Guides to Virtual Worlds published
The Association of Virtual Worlds believes that virtual worlds represent a major information and technological revolution in how we work, play and live. They have published a range of Guides to show there are more virtual worlds available than Second Life, with the Blue Book listing 250 virtual worlds, many suitable for educational settings and contexts. Association of Virtual Worlds, 2008.

'Green' gadgets will have big influence
In the near future, the 'greenness' of a gadget will have a big influence on whether consumers will buy it, suggests research published by Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). Consumers will soon look for more information about the environmental impact of a gadget and how it was made. The research suggests people will pay more for truly green products. But, it warned, consumers are very sceptical about the green claims made by hi-tech firms for their products. BBC News, 7 January 2009.

Edublog award winners 2008
The 2008 winners of the Edublogs community-based awards provide examples of excellence in the educational use of social software.

Government trial of online policy consultation commences
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, and Minister for Finance and Deregulation Lindsay Tanner, today announced a trial of online policy consultation. Senator Conroy has launched the first trial consultation, a blog canvassing the future of Australia's digital economy. Senator Conroy said 'Given the enthusiastic uptake of online communications tools like blogging, it makes sense for Government to experiment with these new methods of engagement, particularly on a vital topic such as the future of our digital economy.' The Digital Economy Blog can be found at: www.dbcde.gov.au/digitaleconomyblog. Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, 9 December 2008.

2008 Horizon Report Australia - New Zealand Edition
This regional Horizon report examines emerging technologies as they appear in and affect higher education in Australia and New Zealand in particular. The core of the report describes six areas of emerging technology that will impact higher education in Australia and New Zealand within three adoption horizons over the next five years. The report lists Virtual Worlds and other immersive Digital Environments; Cloud Based Applications; Geolocation; Alternative Input Devices; Deep Tagging and Next-generation Mobile technologies.

Networked Workers: US report reveals benefits and tradeoffs
Research reveals the majority of employed adults (62%) in the US use the internet or email at their job, and many have cell phones and Blackberries that keep them connected even when they are not at work. However, working Americans express mixed views about the impact of technology on their work lives. On the one hand, they cite the benefits of increased connectivity and flexibility that the internet and all of their various gadgets afford them at work. On the other hand, many workers say these tools have added stress and new demands to their lives. Pew Internet & American Life Project, 24 September 2008.

Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement
An Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement will be introduced to make Australian qualifications recognised and renowned throughout the world. The Graduation Statement will describe a higher education qualification in an easily understandable way, relating it to the system within which it was issued and describing qualifications in a clear and consistent way to potential employers and other higher education institutions. DEEWR Media release, 4 September 2008

Extending Australia's digital divide policy
"Following a decade of internet dispersion, user rates are now close to or exceed 75 per cent in many countries, including Australia. This puts policy makers in a much better position to examine the benefits internet users are actually enjoying and how policy can interact with and better capitalise on these benefits" states a new report from the Queensland University of Technology. FaHCSIA, 21 July 2008.

With the camera at Anzac
An online photographic album of the Australian soldiers at Gallipoli is freely available on the National Archive of Australia's website. This album contains 41 views of Anzac Beach and the surrounding hills and gullies taken in 1915. The photographs capture Gallipoli through the eyes of the digger. National Archive of Australia, April 2008.

Career development standards revised
The Revised Professional Standards for Australian Career Development Practitioners (2007) will provide Australians with assurance that career development services provided by Career Industry Council of Australia (CICA) members are supported by published ethical and professional standards and fully implemented by 2012. A complete pdf version of the document is now on the CICA website.