One of our core beliefs here is that those with a vested interest in how technology will affect education (for the better or for the worse) is to look not at the education/instructional technology or corporate/enterprise technology sectors, but rather directly at the consumer technology field. This is how you’ll learn about the gadgets, games, and websites your students and teachers are using and playing when they’re not in a classroom. There are tons of blogs devoted to these issues–we link to many of them daily–but I wanted to highlight five I’ve found to be reliable and professional.
1. Mashable
A steady go-to whenever we need links to what’s new in social media, Mashable has provided great coverage for Web 2.0 and associated technologies for almost ten years. Mashable is also responsible for the Twitter Guidebook, the Facebook Guidebook, and an ongoing how-to series to get the most out of these and other technologies.
2. Ars Technica
Ars Technica, now a property of Condé Nast Digital, provides news on a wide range of technology-related interests. Ars Technica goes beyond the paragraph blurb about a new product you might see in other blogs–authors there take time to analyze trends and put new products through the ringer. They also have top-notch coverage on the effects of political and legal matters on the world of technology.
3. Wired Gadget Lab
Want to get your hands on all the newest gadgets and gear? I can’t help you there, but if you follow Wired’s Gadget Lab you can at least play with all the new toys vicariously. Current hot topics include e-readers, tablets, and mobile devices, with extra coverage on really hot items like the Apple iPad.
4. ReadWriteWeb
ReadWriteWeb covers many of the same topics as blogs like Mashable and Ars Technica, though often with a slightly different spin that’s not necessarily negative, but maybe provocative in how things sometimes get phrased in their commentary. I don’t always agree with their take on things, but ReadWriteWeb is still a good addition to your feed reader.
5. WebWorkerDaily
Even if you’re not a “web worker,” or someone who takes advantage of cloud computing to work wherever and (sometimes) whenever you want, WebWorkerDaily has lots of great tips for making your computer and the Internet productivity boosters. If you’re wondering how social technology tools might be put to practical uses, peruse WebWorkerDaily on an, uh, daily basis.
Note that these blogs don’t (usually) point out educational merits of new technologies. That’s our job, as education technologists, right? These should also serve as good reference points for other blogs you might enjoy. One nice thing about blogs is you can add them to your favorite RSS reader and watch them for awhile. If you get tired of them, just unsubscribe and move on. (Please don’t unsubscribe from the Stratepedia Blog, though!)
Have a great weekend!
Photo: stevegarfield on Flickr
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Tags: blogging, education, technology
