@Brett: I read your comment in the early morning and had (as it is evening now) some hours to think about it. Actually there are two different lines of thought I would like to share with you (and other readers):
(1) Your example of the gardening does not work for me with regard to tools. It rather works for me with regard to the content of the course. There I have a choice to have a look at certain topics, to try out if they “fit” for me (for example I do not like using mobile phones so mlearning is not my “strong” interest”). As to the tools I use for connecting with other participants/sharing thoughts I feel that I do not have an idea of what exists. It is not to discuss in depth technical questions but (and this is one of my goals for this course) to “encounter” and – if attractive – “try out” tools I have not seen/tried out before.
(2) It is great that you do not need such a list and that you found a way for yourself to work things out on your own. I do see this point differently (as outlined above – though I do not think that the Ebook will contain any such list). However – as a MOOC is about choice and abundance – would it disturb you if such a list would be included?