I just posted an entry about my love for Google Alerts.
An example of the timeliness of the alerts service is illustrated by the InfoWhelm and Information Literacy video. I got word on the 21st Century Fluency Project’s video via a Google Alert about two weeks before it started hitting my “social circle:”
An appropriate example, especially regarding the message of the video!
Back in June, TechCrunch asked if the newly implemented Google Alerts changes, specifically the removal of “WEB” alerts to an “EVERYTHING” option, was the “beginning of the end for Google Alerts.” After about a month since the changes, I still love the Google Alerts service — even while it’s still in beta. I’ve used it monitor to the latest relevant Google results (blogs, news, etc.) specific to the Adventures in Library Instruction podcast, as well as topics of interest (e.g., “information literacy,” “information fluency,” etc.)
example of Web alert for "information literacy"
example of blog alert for "information literacy"
I’ve found that I still get up-to-date notices on topics and subjects that of which I try to stay “in the know.” Apparently, some people who originally had the WEB option selected stopped getting updates with the EVERYTHING option. I, however, did not run into that problem. Google recommends for those who find they “aren’t getting any results, try changing the “email length” field to “up to 50 results” – this will result in looser filtering, giving you more possible results.”
examples of options in google alert searches
Try it for a variety of reasons – track an area of research interest, a political topic, a business and/or library, or your ex-boy/girlfriend. You never know what you may find out, as well as who’s talking/blogging about topics of interest to you!
CC Image courtesy of The Lightworks on Flickr
Mobile applications applied to learning is an area I have yet to tap into. That’s why EDUCAUSE’s recent publication, “7 Things You Should Know About Mobile Apps for Learning,” is of interest to me, especially as a mobile learning n00b.
The document outlines the basics:
Looks like a nice introduction and overview to the world of mobile learning!
Well after all the hullabaloo regarding Facebook’s convoluted opt-out steps, it appears they’ve switched up the settings options for the Instant Personalization feature that Facebook recently implemented. You should still to do the two steps [especially the latter step: blocking the three "test" applications] to check your settings by going to Your Account –> Privacy Settings –> Applications and Websites:
Then, you’ll need to click on the “Edit Settings” Button next to Instant Personalization to get to this page:
You’ll see, however, that the super small disclaimer is still there: “Please keep in mind that if you opt out, your friends may still share public Facebook information about you to personalize their experience on these partner sites unless you block the application.“ But as Bobbi Newman pointed out in yesterday’s Librarian by Day post, there were links to these applications. Now they are gone.
There doesn’t appear to be a natural way to get to the applications to block them other than this direct link: http://www.facebook.com/help/?page=1068. Once you get to this FAQ page, you can scroll down to the “How do I opt-out of instant personalization?” FAQ and access the direct links to the block the Docs.com, Pandora, and Yelp applications.
Have they really made this process better or less convoluted?
After reading articles, such as this one, you may want to opt out of Facebook’s new Instant Personalization setting.
Bobbi Newman posted on her blog, Librarian by Day, a great explanation of the two-step process Facebookers should follow if they wish to opt out of Facebook’s new instant personalization component. The opt out process, especially the latter of the two steps, is somewhat hidden.
I’ve done a video via Screentoaster that allows you see an example of me following the two-step process, which Bobbi explains in her post.
