Keeping Current with Technology

Without fail, when talking with colleagues at conferences and networking events, one of the most common questions asked is how each of us keeps current in the field. With the plethora of information resources available these days, there is certainly no shortage of information on learning technologies, educational technologies, and instructional technologies (and believe it or not, each of these has a different meaning).

So how do those of us at RHCHP Learning Technologies stay current? Each of us seems to have a different method. Some use Delicious, a social bookmarking site that provides a way of sharing bookmarks with others. A promising site is placed on the Delicious site, making it available to anyone.

Others use RSS feeds. When a worthwhile site is found, they find the URL of the feed (look for the RSS feed logo). The RSS URL is then added to a feeder page. Voila! Any new content from the site is then captured and sent to the page. I use My Yahoo as a home page. My portal contains feeds to news, sports, weather, computer news, family blogs, and various technology sites. Personal favorites include the Chronicle’s Wired Campus, Mashable, Lifehacker, Gizmodo, and CNET News.  

I also have a number of ed tech resources that are followed in the same way. Some of my personal favorites include a couple of compilations by Ray Schroeder: Educational Technology is a listing of links to selected news; Online Learning Update contains links to the latest in online learning news. I also have a feed set up through ProQuest at the Alvin Sherman Library at Nova Southeastern University. ProQuest sends any new research articles based on search criteria, in this case using the terms “instructional” and “technology”.

GPS-Don't leave home without one!

The field of technology changes incredibly fast. A technology that is cutting edge one minute becomes an also-ran in the next. Take GPS systems. Just a few short years ago GPS systems were fascinating toys for the tech savvy and VERY well-to-do. Today, GPS systems are one of those ubiquitous technologies that are built into automobile dashboards and cell phones. Rental car companies hawk them as an expensive add-on to rental contracts. And electronics stores such as Best Buy have entire sections dedicated to GPS units with varying levels of functionality. Some even display images and play mp3s while talking you to your destination. I couldn't find my way around Denver without one, and it’s certainly helpful when the urge for a Subway strikes in an unfamiliar part of the city.

But you can’t remain current with the latest and greatest if time isn’t allowed to read, review, examine, and play. What good are resources if time isn’t made to investigate what's available? Making time to keep current in the field is essential for maintaining an understanding of the current climate of technologies and the significant overlaps they have with learning and student success. All too often we get caught up in the daily activities and put off precisely the activity we need to maintain a fresh perspective on what we do. I allow the last hour of each work day to browse the latest news and information and make mental notes to investigate particular items of interest. It's one of the best ways I know for keeping pace with an ever-changing landscape of trends and information.



Happy holidays from Learning Technologies. 








 Smiling Santa Hat Dog courtesy of CALS Career Services, NC State University, December 16, 2010, Creative Commons License