I know we’re only three shopping days away from the holiday season (maybe even two in some parts), but let’s face it…everyone loves getting a package in the mail, so if it’s late…who cares?! Here are some of my very favourite items for e-learning developers and to make freelancing a lot easier:<\/p>\n
Wacom Bamboo Splash Pen Tablet<\/a> – I have one of these at the office, and I’m vowing to use it A LOT more in 2015.<\/p>\n I plan to use the Wacom tablet with The Doodle Revolution: Unlock the Power to Think Differently<\/a>, which I’ve been slowly working through since the summer.<\/p>\n Another great book that you’ve heard me raving about in my posts for the last few months is How We Learn: The Truth About When, Where, and Why it Happens<\/a>. I LOVE this book. Any and all learning professional should have it an read it and use it as a mantra!<\/p>\n All good freelancers\/consultants\/independent contractors need a good Project Management Program. I’ve been using, and loving PancakeApp<\/a>. I’ve also had the opportunity to use RedBooth<\/a> this year and would recommend gifting either of these to a freelancer in your life (PancakeApp is a one time fee and RedBooth is subscription-based). Most often, creative professionals think more about their creative endeavours and less about their business acumen…which ultimately turns into chaos come tax time…make their lives easier!<\/p>\n To make e-learning reviews streamlined and standardized (which all e-learning professionals would truly appreciate), a subscription to Review My eLearning<\/a> is a great option! I recommend the Medium subscription, which should do the trick for most folk.<\/p>\n Storyline 2<\/a> – This might be a bit of a splurge for the holiday season, but it’s definitely well worth the cost; especially if your favourite e-learning developer has been lamenting the impending end of their 30-day free trial. As an independent consultant, this purchase pays for itself in about a week.<\/p>\n A second computer monitor<\/a> – this is ALWAYS welcomed for folks that tend to toggle between multiple programs\/documents, as are: external hard drives<\/a>, flash drives<\/a>, \u00a0and noise-cancelling headphones<\/a>!<\/p>\n For Mac OS users – Parallels<\/a>, Dongles<\/a>, or\u00a0AirPort Time Capsule<\/a> (LIFE SAVER).<\/p>\n