What are "Emerging Educational Technologies"?

I'm currently writing a book chapter on problems of evidence-based decision-making regarding emerging educational technologies, with Mount Royal University's Digital Initiatives Librarian, Richard Hayman, for publication in 2014.

We've found a few definitions and discussions of Emerging Technologies in higher education, including Edna F. Einsiedel's (2009) book on Emerging Technologies: From Hindsight to Foresight. We've also explored George Veletsianos' book, Emerging Technologies in Distance Education. And, of course, there is the well-known Horizon Report's discussion of emerging ed tech and trend forecasting. We're interested in finding recent (esp. academic) discussions of emerging technologies and convergence in higher education settings, specifically.

How do you define emerging educational technologies? Any recommended (academic) sources discussing emerging educational technologies? And, what problems of evidence do you encounter with emerging educational technologies?

Trends in Social Media Resources

I'm excited to be teaching another Trends in Social Media Writing course for the University of Alberta's Faculty of Extension this weekend! Using blogs as a focus example, below I've compiled what I think are great resources on the topic, including some additional links on writing tips -- if you have any suggested resources to add to this list, I'd love to hear them!

Introduction to Social Media

• Clay, R. (2008, May 15). 5 reasons your business needs a blog.  Fast Company. Retrieved from http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/randa-clay/intelligent-design-crm-www/5-reasons-your-business-needs-blog
• Common Craft. (2007, November 30). Blogs in plain English [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.commoncraft.com/blogs
• Common Craft. (2008, May 28). Social media in plain English. [Video file]. Retrieved from http://commoncraft.com/socialmedia

Basic Web 2.0 Features and Functions

• Kerpen, D. (2011). Likeable social media: How to delight your customers, create an irresistible brand. New York: McGraw-Hill.
• Goldman, J. (2013). Going Social: Excite customers, generate buzz, and energize your brand with the power of social media. New York: American Management Association. 
• Holmes, R. (2012, November 29). The can't-miss social media trends for 2013. Retrieved from http://www.fastcompany.com/3003473/cant-miss-social-media-trends-2013 
• Simply Zesty. (2013, January 2). The trends that will shape social media in 2013. Retrieved from http://www.simplyzesty.com/social-media/the-trends-that-will-shape-social-media-in-2013/  

Effectively Using Social Media Technologies

• Bellamkonda, S. (2010, July 6). How to blog effectively to market your small business. Small Business Trends. Retrieved from http://smallbiztrends.com/2010/07/how-to-blog-effectively-to-market-your-small-business.html
• Brooks, R. (2009, Aug 20). 25 ways to promote and market your blog. Fast Company. Retrieved from http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/rich-brooks/social-media-strategies-small-business/25-ways-promote-and-market-your-blog 
• Brooks, R. (2010, May 10). A blog won’t help your business. Fast Company. Retrieved from http://www.fastcompany.com/1650142/a-blog-wont-help-your-business 
• Pearson, M. (2011, Dec 22). Self-serving content will only drive fans away. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-marketing/advertising/self-serving-content-will-only-drive-fans-away/article2279507/

Promotional Writing and Ad Strategies

• Ball, R. (n.d.). 11 tips for Ad Word success. Retrieved from http://www.apogee-web-consulting.com/sem_articles/google-adwords-tips.html 
• Boag, P. (2010, January 4). Stop using stock photography clichés. Retrieved from http://boagworld.com/design/stock-photography/  
• Dixon, G. (2011, Nov 11). Ashton Kutcher: Dude, Where’s my editor?! The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/ashton-kutcher-dude-wheres-my-editor/article2232666/ 
• Nielsen, J. (1997, October 1). How users read on the web. Retrieved from http://www.useit.com/alertbox/9710a.html 
• Oliveira, M. (2013, January 16). Do Justin Bieber and Stephen Harper rely on ghost-tweeters? The Star. Retrieved from http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1315867--do-justin-bieber-and-stephen-harper-rely-on-ghost-tweeters

Technology How-To

• Google. (n.d.). Blogger getting started guide. Retrieved from http://support.google.com/blogger/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1623800
• Google. (n.d.). Blogger help. Retrieved from http://www.google.com/support/blogger/?hl=en
• Gunelius, S. (2010, July 5). How to use your business blog to get people talking about your brand. The Business Insider. Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-use-your-business-blog-to-get-people-talking-about-your-brand-2010-7 
• Steinberg, S. (2010, May 3). 10 ways for your business to make headlines. The Business Insider. Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com/10-ways-for-your-business-to-make-headlines-2010-5

Evaluating Your Strategies

• Brooks, R. (2009, Aug 20). 25 ways to promote and market your blog. Fast Company. Retrieved from http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/rich-brooks/social-media-strategies-small-business/25-ways-promote-and-market-your-blog
• Cowgill, D. (2009, January 29). How to install Google Analytics on Blogger [Web log posting]. Retrieved from http://www.eblogtemplates.com/how-to-install-google-analytics-on-blogger/
• Carr, N. (2006, July 18). Lessons in corporate blogging. Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved from http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jul2006/tc20060718_932217.htm
• Madia, S.A. (2010, August 16). Five social media land mines companies must avoid. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from http://m.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/grow/customer-experience/five-social-media-land-mines-companies-must-avoid/article1674300/?service=mobile  
  
• Reuters. (2011, July 26). Aussie swimmer warns athletes over social media ‘monster’. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/digital-culture/social-networking/aussie-swimmer-warns-athletes-over-social-media-monster/article2109845/

Interview with Social Media Guru Andrew Symes (Part I)

I'm looking forward to teaching my Trends in Social Media Writing (for Business and Non-Profits) course again this January at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Extension.

A few months ago, I had a chance to connect with Ottawa-based Marketing Communications Consultant, Andrew Symes, about his exciting experience inside a NASA tweet-up. Andrew shares interesting insights into social media in this part 1 excerpt of the interview. Enjoy!
Interview with Andrew Symes Part I from E Smith on Vimeo.