The HEDIR Update
Folks,
We’re starting the 17th year of the HEDIR. Since then the world has seen some incredible technologies take place. It can be quite overwhelming. I would like to think that I’m serious about technology and when I see everything that’s out there I almost become paralyzed.
Probably as when the HEDIR first started, people will ask “why?” Why get involved with it? You hear the same now about things like MySpace/Facebook, or the other social networks; you hear about it with Blogs, Twitter, Second Life, Wiki, etc.
I guess as busy professionals it’s probably best to focus on one or two areas. Besides the HEDIR listserv (you can sign up for it at www.hedir.org/directory) the two that seem to be the center of my attention for now is this … the HEDIR Blog, and Twitter.
Both are to provide updated information, and allows people to use these forums to let others know what is happening. I’m getting a little comfortable using the HEDIR Blog, and I think I’ll be adding more to this on a regular basis. I encourage people to comments on these issues (of course that would require you to register).
For the Twitter I’m still not sure what is expected. I get Twitter messages from CDC, CNN Health and others. It’s good information, but I’m just not sure how the Twitter is used for an individual. I have had a few people ‘follow’ me on Twitter (twitter.com/kittleson) but I’m not sure what they’re following.
Is this a form of cyber stalking? I don’t think so (at least I hope not). Do people who are ‘following’ me need to know that I’m having my ham sandwich at lunch? If so, these people need to get a life.
So, why Twitter? Help me out. What do you want to receive from me (or what we want from others). In one of my classes I give them ‘words of wisdom’ on how to become a better health educator. But these are usually humorous stories (like my Dave Barry is a Health Educator post a couple of weeks ago). Is this what you want?
Please, I’m learning this like the rest of you. I see potential value…especially from organizations and agencies, but how does an individual use it. Any thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated.
Starting this week (if time permits) I am also going to post some of the more ‘popular’ issues on the HEDIR. I’m not going to post requests for syllabi or books, but rather those issues that have some overall relevance to the profession of health education. For example, there’s an initial discussion on the role of theory in health education.
We’ll see how this goes.
As usual, have a great day. I hope to see all of you at AAHE this spring.
Kelly House
Mark J Kittleson
Margaret Sullivan
Maria Alexandrova
jodyearly
Shanell L. McGoy
Mainul Mustafa
M. Helen Hogue
Yuba
Okony K. Cham
Kamrun Mustafa
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