OpenScout

Tool Library The OpenScout Tool Library allows you to find useful software to adapt or modify resources to suit your needs.

How to work with the Tool Library?

Why you should use the OpenScout Tool Library?

“I've found all this great material! But how can I reuse it? The formats aren't the same as those required by my company and I'll need to change some of the example graphs to use information that's more relevant for this target group. John from the European branch will also want to have some input into the structure of the training module and I'd like Anne to help too. I wonder if the level of understanding for our recruits is similar to the course material for first year university students – has anyone else tried using this type of resource?”

Have you ever found yourself feeling slightly overwhelmed by the amount of open educational resources available and ended up defaulting to creating your own content rather than deal with the issues around reuse? Perhaps you've found it hard to find useful software to adapt or modify resources to suit your needs. What you need is suggestions for tools or services that others in your situation have found helpful but the people around you haven't been able to help.

You could think of the OpenScout Tool Library like a TripAdvisor for learning material adaptation. Its aim is to help connect content, tools (e.g., software), people and their stories so you can find suggestions, recommendations and advice on how to reuse or repurpose open educational resources that you find in the OpenScout portal. The Tool Library can help in a number of different ways as you can see from the screenshot below, which illustrates part of the dashboard.

1.  You can search or browse the list of tools, organised by categories such as adaptation, translation, collaboration, communication, accessibility, educational games etc. and read the comments and ratings given by others. Or find a list of tools most recommended by your peers or a list of tools that are useful for a specific piece of content based on the license or format.
2. You can search or browse the stories (scenarios) that others have entered talking about their experiences in adapting learning material. You may find someone else has faced the same situation and their suggestions can save you valuable time and money. OpenScout can also show scenarios that could be useful as you're looking at content.
3. Participating in peer discussions through interest groups can help you make decisions about reuse or to learn more about how open educational resources can be adapted for your organisation.

You can browse the tools currently in the tool library – and add some new ones! – at http://www.openscout.net/tool-library