Research, Education & Technology

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Design Thinking for Educators

In December, I was inspired by the video "How Design Thinking Can Empower Young People" created by People Serving People and discussed on Edutopia.

Today, I discovered another online resource that covers Design Thinking for Educators that includes a toolkit and interesting examples in application and practice. It reminds us that design in this way is used for problem-solving approaches that centre on cognitive or "thinking" processes related to design. (As an aside, I wish there was a better wikipedia definition of design thinking available! Maybe that's our next collective task...).

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

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?

Thursday, January 24, 2013

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/

Thursday, January 3, 2013

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.

Monday, September 10, 2012

Old materials, new digital tech spark evolution of "open source"

I love how this short video shows the evolution of "open source" to involve old antique materials (with unique physical/material qualities) and new digital technologies. Also: I want one!

Monday, January 30, 2012

"Slow" Jams on Social Media

I like this post about "Slow Social Media" -- I've been meaning to try This Is My Jam, and perhaps now I have good motivation. I won't give away the ending, but the three lessons are interesting.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Social Media Writing

After a great course this past weekend, I'm really excited to be teaching another class on Social Media Writing for the Faculty of Extension tomorrow. Again, here are a few great resources I've found on the topic, including some additional links on writing tips -- if you have any suggested resources to add to this list, please let me know!

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 & Functions

Pearson, M. (2011, Dec 29). How the social media conversation will change in 2012. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-marketing/advertising/how-the-social-media-conversation-will-change-in-2012/article2285329/