The 2015 Dean’s List: EdTech’s Must-Read Higher Ed IT Blogs
For four years running, EdTech has picked some of the most influential blogs in higher education for our Top 50 IT Blogs list.
This year's entries are a mix of veterans from years past, fresh picks by our editorial staff and nominations from readers.
One of our goals for this year's list was to highlight up-and-coming blogs across a wide range of educators and experts. From technically oriented professors to CIOs at large universities and the IT teams managing the networks, you'll discover many personalities to learn from.
If you'd like to check out the Must-Read IT Blogs from previous years, view our lists from 2014, 2013 and 2012 .
Did your blog make our list this year? Be sure to grab a Must-Read IT Blog badge and embed your blog or Twitter account with an award for this momentous achievement! You can also bookmark this list as a launchpad for exploring new content on these blogs as they amass more great posts throughout the year.
21st Century EdTech
This year, educational technology guru and speaker Michael Gorman led a prolific eight-part series covering more than 70 STEM classroom resources. Along with his STEM tips, Gorman also highlights the effectiveness of project-based learning. All of his posts focus on methods to bring education into the 21st century.
Follow: @MJGormans | Read the blog: 21centuryedtech.wordpress.com
300 Words / 2 Minutes
David J. Hinson has taken his experience as a mobile platform developer and former higher ed CIO and spun it into a blog on leadership in the digital age. His blog posts double as a podcast thanks to the inclusion of video clips, making them great for on-the-go listening.
Follow: @DavidJHinson | Read the blog: 300words2minutes.wordpress.com
Academic Computing
With all of the ways that students have to learn programming, what does a modern coding education look like, and what are the challenges? That's what Academic Computing is all about — a blog from Neil Brown, a computing education researcher at the University of Kent, in the United Kingdom.
Follow: @NeilCCBrown | Read the blog: academiccomputing.wordpress.com
Alan Levine Barks Here
Alan Levine launched his first website in 1993 while working for Maricopa Community College in Arizona. In the last 20 years, he has served as the vice president of community and the CTO at the New Media Consortium and has written thousands of blog posts — 400 in 2012 alone — on web development and disruptive.
Follow: @CogDog | Read the blog: cogdogblog.com
CAT Food
For more than seven years, technology staff members at Xavier University of Louisiana have sounded off on the comings and goings of education technology. The team even regularly hosts a podcast on the subject.
Follow: @xulaindex | Read the blog: cat.xula.edu/food
Computing Education Blog
Explore the evolving landscape of computing education in this blog from Mark Guzdial, a professor in the School of Interactive Computing at the Georgia Institute of Technology. As a researcher in computing education, Guzdial examines the pedagogy and technology involved in today's computer science courses.
Follow: @GuzDial | Read the blog: computinged.wordpress.com
Daily Edventures
A blog published by Anthony Salcito, vice president of education at Microsoft. It’s designed to inspire educators around the world, and it delivers. The blog breaks down technology and policy in classrooms around the world, ponders ways to make education more accessible and encourages readers to submit the names of educators who have been inspirational.
Follow: @AnthonySalcito | Read the blog: dailyedventures.com
Doug — Off the Record
Doug Peterson's blog skims the daily content on social media for the choicest ed-tech updates and then lends his perspective. A computer science instructor at the University of Windsor, Peterson always has a fresh take on the latest trends.
Follow: @DougPete | Read the blog: dougpete.wordpress.com
Ecology of Education
A blog managed by Jason Flom, carrying the voices of several authors across the spectrum of higher education. The Econlogy of Education isn't always focused on technology, but it explores important education issues with each entry, creating a cohesive hub for educators to keep their eyes on the dial of change.
Follow: @Eco_of_Ed | Read the blog: ecologyofeducation.net
Edtech Curmudgeon
True to its name, Michael Berman's blog takes a skeptic's view on technology encroaching into the classroom. His blog's philosophy: "What's wrong - and right - about the use of technology in education."
Follow: @amichaelberman | Read the blog: edtechcurmudgeon.com
EdTechWomen
By fostering authentic connections across sub-industries and leveraging women's unique influence in the field as educators, consumers, and decision makers, EdTechWomen aims to accelerate the positive impact of education technology on learners everywhere.
