Chapter 1. Self-Assessment Activities

Chapter 2. Learning Activities
Learning Activity 2-1
Learning Activity 2-2
Learning Activity 2-3
Learning Activity 2-4
Learning Activity 2-5

Chapter 3. Learning Activities

Common Chat and E-mail Abbreviations, Emoticons and Emoting

Chapter 4. Learning Activities

Core Reference Sources and Tools

The Virtual Reference Handbook: Interview and Information Delivery Techniques for the Chat and E-Mail Environments

Learning Activity 2-3. Minimal Multi-tasking Practice

This learning activity is a simple exercise in multi-tasking. Practice these basics. Add software applications of your choice. Work slowly and carefully. Build up speed gradually.

Windows (Vista, XP/2000, etc.) Beginning Multi-tasking

Review the locations of the following on your computer:

1. Start menu

   Chat software - what do you have? IM tools?

   Web Browsers - what do you have? Web Chat bookmarked?

   E-mail Software- what do you have? Web E-mail?

   Word processing software - what do you have?

2. Task bar - Monitor your Task bar and the applications that show in it as you continue with the next steps.

Mac OSX Beginning Multi-tasking

Review the locations of the following on your computer:

1. Dock

   Chat software - what do you have? IM tools?

   Web Browsers - what do you have? Web Chat bookmarked?

   E-mail Software- what do you have? Web E-mail?

   Word processing software - what do you have?

2. Finder Window/Applications Folder

   Chat software - what do you have? IM tools?

   Web Browsers - what do you have? Web Chat bookmarked?

   E-mail Software- what do you have? Web E-mail?

Self-reflect on this simple beginning multi-tasking practice. How did this 'feel' to you?

Software Multi-tasking Practice:

1. Open and start your Web browser - Connect to one of the following sites:

   Webpoedia - computer and Internet technology definitions - http://www.webopedia.com/

   The Sharpened Glossary of Internet and Computer Terms - http://www.sharpened.net/glossary/

   File Formats and Extenstions - FileTypes Overview - http://www.1stsitefree.com/file_types.htm

2. Open and start your word processing software.

   Copy and paste information from one of the Web sites or the URL to a text file.

   Save the file as text only

   Attach the file to your e-mail below

3. Open/start/connect to a chat session

   Talk to someone on your list or connect to the instructor

   Copy and paste information from one of the Web sites or the URL to your chat session

4. Open/Connect to your e-mail software

   Address an e-mail messageto someone you are chatting online to or anyone else - yourself is fine.

   Copy and paste information from one of the Web sites or the URL to an e-mail message

Self-reflect on this simple four software multi-tasking practice. How did this 'feel' to you? Try adding other software applications into the practice.Return to top