Thing 11, All About Google

This morning I am proctoring the ACT test and using the time to do some more exploration of Google. Earlier this week I created and sent out my first Google Document and learned some pretty interesting info about some of my colleagues. I also learned that the document can be published by others even if it is not finished! :)

I love adding these images taken from Google but am uncertain about the copyright issue of using them. I spent a good amount of time trying to get an answer but am afraid I couldn't really find a clear cut explanation as to whether or not I can use them just by citing the source or if I need to get permission. If anyone has an answer please share.
(Image taken from: http://images.google.com/)

At the urging of a colleague I have set up the Google calendar and will give it a try. Will reminders of appointments pop up automatically? I couldn't seem to find a place to set that up.

In addition I discovered ORKUT. Did you know it can make your social life "more active and stimulating" and can help you "maintain existing relationships" and help you to "create and join a wide variety of online communities?" It doesn't seem to have to popularity of My Space and Facebook.

Lots and lots of interesting stuff in Google. Book reviews, U. S. Government info and links, patents and much more. Very cool.

Thing 17, One New Thing

This is exactly how I felt this morning when I was trying out my brand new "Information Literacy" power point presentation (PPP!) Talk about initiation by fire! This weekend I actually took my new laptop on our trip to"God's country alias Wisconsin" and prepared the PPP. Just as first hour walked in, the laptop and LCD projector were talking to each other. Everything seemed too good to be true. Well, it was. About 5 screens into the PPP I crashed and burned. The live link would not go live. In desperation I reconnected the faithful 'ol desktop but alas, I was out of time. I'm not quite sure why it wouldn't connect but it was up and running by second hour. I do feel like I've leaped a giant hurdle though, PPPPP (preparing and presenting a PPP!) :)
P.S. Almost forgot to give credit where credit is due, the cartoon was taken from:
http://images.google.com/images?q=power+point&gbv=2&ndsp=20&svnum=10&hl=en&start=60&sa=N

Thing 3

I established an account in Bloglines and with the help of Jamie downloaded all of our MILP participant blogs. This will be a great time saver since it will identify any new posts without having to go into each blog individually.

I added a number of additional feeds. A counted cross stitch, gardening and cooking for 2 were added right from the Bloglines site just by clicking on "subscribe to feed." I added the "Sub with Bloglines" button to my favorites list. I also added my daughter's blog and have a question about the difference between the URL, one ends with /rss and the other ends with /atom but when you preview each site they look the same.

No thing at all

I realize I may be going out on a limb but I believe I may be speaking for all of the repeating Library Media Specialists in the MILP/MILI project. Last night I actually had the chance to sit down with my laptop and experiment with all of the new bells and whistles while I painfully watched the Green Bay Packers give away the game to "da Bears!" I am fairly confident that I would not have been at my desktop doing the same activities. I now can truly feel a part of the cohort! My colleagues have been involved and very supportive of each other and I feel like we are on a learning journey together.

Wa-Hoo! Life is good! Tie your shoes on tight as we start down this slippery slide called information literacy!

Thing 2

This whole avatar thing is pretty cool. Of course this is my virtual body! Are dogs allowed in the library?

Thing 1

I know I understand the definition of information literacy to be " a set of abilities requiring individuals to "recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information." (Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education. American Library Association. 2006.)

What I seriously doubt is that I'll ever understand "football literacy." Married to a sports fanatic and eventual coach, I can't even imagine how many hours I have spent attending and watching various sporting teams, especially the Green Bay Packers. As much as I love to watch the "Pack" (and especially Brett Favre) unless I actively locate, evaluate and use information I will never understand the rules of football. Go Pack!!!
(Photo taken from http://www.sidelineshow.com)

New Post vs. Create a blog!!!

We learned today that there is a BIG difference between "new post" and "create a blog", huge!!
Seems when you mistakingly use "create a blog" when you think you are really adding a post, you create all kinds of problems. Don't ever do it!

If you're in a hurry and don't proofread the good news is that you can edit!

Last Friday, much to my dismay, I discovered that in my haste to post a post, I had not carefully proof read my entry. The good news is that you CAN edit an existing posting.