Follow: @EdTechWomen | Read the blog: edtechwomen.com
Education Insider
Hungry for some STEM news? Here's a blog from the It's About Time organization, a global leader in research-based science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) studies for K–12 and college students.
Follow: @ItsAboutTimeEDU | Read the blog: blog.iat.com
EDUCAUSE
EDUCAUSE is the foremost authority on higher education IT. This nonprofit association drives real change, connects IT professionals around the country and hosts one of the best higher education conferences of the year. Their staff blogs frequently on everything from pedagogy to cybersecurity.
Follow: @educause | Read the blog: educause.edu/blogs
Edukwest
This is more than just a blog. The team, led by Kirsten Winkler, hosts three podcasts: EDUKWEST, review:ed and KICKSTART:ED. The shows cover education technology, startups and gadgets and can be downloaded on iTunes or viewed from their extensive library of YouTube videos.
Follow: @edukwest | Read the blog: edukwest.com
eLearnSpace
The blog from George Siemens, a Canadian higher ed researcher absorbed by the potential for technology in education, is not to be missed by those looking for a pool of knowledge. Siemens’ prolific blog has roots more than a decade old, covering every space of the higher ed technology sector.
Follow: @gsiemens | Read the blog: elearnspace.org/blog
eLiterate
This is a blog managed by Michael Feldstein and written by authors handpicked from the ed-tech field. Posts come at a regular clip on e-Literate and tackle the challenges facing the industry, often reminding readers of alternative perspectives.
Follow: @mfeldstein67 | Read the blog: mfeldstein.com
Embedded in Academia
Shopping for a higher education perspective on coding? Look no further. John Regehr, an associate professor of computer science at the University of Utah, has dozens of in-depth posts on programming and the life and times around Utah.
Follow: @johnregehr | Read the blog: blog.regehr.org
Female Perspective on Computer Science
Gail Carmichael is passionate about computer science education — particularly in drawing girls to the mostly male-driven industry. Posts by Carmichael, a faculty instructor at Carleton University, in Ottowa, Canada, feature an in-depth look at what it takes to make a comp-sci education fascinating.
Follow: @gailcarmichael | Read the blog: compscigail.blogspot.com
GeoED Trek
Here's a blog that's really going places. GeoEd Trek is all about the intersection of GIS technologies and the higher ed classroom. Written by Laura Guertin, a professor of earth science at Penn State Brandywine, the blog shares Guertin's thoughts, research and advice on the ever-expanding world of GIS.
Follow: @guertin | Read the blog: blogs.agu.org/geoedtrek
Hack Education
Blogger and author Audrey Watters' Hack Education offers a spirited dissection of the state of education technology and its impact on the education system. For those seeking an alternative, outside-the-industry perspective, this is a blog not to be missed.
Follow: @audreywatters | Read the blog: hackeducation.com
Hapgood
Mike Caulfield, the director of blended and networked learning at Washington State University Vancouver has nearly two decades of experience in the educational technology industry. Though his blog is slightly younger, he brings his experience to each post, covering a wide range of topics.
Follow: @Holden | Read the blog: hapgood.us
High Ed Webtech
Mike Richwalsky is the senior director of creative services and e-marketing at John Carroll University in Ohio and is the sole author of the HighEdWebTech blog. Since 2008, Richwalsky has been writing about his experience with web development, cloud computing and web applications. In addition to his posts, be sure to check out Richwalsky’s WordPress themes and plugins.
Follow: @mrichwalsky | Read the blog: highedwebtech.com
Higher Ed Live
The blog for Higher Ed Live, a networking website for higher education leaders, shares best practices and industry trends with readers. The site also hosts a podcast that regularly features input from up-and-coming professors, bloggers, administrators and other key personalities in higher education.
Follow: @HigherEdLive | Read the blog: higheredlive.com/blog
Innovative Educator
Lisa Nielsen, a longtime educator and author, uses her blog to explore new learning methods and to shine a light on inefficiencies and deficiencies in education. Nielsen also leads Google Hangouts sessions with fellow educators and information technologists, during which they discuss their experiences with innovative classroom tech tools.
