Unit 4-4 How to Keep Up

After completing this unit, you will be able to:

• Keep up with the changes that are occurring in multimedia, Internet, and educational technology.
• Join listservs that will e-mail you periodic summaries of the latest multimedia news.
• Bookmark Web sites that will help you can stay current with new technology.
• Subscribe to printed magazines that will help you keep up with the fast-paced field of multimedia.
• Peruse catalogs for new products that may interest you.
• Find out about conferences and exhibits where you can see the latest multimedia hardware and software products.

Reading

Read chapter 17 of the Multimedia Literacy textbook to study the concepts covered by this unit.

Online Activities

There are many reasons why you need to keep up with what is happening in multimedia. Since the ability to use it is emerging as a life skill, you will continually need to develop your multimedia techniques to stay competitive in your profession and live life fully in the information society. As the technology changes and you upgrade your computer, you will need the latest information and advice on what to buy. By periodically checking the Web sites, joining the listservs, and subscribing to the periodicals listed in this chapter, you will be able to remain current and even contribute your own opinions and ideas about multimedia access to the Information Superhighway. Almost all of these resources are free; the only cost of reading the free ones is your time, which will be well spent. The following online activities will get you started:

• After you read Chapter 17, follow the Multilit Web site links to listservs and click to peruse the listservs that interest you. The author highly recommends that you join the NewsScan listserv. You will find on-screen instructions for joining the listservs at each listserv's Web site.
• Chapter 17 lists periodicals that will help keep you up-to-date on the new technology. Several of these periodicals are free. Be sure to apply for your free copy, by following the instructions provided in the text. For links to Web sites that will help keep you updated, follow the Multilit Web site links to periodicals and Web sites.

Assignment

After you complete this unit, you will be ready to complete the listserv assignment:

• Following the instructions provided in the Listserv section of chapter 17, join the NewsScan listserv. When the next issue of NewsScan arrives in your e-mail, read the news. In your opinion, what is the most significant news item in the current issue of NewsScan?