How to Subscribe to my Blog

I've received a couple of emails from people asking HOW they can subscribe to my blog. 

Below is a SHORT video that will show you three different ways you can get notified when I've written a new blog post.  Feel free to simply watch the video, subscribe, and be done; however, if you want to learn a little bit more about RSS Feeds, continue reading below the video.

Watch: HOW TO SUBSCRIBE TO MY BLOG:

What IS is an RSS? RSS Explained.

RSS stands for Rich Site Summary. It's format for delivering regularly changing web contact -- oftentimes news-related sites, blogs, etc.

Why might I want to use RSS?

I follow 17 blogs on a regular basis.  Without an RSS, I would have to visit each of those websites daily to see if they've been updated. That's a lot of running around the net! 

To save me time, I use Protopage as my reader -- although there are a TON of RSS readers out there. This means I go to ONE website, and I can find all the sites I follow in one place. Without having to go to each website, I can see if there is an update, and even read the title to see if I want to go to the site to read it -- similar to using the subject line of an email to determine if you want need to read it.

What if I don't follow a lot of websites?

No problem!  Then just subscribe using your email address or Google+.  

Snowball Microphone for Skype

If you aren't sure what a Snowball Microphone is, just take a look at it, and you'll see where

Snowball Microphone

its name comes from.  This is an amazing tool when working with a large group of students doing a recording or a Skype/Face Time chat.

I'll be using this cool tool on Wednesday with a group of students as they do a Skype visit with Lauren Tarshis, the author of the very popular I Surivived . . . series of books.

What's so great about this tool?  It's a highly sensitive microphone that allows students to be able to record or talk via Skype without having to be really close to the computer's microphone.  Just plug this mic into your computer's USB port and students can still sit in their desk and be heard by the visitor!  This is HUGE!  No longer will students who have questions have to get out of their seats and come in close to the computer.  They can stay where they are and ask their question!  This saves time -- allowing more time for additional questions!  Yeah!

Do you want to use this cool tool with your class for a recording in iMovie, QuickTime, or for a chat via Skype, FaceTime, Google Talk, etc?  Just stop at your school library!  Both of my libraries have this cool tool available for check out, AND they are iPad compatible thanks to a couple of adapters I was also able to purchase!

Have you had good luck with the Snowball microphone?  Tell me how in the comments section!

Google Certified Educator

Whew!  When I "signed on" to get my Google Educator Certificate this summer, I had no idea how much work it would be, how difficult it would be, or how much I would learn!

To become a Google Educator, you need to take and pass five courses -- four on Google Apps (Drive, Calendar, Gmail, & Calendar) as well as one "elective." I chose to take my elective on Google Chrome browser as this was the elective I thought my students would benefit from the most -- we use iPads rather than Chrome Books.

Each exam is 90 minutes long, containing 60 multiple choice questions, and trust me, I needed every minute to complete and pass (80% or higher) the exams!  And I didn't do it alone!  There was a small group of us this summer who committed ourselves to the task.  Throughout the summer, we offered each other support, help, and encouragement -- and look, ladies!  

WE DID IT!

This year, each of the buildings should have at least one, Certified Google Educator to help students and staff as our district migrates to the Google Suite of Apps.  

Looking forward to an amazing year!

-- Jenn McMahon, Library Goddess

Welcome to Library Goddess Techie Tips and Tricks!

Welcome!  My goal with this blog is to offer short, simple tips and tricks with regards to technology.  With my school district's very recent shift to Gmail, Google Calendar, and Drive, I'm hoping this will be a go-to place for staff to get quick answers to questions they may have.

If you have a question or a suggestion for a future post, please let me know!

Please also check out my wikis -- a place where I showcase student work.

Tullar Library Wiki

ROACE Library Wiki

  --Jenn McMahon, Library Goddess