Diary 02/27

Phew, five down three to go! I worked my tail off today.

I've gotten 6 items into the DL due by Friday and I'm making progress on the outline due in @ 3 weeks. I've done NOTHING with the YA info sheet and poster. Well, that is untrue. I did go to the store to buy the poster board needed for the project. I did not find any that was sturdy enough or looked the way I envisioned. I guess that doesn't matter since I still have absolutely no clue how to start this assignment...

To follow up my ipl2 post, when last I wrote I submitted a request for additional sources for my DL research paper. Immediately, I received this message : Greetings from the ipl2! We have accepted your question and will soon have one of our reference staff begin to research it. In most instances, you will receive a response from us within one week or by the need-by date that you indicated." Within 24 hours I had a reply. The reference person provided me with four unique sources - they listed search terms, provided hot links and tiny urls (just in case the larger link broke).

Two of the four items seemed pertinent to the direction of my research so I plan to print them out and see what more I can learn. The person very pleasantly ended with "Thank you again for using the ipl2! If you need any more information, please write back."

No, Thank You! I think I will try them again. I recommend testing the site especially if you hit a wall in your research.

My grandmother (or some family member) always said, two heads are always better than one.

TTYL

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Diary 02/24

One of my fellow cohort 9 students wrote in her blog about being an online research librarian on ipl2. I went to the link she provided (http://ipl.org/div/askus/) and requested additional information sources for my DL research paper. I submitted the question today along with the numerous sources I already compiled - they request those so they wont duplicate what you've already found - I now await there response... How exciting.

I'll let you know how they did.

Diary 02/20

Bugger!!! This is my world...

• Wiki periodical compilation due the 23rd - I don't think any of us understand how to start the compilation.
• A Water DB post is coming soon probably the 23 with a response due soon after - Sigh
• Book discussion questions/author overview due to my partner on the 28th for wk. 9
• 1000 word DB due the 28th comparing two DL's in order to recommend a collaborative system. WTF?!?!?! Believe me when I say, "I will never again be wooed by the title of a class" This is nothing like I thought it would be. Disgusted does not begin to describe how I feel! What happened to learning how to use the numerous DL's on the web? Jeez...
• Week 7 BD for YA due the 28th
• Populate a DL by March 5th w/25 "unique" items
• Detailed outline to 3000 word paper due March 19
• YA info sheet and poster due - SOON (FT weekend) - I am not clear what the assignment entails. Truly lost. I do know that I have to make and present a poster. Presenting is no problem. Making a poster is. I am not artistic. I'm told we have to use full sized poster board. I have no idea what I am going to do. Sounds like a cut and glue project is forming.
  

I need to either complete or make significant progress on each of these items within the next 8 days. Just call me overwhelmed (and let's not forget, disgusted).

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Diary 02/18

I do not recall ever working this hard to keep all facets of my life together.

I was just having a conversation with the Director of my library yesterday. He asked me how school was going. I told him that in my arrogance I just assumed being smart would be enough to enable me to sail through this program.

Like I told him, " I've had large parts of that arrogance knocked out of me each semester. I am sure that by the time I graduate, I'll be a truly humble person."

Well, maybe not totally humble- LOL!

Diary 02/14

Lord I am whipped, or is it whooped? Whatever, I am worn out. Thank god for the snow days of February 2010. That week off from class really helped. I got a full nights rest and I am feeling almost refreshed. There is too much to do in both of my classes to be completely refreshed.

This semester has already taught me a few things, 1. Do not let yourself be pushed around by arrogant bullies (no matter how much power over you/your future they seem to have) 2. Perseverance and righteousness will prevail. Can I get an amen? A M EN!!!!! My "situation" is not over but the light is definitely visible.

Oh, before I forget H A P P Y V A L E N T I N E S D A Y !!!!!!! I tweeted this to my YA classmates too. I guess I am becoming acclimated to Twitter. I am almost positive I won't continue the account when class ends. Though tweeting is pleasant it cannot take the place of this blog. I cannot vent in 140 characters of less.

Today is a free for all. I am stuffed and content. I have had a wonderful day filled with shopping and eating. Monday I must get back to my self control.

Ta Ta People ;oD

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Diary 02/09

Twitter Mania! I sent my first Tweet yesterday. Let me correct that, my first set of Tweets. I was unable to work within the character guidelines. It was brutal!

I got so caught up with trying to make sure I followed all 75-80 people in my YA class that I spent at least two hours tracking down class members on Twitter. I am currently following 79 people and have a following of 40. Not bad...

I've gotten caught up in the excitement. I now want to change my page background but cannot find where. Oh well, I'll spend hours on that Wednesday.

Thank goodness they are snowed in at Pitt. Today I must research my DL class's DB question. This evening I can get some work done and go to bed.

Yeah snow. Keep it coming!

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Diary 02/06

I was just reviewing my YA purple book. I ran across a section, on page 55 of the white section, called Measures of Engagement.

I have found out that I am not engaged in my school work at U of Pitt. Engaged being:

• I see this learning experience as meaningful for me personally for my career objectives
• I performed my personal best - I do, do this so I must be a bit engaged
• Even though this was difficult and/or time consuming, I believe I accomplished something worthwhile

I am in Strategic Compliance which is explained as:

• My goal for completing this learning experience is to earn a high grade
• My participation is based on earning a high grade

I am no where near ritual compliance, retreatism or rebellion- well not yet- but I wonder if where I am is considered good. There is no further explanation in the book. Why am I surprised?

I did some research and found my answer. You too can see it at the below link ... http://www.schlechtycenter.org/tools/public/sc_pdf_engagement.pdf

It turns out that with my level of engagement, I learn at high levels but have a
superficial grasp of what I learn, I do not retain what I learn and I usually cannot transfer what I've learned from one context to another.

Oh well, I get straight A's - LOL- I am satisfied (smirk!)

Diary 02/04

Gosh I'm tired.

My YA class is keeping me hopping. Between moderating book discussions, making author info sheets and researching DB topics while responding to others. I am mentally drained. We have another project coming up that is already boggling my mind and I'm not done with the current project. OMG!

My DL class is keeping me confused and off balance - who knew digital library lingo and text could be so confusing? I used to pride myself on my computer knowledge. I'm starting to question that now. In this class I have to research my research to attempt an understanding of certain concepts and I'm still kerflumphed. Never again!

Thankfully, I am basically keeping up with everything, school-work-life, and continuing the quest for justice I mentioned in my 01/30 post.

Please cross your fingers and pray for me. I am confident but every bit of positive energy helps and strengthens me.

Until later...

Diary 02/02

The instructor is avoiding me, which is not too hard with me being in another state.

I am not giving up - emails, phone calls. I'm contemplating my next move...

This is not over. I will be vindicated. You picked the WRONG ONE buddy!

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