can read or listen to poems, get fun activities, and there is also a section for teachers.

49. Funny Poems and Children’s Poetry: Robert Pottle shares funny poems and books online. Kids can also learn about poetry in two, multi-part lessons.

50. Eric Ode: Stop here for both poetry and music for kids. You can read several of his poems and even get resources just for kids or teachers.

51. That Poetry Guy!: Ted Scheu is a children’s writer and teacher. He has poems available to read or listen to, writing advice for young poets, and tips for teachers.

52. Laugh A Lot Poetry: Darren has poetry riddles, activities, and games just for kids. Be sure to check out the school visit videos if he isn’t visiting your school soon.

Best Poetry Blogs

Study, learn, and share with the best poets by checking out their blogs with tons of information on poetry.

53. Lulu Poetry Blog: An outstanding feature of this blog is the constant updates to the poetry contest winners. They even link to the winning poems and give you updates on their site.

54. Silliman’s Blog: Ron Silliman has been blogging on contemporary poetry and poetics since 2002. Entries are regularly updated, often lengthy, and tie poetry into the modern world.

55. Poetic Asides: Robert Lee Brewer is a contributor for “Writer’s Digest” and keeps this blog just for poetry. Categories include advice, interviews, challenges, publishing, and more.

56. New Pages: Stop here before purchasing a literary or poetry magazine to get an independent review. You can also get information on the alternative media, as well as links to good reading.

57. 32 Poems: The blog of a magazine of the same name, this is also the home of Deborah Ager. Recent posts include what to take to a conference, poet vs. poet, and no tell motel.

58. The Best American Poetry: This blog features a different American poem on a regular basis. Analysis and links to similar poems are also provided.

59. Poems for Free: Not technically a blog, but you can still get the newest poems from Nicholas Gordon here. He offers over two thousand poems on all sorts of occasions.

60. The Other Weblog: Stop here for an ongoing discussion of topics and poems covered on the main site. In addition to poetry, they also post on photography and quotes.

Best Media Sites to Study, Teach, and Share Poetry

These sites contain the best in television, magazines, and other print publications to help your poetry.

61. BBC-Arts-Poetry: This site gets top seating just for its audio of “The Charge of the Light Brigade” by Lord Tennyson, recorded in 1890. You can also get other readings of top poems by Seamus Heaney, W.H. Auden, and Sylvia Plath.

62. Poetry Magazine: You don’t need a subscription to learn or share poetry on this site. You can utilize the poetry tool, tour the gallery, get a reading guide, or even submit a poem of your own for publication.

63. Poets & Writers: Go from inspiration to publication with the help of this magazine that contains many tools for writers. Choose from various databases, job listings, top ten topics for writers, and more.

64. BBC Poetry Season: This leading British channel has tons of resources to discover poetry. There are television and radio specials and even poetry guides, currently with tips on how to perform poetry in public.

65. Poetry International Web: If you are a poet outside of the U.S. or U.K., this online news site for you. It contains the latest poetry from all over the world and many are available for reading, viewing, or listening.

66. Writer’s Digest: This magazine has tips and tools for writers of all kinds. Sections worth a visit include write better, get creative, and get published.

67. The Atlantic: The fiction and poetry section of this leading magazine has many resources for poets. You can both read or listen to poems, and don’t forget to check out the “So You Want to Be a Writer” section with tips from top poets.

68. The Writer’s Chronicle: Part of The Association of Writers & Writing Programs, visitors can get free articles on the craft of poetry. There is also information on contests and a directory of poetry publishers.

69. Poetry Magazines: This site gives free access site to the full-text digital library of 20th and 21st century UK poetry magazines. Titles include “Atlas,” “Dream Catcher,” “Equinox,” and more.

Best Sites for Love Poetry Online

Stop here to learn and share the best in romantic and love poetry.

70. LovePoetry: Get thousands of poems on love by classic poets, along with newer ones. Choose from categories such as quotes, reflections, and more.

71. Love Poems and Quotes: Similar to the above, you can get poems and quotes for both romantic and friendly love. You can also get romantic ideas, a wedding section, or enter their contest.

72. ILovePoems: Visit here for categories such as love poems and quotes, romantic ideas, and wedding poetry. There are even poetic greeting cards you can send over the internet.

73. Best Love Poems: This site contains original love poems by poets from all over the world. Submit your own, or view the top rated.

74. Poem of Quotes: With a special section for love poetry, you can read many original works online. There are also classic poems and even poetry for break ups.