Follow: @InnovativeEdu | Read the blog: theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com
Joanna C. Young
Young's blog is a podium for her work as the CIO at the Michigan State University. She writes regularly about technical issues facing the higher education world, and features advice to other information technologists across academia.
Follow: @jcycio | Read the blog: cio.msu.edu
Josie Ahlquist
Ahlquist is a prolific blogger and a doctoral candidate at California Lutheran University interested in what technology can do for students and faculty. She regularly writes features that showcase her research into social media trends, and how that hub is influencing higher education. Her blog also occasionally lends a spotlight to women she thinks have found balance in life, despite all of the world's hurdles.
Follow: @JosieAhlquist | Read the blog: josieahlquist.com
Kevin Corbett
Kevin Corbett is an online learning program developer with a keen interest in social media, gamification and mobile learning. His active blog collects snippets of education technology news from all corners of the web. His posts are a gateway to an abundance of information, and both his blog and his Twitter feed make it easy to access the latest news related to education technology.
Follow: @Kevin_Corbett | Read the blog: kevincorbett.com
Learning Ecosystems
Daniel Christian is a senior instructional designer at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich. He curates technology, pedagogy and education news from around the web and adds his reflections in his posts. Topics vary, but you will find plenty of information on MOOCs, libraries, mobile learning and cloud computing.
Follow: @DChristian5 | Read the blog: danielschristian.com/learning-ecosystems
Lone Sysadmin
Bob Planker, an IT expert's blog gets its moniker from play on the name of X-Files' "Lone Gunmen" hackers. Planker's blog draws attention to the human side of IT management, highlighting accomplishments that don't just come from surviving times of technical crisis.
Follow: @Plankers | Read the blog: lonesysadmin.net
Mr. Library Dude
Get a peek into the life of a modern librarian. Carroll University reference and instruction librarian Joe Hardenbrook's blog covers his experiences in a library that’s evolving to suit new needs, such as 3D printers, modern research methods and information literacy.
Follow: @MrLibraryDude | Read the blog: mrlibrarydude.wordpress.com
On the Go with Ed Cabellon
Most higher education professionals are familiar with Cabellon’s blog by now. Cabellon is the Asst. to the VP, Student Affairs at Bridgewater State University in Massachussetts and, with his take on social media, has distinguished himself as a thought leader in the education community.
Follow: @EdCabellon | Read the blog: edcabellon.com
Paul Gordon Brown
Take a look at the power of social media in higher education. Paul Gordon Brown, a consultant, lecturer and PhD candidate at Boston College, inspires his readers to be, as his blog says, "digital adventurers, vanguards and change agents."
Follow: @PaulGordonBrown | Read the blog: paulgordonbrown.com/blog
Ravi's Blog
Ravi Ravishanker, the CIO of Wellesley College, brings a big-picture perspective to the management of higher ed IT services through his humbly named blog. From blended learning to the hassles of two-factor authentication, learn all about the latest tech trends and their significance to higher ed.
Follow: @ravishan | Read the blog: blogs.wellesley.edu/ravisblog
SmartBlog on Education
When it comes to staying on top of all things education technology, there's one site that has its hand in a bit of everything. SmartBrief's education blog features posts from its readers, and senior editor Melissa Greenwood manages its content.
Follow: @SBeducation | Read the blog: smartblogs.com/education
Stephen's Web
Stephen Downes works for the National Research Council of Canada, where he specializes in the fields of online learning, new media, pedagogy and philosophy. He writes prolifically about online learning and the connectivist learning theory. Downes describes “Stephen’s Web,” founded in 1995, as “a digital research laboratory for innovation in the use of online media in education.”
Student Affairs & Technology Leadership
Joe Sabado, the acting executive director for Student Information Services at the University of California–Santa Barbara, brings three years of blogging experience to the table. His posts feature stories on leadership, technical and social guidance in higher education.
Follow: @JoeSabado | Read the blog: joesabado.com
Student Affairs and Technology
Eric Stoller's blog space on Inside Higher Ed offers engaging advice on educational technology from a student-affairs perspective. From social media to analytics to the power of search engine optimization, don't miss Stoller's posts.
