Keeping on Top of the Tech World

Keeping abreast of the blink-and-it’s-obsolete world of technology can be tough, so busy teachers may find it particularly challenging. With this in mind, EducationWorld has compiled the following list of resources for helping keep track of new developments. This is more than just a list of Web sites to check, because we know that staying one step ahead requires a comprehensive approach.

Apps

If you are an educator who is “plugged in” enough to own a smartphone or tablet, apps can be a tremendous way to keep on top of the tech industry. They are reliable and always at arm’s length. The only question becomes which are the best for tech coverage. We suggest the following:

iGIZMO
Download, kick back and enjoy the latest gadget-packed issue of the digital magazine iGIZMO, which offers a look at heavyweight Microsoft and Google tablets that are trying to overtake the iPad. This publication offers everything from reviews to news spanning every industry that might involve tech. In the same issue, you can get an in-depth look at the new tablet from Google, along with a review of the on-board tech in the 2012 line of Range Rovers.

BBC News
This app provides the latest, breaking news from the BBC and its global network of journalists. Included in the app is a robust tech section. While many American news agencies tend to understandably focus on stateside tech news, the BBC offers a global look at this industry. Users can read about the latest Apple gadget and how India is becoming a burgeoning market for app developers.

Television Shows

Despite the glut of programming available today, there are not a lot of shows dedicated to covering technology from a news standpoint. Those that do exist are mostly fluff, but that doesn’t mean that your DVR should be devoid of tech-related shows. In fact, there is exactly one show that should be on your radar:

Attack of the Show
Since premiering on the G4 cable network in 2005, ATOS has been a reliable source for tech news with more than a smattering of snarky humor. This show definitely skews young, but once you get past witty repartee and over-the-top graphics, you’ll find a trove of up-to-the-minute tech news. Everything from gadgets to software is covered, along with a healthy dose of gaming.

Web Sites

The go-to source for news and entertainment in 2012, the Internet is chock-full of tech-based content. Getting to the good stuff takes a trained eye and a keen sense of news quality. Fortunately, there is more than one site out there doing good work, most notably:

CNet
This is the 900-pound gorilla in the tech industry. CNet is home to breaking news and a stable of Web-based shows all focusing on various aspects of technology. Product reviews are unbiased, news is balanced and shows are expertly produced. We’ve touted this site before, but only because it should be a first stop for anyone attempting to follow the world of tech.

ZDNet
ZDNet brings together the reach of global and the depth of local, delivering 24/7 news coverage and analysis on the trends, technologies and opportunities in the tech industry. This site can skew a bit toward those with pre-existing industry knowledge, but even novices will find it useful. ZDNet also offers newsletters, making content consumption even easier.

Article by Jason Tomaszewski, EducationWorld Associate Editor
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