75. Poems Lovers: This site has love letters and stories in addition to poems. There is also a poem of the week and popular love quotes.

Best Audio Sites to Study, Teach, and Share Poetry

Because poems were meant to be heard, as well as read, check out these sites with tons of poetry audio.

76. Poets.org Audio & Video: Stop here for a massive database of both audio and video including poetry readings and a free album download. Be sure to make time for Poets Reading Poets to get classic poems as read by modern poets.

77. Poem Present: Visit this University of Chicago website to get an impressive selection of reading and lectures available as a QuickTime file or MP3. Current poets include Juliana Spahr and Eliot Weinberger.

78. Lannan Foundation: The audio archives section of this site contain popular readings and conversations with many leading poets. You can also get Bookworm Interviews or listen to their newest podcast.

79. Wired for Books: Get tons of poems, literature, and more on this site available at no charge for RealPlayer. You can choose by award winners and there is even a section for children.

80. From the Fishouse: Stop here for an audio archive of emerging contemporary poets. In addition to reading their own poems, they answer questions about poetry and the writing process.

81. Funny Poetry Podcast: Intended for children, these podcasts contain poems as read by professionals. Current ones include “Don’t Ever Ask A Centipede,” “At Hamster Sam’s Rodeo,” and “Has Anyone Seen My Chameleon?”

82. Lyrikline: Stop her for poems available to listen to, or to read, in their original languages and various translations. You can choose by author or language, or get the site itself in five different languages.

83. Poetry Unplugged: Now ten years old, this is London’s Premier Poetry open mic. You can listen to their latest episode or stop by the specialty shows such as Exiled Writers and The Cellar.

84. UBUWEB Sound: This site encompasses all types of sound including art, historical, and contemporary. You can get pioneers such as Guillaume Apollinaire reading his “Calligrammes” in 1913, or listen to current practitioners such as Vito Acconci or Kristin Oppenheim.

Best Podcasts to Study, Teach, and Share Poetry

Experts review their own poetry, along with the works of others, and more on these poem podcasts.

85. The Poetry Foundation: Choose from several impressive podcasts on this site. Shows include Poem of the Day, Poetry Radio Project, Essential American Poets, Poetry Lectures, and more.

86. PennSound: The University of Pennsylvania runs this site with audio poems, podcasts, and more. They even have a top ten resources with their leading poets.

87. Poem Talk: Sponsored by various poetry supporters, this podcast has 20 episodes and counting. Poems are featured, read, and discussed.

88. Poetry Please: Roger McGough of the BBC presents a weekly selection of favorite poetry requested by listeners. Recent episodes are on Tennyson and 30 years of the people’s poetry.

89. Slate Poetry Podcast: Get a weekly podcast on poetry from this popular online news source. Current episodes feature Joseph J. Capista, Erica Ehrenberg, and Robert Pinsky.

90. The Poetic Voice: Houghton Mifflin offers poetry lovers an opportunity to hear celebrated poets reading and talking about their work. Choose from Donald Hall, David Tucker, and others.

Best Specialty Sites to Study, Teach, and Share Poetry

These sites contain a specific genre or audience in poetry.

91. Speaking Volumes: This initiative aims to bring the enjoyment of reading to people with a visual impairment. Located in the Yorkshire and Humber regions of the United Kingdom, you can join a group or even listen to one online.

92. Mr. Africa Poetry Lounge: Give this site a visit for the best and latest in African American poetry. Choose from the newest poems, famous writers, and even a section just for ladies.

93. The Southbank Centre: Stop here for a virtual poem creator with a drag and drop feature. You can also get information on competitions and book publishers.

94. Favorite Poem Project: What started out as a project to select a favorite poem has exploded into one that has thousands of poetry lovers reading their favorites. You can watch the videos, purchase the DVD, or get resources for teachers.

95. Writers Online Workshops: Try one of the two workshops just for poets risk free. There are also other courses for writers of various levels.

96. The Haiku Society of America: Get information on this unique form of poetry with collections, a newsletter, and frogpond. You can also stop by the collections area to get links to award winning haikus.

97. Free Poetry eBooks: If you still haven’t read enough poems, stop here for hundreds of free, downloadable poetry books. There is also a top download section if you need help choosing something.

98. Rhyme Zone: Simply type in the word and enter to get rhymes. You can also get other tools such as Shakespeare, famous quotes, and more.

