NFL vs. Twitter

The blogosphere has been buzzing about some  NFL teams banning Twitter on the sidelines and in the stands of training camps.  Teams and the NFL brass are reviewing their policies regarding cell phones and social media in the interest of protecting players’ privacy, team playbook secrets, and the general image of the league.  While some teams have not made any explicit directives about the use of social media in training camp or during games, others have threatened players with fines for Tweeting outside the lines.  What do you think about these reactions to Twitter by NFL teams?  Vote in the poll below!

Our New Netvibes Research Pathfinder: Iran Election and Riots 2009

While the mainstream media has been slow to pick up on the coverage of the historic Iran riots in reaction to the latest election results, social networks are brimming with the latest news.  Check out my new Netvibes research pathfinder portal to get the latest scoop on the Iran riots, including You Tube videos, Flickr photos, Tweets, delicious bookmarks, and Google News.

The Unquiet Library via kwout

Sneak Preview: New and Improved SIRS Researcher!

After taking a look at the “teaser” video, I am extremely excited about major changes coming to SIRS Researcher, which we here access through GALILEO. The new version will be known as SIRS Issues Researcher, and highlights of the sleeker and more robust version include:

• Essential research questions
• A more comprehensive look at an issue, including its historical origins and impact on today’s society
• More emphasis on the “whys” instead of the “whats” of an issue
• More emphasis on the global impact of an issue
• More international information sources
• More multimedia, primary sources, and statistical data [charts, graphs]
• More search enhancements
• Topic/subject/keyword clouds and maps
• Social bookmarking options (YES!)
• Notetaking organizers
• Citation generators
• New critical thinking modules to help you as students better analyze the issue
• More global and diverse perspectives
• An audio read aloud option
• Print and nonprint sources
• Article translation into 10 languages
• Correlation to state and national learning standards

These changes should be in place when we return to school in August!  In the meantime, check out these great “sneak peek” resources!

• The “teaser” video
• Sneak peek notes (PDF file)
• A video tour of the new and improved information sources in SIRS Issues Researcher
• An overview of their 21st century learning tools
• The SIRS Researcher context video

Web 2.0 Resources for the Swine Flu Outbreak

Creekview High School LibGuides – Swine Flu Resources – Home via kwout

Keep up to date with the latest Swine flu outbreak news with our Swine Flu Research Pathfinder.  This pathfinder features a Google mashup map that shows the geographic location of confirmed Swine flu cases, the latest headlines from Google News, video and news headlines from resources such as CNN, ABC News, and the CDC as well as the official Swine Flu widget leading you to the latest info you need to know to stay safe in this outbreak.

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2009

Today marks the beginning of the National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.  National Eating Disorders.org identifies the purpose of this week:

NEDAwareness Week is a collective effort of primarily volunteers, eating disorder professionals, health care providers, educators, social workers, and individuals committed to raising awareness of the dangers surrounding eating disorders and the need for early intervention and treatment.

Here are some resources if you or someone you know is suffering from an eating disorder:

• National Eating Disorder.org Resource Page
• The National Eating Disorder.org Help Hotline:  Helpline Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Pacific Standard Time: 1-800-931-2237.
• Search our card catalog for a book on an eating disorder
• Our guidance counselors at Creekview High School
• KidsHealth Resource Page on Eating Disorders
• Medline Plus Eating Disorders Information Page
• NIMH Information Page on Eating Disorders

YouTube: Speak Out on the Stimulus Package

Check out the latest from the YouTube Blog—you can now speak out to members of Congress and let them know what you like or don’t like about the economic stimulus package!

YouTube Blog via kwout

You can go directly to the Senate Hub page and give your feedback.  Here are some YouTube Channels you will want to bookmark and subscribe to:

• http://www.youtube.com/senatehub
• http://www.youtube.com/user/househub
• Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson at http://www.youtube.com/user/SenatorIsakson
• Georgia Congressman Jack Kingston at http://www.youtube.com/user/JackKingston
• Georgia Congressman Hank Johnson  at http://www.youtube.com/user/RepHankJohnson
• Georgia Congressman John Lewis at http://www.youtube.com/user/RepJohnLewis

Don’t forget that you can easily add your favorite YouTube Channels to your iGoogle page with the click of a button!

Peanut Butter Salmonella Outbreak and Recall Information Portal via Pageflakes

Check out my latest Pageflakes Pagecast on the peanut butter salmonella outbreak and recall! My portal includes:

• The official CDC/FDA Peanut Butter recalled products widget
• Latest news feeds from Google News
• The latest blog entries from the official CDC/FDA blog on the peanut butter salmonella outbreak
• Videos on the outbreak from the FDA YouTube Channel
• Podcasts from the CDC on the outbreak
• One of the official badges with information for citizens to call for more info on the peanut butter products recall
• The RSS feed for the FDA Recall Twitter Twitterstream
• My favorite bookmarks via del.icio.us
• Widgets to two of my GALE databases for students to search

Inauguration Pageflakes Pagecast Updated: YouTube, UStream, and Flickr!

I have updated The Unquiet Library’s Pageflakes Pagecast to include the official Inauguration 2009 Committee’s YouTube channel, Flickr photos, and Twitter tweets as well as an embedded link to the live streaming of the inauguration ceremonies via UStream!  Be sure to surf over to the pagecast for the latest and best news on Inauguration 2009!

Inauguration 2009: Our Pageflakes Pagecast!

Inauguration 2009 Pageflakes Pagecast by The Unquiet Library

Be sure to surf over to The Unquiet Library’s Inauguration 2009 Pageflakes Pagecast! This screencast is still a work in progress, but you can see the latest feeds from our favorite bookmarks, news outlets, and TWITTER!  Stay tuned as we add more resources in the next few days!

Merriam Webster 2008 Word of the Year: “Bailout”

 

Merriam-Webster’s Word Of The Year, It’s Right On The Tip Of Every American’s Tongue, But What Does It Mean? – CBS News via kwout

Merriam Webster has revealed the 2008 Word of the Year:  bailout!  Other top words, indicators of the mood of our nation, included trepidation,” “precipice” and “turmoil.”

“There’s something about the national psyche right now that is looking up words that seem to suggest fear and anxiety,” said John Morse, Merriam-Webster’s president and publisher.

According to this CNN article, “Several well-worn terms from the presidential campaign also made the cut: “maverick,” “bipartisan” and, coming in at No. 2, “vet” – to appraise and evaluate, as in vetting a vice presidential pick.

How does Merriam Webster define “bailout”?  Check it out below:

bailout – Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary via kwout

 What do you think?  Do you agree that bailout should be the 2008 Word of the Year?  Vote in our poll!