Zotero – web 2.0 Productivity/Organization Tool

Name of the Tool:
Zotero

URL of the Tool:
www.zotero.org

Please select the one, primary category for this tool:
Productivity/Organization Tool

Please describe this tool in your own words in about 250 words:

Zotero is a Mozilla-Firefox add-on that allows you to store, cite, and manage articles in one place. In its latest release (v.2.0.3) users can create an account an access their stored files from any computer.

What do you need to know before using this tool?:
There is no prerequisite knowledge necessary to use this tool.

What do you need to have before using this tool? (Resources):

There are no required resources necessary to use this tool

How do you use this tool? (Write the basic steps using a numbered list):

Please create an example with this tool and either embed in your blog or submit the URL:

An example of Zotero is included in the above screencast.

Please describe a scenario of how you might use this tool in a teaching environment (about 500 words):

One of Zotero's greatest benefits is the ability to store articles and access them from any computer. This "green" benefit not only contains an environmental benefit but also assists the user in storing data without losing it due to it being printed and lost.

Research instructors and those instructors working with students doing research can have students compile and manage their research using Zotero. Because Zotero is online and the file are accessible from any computer, students can constantly add, revise, annotate and cite their literature.

Zotero can also be used to introduce the enhance an instructors delivery of content regarding the basics of research. Secondary students can learn this valuable skill as well as developing their organizational skills by using Zotero.

What are the advantages of using this tool in a teaching environment?:

For the user, Zotero allows the ability to collect data and literature in one place without wasting paper. It also allows for citations to be made and annotated bibliographies to be done all online and stored in one place. For Master's and Doctoral students (even undergraduates doing research) this is a powerful and free tool.

What are the disadvantages of using this tool in a teaching environment?:
As Zotero is primarily for the user, it is hard for the educator to use Zotero as a grading tool or as a means of giving feedback unless time is given for the student and teacher to meet and the student grants the teacher permission to view his/her Zotero storage for feedback.

Videos to help you get started with Zotero