99. The Quotations Page: Search the database of over 26,000 famous figures to get a timeless quote. In addition to poets, you can also get such notable people as Aristotle, Benjamin Franklin, and Mark Twain.

100. Greeting Card Poems: Get short, concise poems by visiting this site. Categories include baby, birthday, Christmas, get well, and others.

Regardless of age, gender, or poetry level, visitors can find all they need to know from these 100 sites to study, teach, and share poetry online. Also useful if you need help publishing, expert feedback, or just a few poet friends.

The words may be used interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference between education and learning. We often use the former to refer to what schools and colleges provide us as we make the transition from child to adult; the quantity of education is measured in terms of the number of degrees you have and the quality, by the schools and institutions you attended and the grades you scored. Learning on the other hand, is a process that continues long after we’ve left the portals of university, and throughout the journey we call life.

A learned person need not be well educated – life teaches a host of lessons that are not on the curricula of any renowned institution. Knowledge is not measured in terms of the degrees we have; in fact, it’s a quality that’s not quantifiable. While an education does provide us with the opportunity to learn, it’s not everyone who uses this opportunity to their advantage. And you’ll find that the ones that do are the ones who are most likely to make learning a continuous, lifelong process.

So how does one go about making the effort to sustain the process of learning even as we are beset by the demands of daily life? Family, work and leisure not withstanding, must you pursue an education to be considered a continuous learner? No, not at all – I reiterate what I said at the beginning of this post, that learning and education are not two sides of the same coin; each in fact, is a whole coin in its own right.

1. Continuous learning means we are aware of the things that go on around us and learn lessons, not just from our mistakes, but from the errors of those around us too.
2. It’s a process where we strive to improve ourselves each day of our lives instead of stagnating like a pool of water that serves only to breed flies.
3. Learning involves being open to new experiences and gaining valuable lessons from these experiences.
4. It means applying the skills and lessons you have learned to every aspect of your life.
5. It means being willing to push yourself to new limits, to improve yourself, both at work and in your personal life.
6. Continuous learning involves having a vision of who you are and what you want to become.
7. It means taking an active role in life and not just being happy to be an innocent bystander and watch it go by.
8. When you’re a learner, you must be ready to accept feedback about your actions, and based on these, improve yourself further.
9. It involves change as a constant companion throughout life, and the willingness to accept these changes.

In a nutshell, continuous learning is a process that is a way of life rather than a one off event that we pass by as we grow old.

Written By: Caroline Ross

The jury is still out on this one – are children who use computers more likely to excel at subjects like mathematics than their counterparts who are not adept in moving the mouse? While some studies claim that they are, others disprove the notion as one from the realms of manmade fantasy. The issue can be argued until we’re blue in the face with no hope of ever reaching an amicable answer that is acceptable to all.

Rather than fight out a hypothetical question, it makes more sense to familiarize children with these machines and make them a part of their growing up process, because, if there’s one certainty, it’s that computers are here to stay. They’re getting smaller, more powerful and more efficient by the day, and combined with the Internet, provide a potent tool of learning that can turn out to be a double-edged sword if parents are not careful.

Education and learning are relative aspects, and the Internet has opened up a vast avenue of sources for children to gain knowledge. They are no longer dependant on the tools of yesteryear like the dictionary, atlas and thesaurus. Any bit of information is now available at the click of a mouse. Educational games are the rage these days, with children picking up general knowledge and trivia about their country and other parts of the world by developing their playing skills. Sites that offer academic help in the form of assignments and tutorial help are also a blessing for those unable to cope at school and parents who are too busy to help.

But there’s a downside to these advantages that can turn downright detrimental to the development of your child if parents are not careful. The Internet offers knowledge not just about things that are suitable for a child, but about other aspects that a child has no business being aware of. With pedophiles lurking around, hidden by the anonymity that the web offers, with hackers waiting to pounce on your personal details and use it to gain access to your credit cards and bank accounts, with malware writers ready to unleash viruses and worms to steal your data, children’s computer usage must be monitored until they reach an age where they can be made aware of the dangers and the risk that the Internet poses.

Computer games, for all their benefits, do tend to be addictive. Children need to play outdoors and involve themselves in other social activities rather than just hole up in their rooms and stare at their computer screens all the time. And online tutors, even if they don’t prove too costly, tend to make your child lazy and unwilling to work on his/her own when there’s a readymade source for homework and assignments.

Education is all about advancing oneself, and if used wisely, the computer is a tool that aids this advancement in the best way possible.