How do you keep up with EdTech?

[Richard Clemens]

I am increasingly aware that I cannot keep up with the vast amount of changes that are happening in educational technology. Where do you go to get updates on things that are happening? I would be interested in knowing sites/feeds that you find helpful.

[Dr. Maggie Kyger]

Sorry I don't have a picture to share - One question I have if I use this for alumni - is it password protected? I'm always concerned if they share info/stories about their teaching that we don't breech confidentiality

[Richard Clemens]

Maggie,
Ning is a site that you can set up your own network and manage the settings for your own space. (The free option that I am using has Google Ads on the right side - if you pay a subscription fee then no ads) Managing your own space allows you to set options for privacy. You can try this out since you already joined Ning and have a "go" at setting up your own network.

Now my regular caveat is that anything online is not necessarily secure (even with passwords like Bb). I doubt that people would try to "hack" into your network (if/when you set it up) but you would probably set your network to "private" and then invite only those individuals you want to join the space.

I am new to this so anyone else can add something to this question ...

[Pavel Zemliansky]

In response to your question about ways of keeping up to date, for me i is usually rss feeds of blogs and a couple of listservs i occasionally read. Although RSS feeds are better for me, listservs just seem to invade my mailbox. Plus, of course, there are always conferences and "word of mouth." So, to sum up, I guess I get my update from my large social network.
Pavel.

[Richard Clemens]

Pavel,
I was wondering about the tools you use to keep up with your "large social network". I use Netvibes for my RSS news feeds and that seems to be working OK for me. I know that other students in my class are using Google's tools (iGoogle - Reader, etc.) to keep up with RSS feeds. How do you manage these tasks?
- Rich

[Pavel Zemliansky]

Richard,

I use Firefox for RSS feeds (live bookmarks) and I also have the iGoogle thing-y which delivers several news sources to my home page, which is Google. I typically get feeds from blogs (Kairosnews, Slashdot, Wired, Blogging Pedagogy, and a couple others). Listservs are my least favorite because they are not very well laid out and are hard to read usually.

I hope this helps.
Pavel