Welcome!

You may not know it, but if you regularly use Google to find stuff on the web and MySpace to keep in touch with friends and family, you're already using the kinds of technologies we'll be exploring in this class.

This quarter, we'll use some emerging and (hopefully) fun new information tools that can improve the way you use information at school and in life. In addition to using the traditional "physical" library collection and learning about academic research strategies, we'll be playing around with tools like blogs, wikis, RSS feeds and other methods of accessing and organizing the information you need.

If you are reading this after class one, you know that the course centers around 23 Things (learning tasks), designed by myself and Korey Brunetti, another CSUEB electronic collections librarian. Completing the Things will help you better find, organize, cite and evaluate information.

Here are the "ground rules" for the class:

• Research-specific topics will be covered extensively during our weekly class meetings. However, not all of the tasks will be covered in class. For those topics that we don't cover in class, you will be given online resources and some basic directions, but I will expect you to figure things out for yourself. You are free to seek help from fellow classmates and individual help from me.

• Because of the extensive online component, each (required) class session will only meet for the first hour. The second (optional) hour will be reserved for individual help. I'll stay in the lab for the second hour and you may choose to stay and work on your homework with me, or you may choose to leave. If you encounter any trouble understanding the assignments, I encourage you to stay for the second half of class. I will be available at other times for individual appointments, but I expect you to seek help during class first, if possible.

• All assignments and announcements will be posted on the LIBY1210-02 blog. You will turn in your assignments, with the exception of the research project, via your personal blog, which you will be setting up this week.
  

• Some of the tasks will contain unfamiliar material and may be challenging. I hope that you will regard this as an opportunity to explore and have a little bit of fun. I don't expect you to become an expert (but maybe you will!). Just follow the directions, play around (in a mindful way), and let me know how things go.

• For details about the course schedule, grading, and other policies, please see the links above to the Syllabus and Schedule.

- Lori