Here are some school-related stories from Tech & Learning magazine. They may be useful for integrating technology into the classroom, providing guidelines with how to use the technology, and more.
For more information, visit the Tech & Learning home page, or find them on Facebook or Twitter.
There has been some recent discussion on Libnet about Web 2.0, how to keep up, reading what blogs, who has time, what are libraries allowing/blocking etc. It is hard to keep current with the acceleration of new technologies. I use Bloglines and subscribe to about 45 RSS feeds. I rarely get to them all but about once a month, I skim through everything. About ever couple days (I’d like it to be daily but…) I read my top blogs. I love technology applications so most of them are “tech/web 2.0″ related, but there are library grant blogs, teen programing blogs and lots more too. I also subscribe to vodcasts and podcasts via blogines.
One of my top blogs is The Librarian in Black (by Sarah Houghton-Jan) http://librarianinblack.typepad.com/
I try to read this blog if no other becasuse Sarah’s blog serves as a one-stop-shop for keeping up with technology without having to read dozens of websites, blogs, & RSS feeds related to web 2.0, web design, technology news, library world news, reference stuff, funky gadgets, and other amusing news/sites/posts. She keeps up with reading tons of other blogs and creates posts about what she finds; whats new. I can find out about a cool projects/ideas (Such as IM & Security:How to talk to IT; New blog Friends: Social Networking Sites for Engaged Library Services; sarah’s post of A few good presentations to take a look at), good blog posts by another(such as Top 10 Library 2.0 “no brainers” for Public Librarians; How to Allow for Change in Your Library, Tech for Small Libraries) or fun new free online tools (such as Firedoodle – turn web into whiteboard; Cool Tools for Webmasters; and 3 Sites Worth Checking Out)
On the con side, I have seen inaccurate reporting in blogs – we need to remember blogs are still someone’s opinion, not reviewed, and their interpretation of what they read/see. An example on Sarah’s blogs deals with her interpretation of the upcoming Collaborative Virtual Reference Symposium in Denver and several comments explaining the true purpose of the event.
Conclusion – always remember to evaluate the information you read or yourself!
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