Follow: @EricStoller | Read the blog: insidehighered.com/blogs/student-affairs-and-technology
Student Affairs Women Tech Talk
A blog with a laser-focus—giving a place for women in student affairs to showcase technologies helping them today. It also lends focus to women doing interesting things in the industry.
Follow: @SAWomenTech | Read the blog: sawomentalktech.com/blog
Team ET
The technology team at Falmouth University in the United Kingdom regularly blogs about the deliberations, musings and evolving thoughts on education technology. It's a great peek into the inner workings of the challenges and successes within a higher education technology team.
Follow: @ET_Falmouth | Read the blog: et.falmouth.ac.uk
Tech Dean
TechDean, the blog of Purdue University College of Technology dean Gary Bertoline, presents his perspective on the ever-changing world of technology and the college’s role as a leader in technology innovation and education, and includes his vision for keeping the college at the forefront of the technology landscape.
Follow: @GaryBertoline | Read the blog: blog.tech.purdue.edu/techdean
TechKNOW Tools
Get inside the head of a modern higher education technologist. Laura A. Pasquini, a lecturer with the Department of Learning Technologies at the University of North Texas College of Information, brings more than 10 years of experience to bear in looking at how technology can guide and assist training and development in higher education.
Follow: @laurapasquini | Read the blog: techknowtools.wordpress.com
Technology Enhanced Learning Blog
David Hopkins, an eLearning Consultant at Warwick Business School in the United Kingdom, writes frequently on developments in theory, pedagogy and approaches related to e-learning, as well as the evolving role of learning technologists.
Follow: @HopkinsDavid | Read the blog: dontwasteyourtime.co.uk
TEL – York St. John University
This team of three educators at York St. John University in the United Kingdom regularly post about the tech tools that are working in today's higher ed classrooms. The team members help support and develop best practices for technology at the university, and the blog is a kind of landing page for the trends and solutions that work best.
Follow: @YSJTEL | Read the blog: blog.yorksj.ac.uk/moodle
The Theoryblog
This blog from Bonnie Stewart — an educator, researcher and self-proclaimed social media fortuneteller— explores the intersection of knowledge and technology. Look to Stewart for the happenings in the higher ed industry on social media, where she's honed a solid place for herself.
Follow: @BonStewart | Read the blog: theory.cribchronicles.com
Thoughts from Your Guide on the Side
Meet the University of Wisconsin’s Google czar. Jessica Brogley is a lecturer and Google Certified Teacher and Trainer at the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Her blog covers her adventures in technology integration in higher education classrooms.
Follow: @jbrogley | Read the blog: mrsbrogley.com/blog
Top Hat Blog
For nearly six years, Top Hat has been helping to engage students through devices, and on the company's blog, writers have been covering the ed-tech sector in both K–12 and higher education classrooms across a wide variety of sectors.
Follow: @TopHat | Read the blog: blog.tophat.com
Totally Rewired
Chris Rowell brings his experience as deputy learning technology manager at Regent's University London to his blog on education technology. His posts are powered by his passion for technology-enhanced learning and its application in the higher education setting.
Follow: @Chri5rowell | Read the blog: totallyrewired.wordpress.com
UC IT Blog
Go behind the scenes at the University of California's IT blog, from CIO Tom Andriola and his team at UC. The blog features success stories from the IT team, along with new technology initiatives on campus and industry trends.
Follow: @Andriola_UC | Read the blog: cio.ucop.edu
Web 2.0 Classroom
If you're an educator active on Twitter, you're probably already following Steven W. Anderson. If not, his blog is a great peek inside the brain of the man who has become the last word in educational technology on social media. Anderson left his full-time job as director of instructional technology to fully embrace speaking to educators about the power of technology in the classroom. His tweets — and retweets — are not to be missed!
Follow: @web20classroom | Read the blog: blog.web20classroom.org
WJU Edtech
Pam Jimison's work as the Educational Technologist at William Jessup University often peeks into view in her blog, which focuses on new tools and tech trends in education.
Follow: @pljimison | Read the blog: wjuedtech.wordpress.com
