The Quest of an Undergraduate Researcher

Musings of a twentysomething undergraduate always thinking about the next right step.




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One of my passions is raising awareness for global issues. Click here for an ongoing list of charities & global voices on tumblr.



Email: saraeneville@gmail.com
Website: saraneville.tumblr.com
Twitter: @earthspacequest


Ask me anything

Tumblr theme by ahhfred

September 30th, 2011
jtotheizzoe: Twitter as a giant global mood ring By analyzing global tweet content, a pair of researchers from Cornell are using the social networking tool t analyze the world’s mood throughout the day. For example, most people wake up in a good mood, which falls steadily throughout the day, and they get happier as the week rolls on. (via Not Exactly Rocket Science, more graphs there) This is my JAM!  I was talking to my mom about my trip to the Academy yesterday, where I got to sift through Brooke Dolan’s collection in the archives. I went through boxes of old correspondence, field notes, journals, and photographs from Brooke Dolan’s two expeditions to Western China and Eastern Tibet in the 1930s. Dolan was an influential character at the Academy, and after reading about his expeditions for my thesis, it was so cool to actually handle some of his old letters and the actual journals he took to Shanghai! I can only dream of doing research like this — like working in archives and synthesizing piles and piles of historical material into a comprehensive story, or collecting data from social media sites to determine patterns about people. Research is so intriguing to me. I hope that I will be able to do research in whatever profession I find myself in. Keep questioning!Sara

jtotheizzoe:

Twitter as a giant global mood ring

By analyzing global tweet content, a pair of researchers from Cornell are using the social networking tool t analyze the world’s mood throughout the day.

For example, most people wake up in a good mood, which falls steadily throughout the day, and they get happier as the week rolls on.

(via Not Exactly Rocket Science, more graphs there)

This is my JAM! 

I was talking to my mom about my trip to the Academy yesterday, where I got to sift through Brooke Dolan’s collection in the archives. I went through boxes of old correspondence, field notes, journals, and photographs from Brooke Dolan’s two expeditions to Western China and Eastern Tibet in the 1930s. Dolan was an influential character at the Academy, and after reading about his expeditions for my thesis, it was so cool to actually handle some of his old letters and the actual journals he took to Shanghai!

I can only dream of doing research like this — like working in archives and synthesizing piles and piles of historical material into a comprehensive story, or collecting data from social media sites to determine patterns about people. Research is so intriguing to me. I hope that I will be able to do research in whatever profession I find myself in.

Keep questioning!
Sara

(via jtotheizzoe)

August 6th, 2011

Warby Parker Social Media Position

richtong:

While chatting with the guys from the Warby Parker team this morning (who are doing some incredible things to improve communities around the world), they mentioned that they have an open position for someone to manage their social media. Essentially, someone who’d be “good at tumblr” - which I…

If only, if only I were a college graduate!

Keep questioning,
Sara 

July 31st, 2011

world-shaker:

shivvermetimbers:

If Social Media Was Around For The World Wars 

These are beautiful. Anyone know if they’re available for purchase as larger posters?

This is pretty awesome!

June 30th, 2011
Tumblr teachers! Hey, tumblr teachers! Have you heard of Storify? If not, you should click through the above photo to @HeidiEllis’ story about the #ISTE11 kickoff the other day in Philadelphia. Storify is a tool that creates stories using social media. What a neat way to synthesize the information you read every day on the internet. Great for current events, conference recaps, and social research! Keep questioning,Sara 

Tumblr teachers! Hey, tumblr teachers! Have you heard of Storify?

If not, you should click through the above photo to @HeidiEllis’ story about the #ISTE11 kickoff the other day in Philadelphia. Storify is a tool that creates stories using social media. What a neat way to synthesize the information you read every day on the internet.

Great for current events, conference recaps, and social research!

Keep questioning,
Sara 

June 29th, 2011
So who’s already captivated by Google+, the new, up-and-coming social network? I saw a lot of tittering and twittering going on and overlooked it until I got home from work about an hour ago. I finally caved and decided to see what all the fuss was about. The above screen shot is what has roped me in. Social network circles within a social network? I’m in. I’m so in! The idea is reminiscent of a recent article I read from the Chronicle of Higher Education on splitting personalities for social media. As an undergraduate student with a few social circles, an academic life, varied interests in online communities, and a job at a local middle school, my split personalities are splattered all over the internet… and sometimes it’s hard to keep them all separate.  I can’t wait to see what Google+ has in store. Sign up here to be updated on Google+ goings-on! Keep questioning,Sara 

So who’s already captivated by Google+, the new, up-and-coming social network?

I saw a lot of tittering and twittering going on and overlooked it until I got home from work about an hour ago. I finally caved and decided to see what all the fuss was about. The above screen shot is what has roped me in.

Social network circles within a social network? I’m in. I’m so in! The idea is reminiscent of a recent article I read from the Chronicle of Higher Education on splitting personalities for social media. As an undergraduate student with a few social circles, an academic life, varied interests in online communities, and a job at a local middle school, my split personalities are splattered all over the internet… and sometimes it’s hard to keep them all separate. 

I can’t wait to see what Google+ has in store. Sign up here to be updated on Google+ goings-on!

Keep questioning,
Sara 

June 27th, 2011
I’ve been meaning to send a shout-out to the tumblr team: thank you for featuring me in the education spotlight! It’s so humbling to be amidst some of the most inspiring teachers here… tumblr is such an amazing resource for teachers, but they have yet to tap into it, which is what makes the existing network of us so special :) Keep questioning,Sara 

I’ve been meaning to send a shout-out to the tumblr team: thank you for featuring me in the education spotlight! It’s so humbling to be amidst some of the most inspiring teachers here… tumblr is such an amazing resource for teachers, but they have yet to tap into it, which is what makes the existing network of us so special :)

Keep questioning,
Sara 

world-shaker: What happens every 60 seconds in the tech world. I’m completely in love with infographics. On the train home yesterday, I skimmed the #ISTE11 conference program and noticed a couple of sessions/papers/posters on infographics! Will definitely have to check those out. Keep questioning,Sara 

world-shaker:

What happens every 60 seconds in the tech world.

I’m completely in love with infographics. On the train home yesterday, I skimmed the #ISTE11 conference program and noticed a couple of sessions/papers/posters on infographics! Will definitely have to check those out.

Keep questioning,
Sara 

May 27th, 2011
socialmediablab: A Big Shift Holy cow, our world is CHANGING! 96% of 18-35 year olds are on a social network I am so amazed at technology’s ability to change our world so quickly. I am always excited to see new websites gain momentum, new educational tools find their way into classrooms, and new bloggers gain popularity. I can’t imagine what our world will be like in five… ten… twenty years! Keep questioning,Sara 

socialmediablab:

A Big Shift

Holy cow, our world is CHANGING!

96% of 18-35 year olds are on a social network

I am so amazed at technology’s ability to change our world so quickly. I am always excited to see new websites gain momentum, new educational tools find their way into classrooms, and new bloggers gain popularity. I can’t imagine what our world will be like in five… ten… twenty years!

Keep questioning,
Sara 

(via singledaysjourney)

April 19th, 2011
abbeydufoe: Skype is the leading social media outlet.. awesome! I’ve heard so many great things about how Skype can be used in the classroom and I still don’t know how to use it.. eek! Better get on that! Keep questioning,Sara  P.S. Can’t believe myspace is still above twitter & linkedin!

abbeydufoe:

Skype is the leading social media outlet.. awesome!

I’ve heard so many great things about how Skype can be used in the classroom and I still don’t know how to use it.. eek! Better get on that!

Keep questioning,
Sara 

P.S. Can’t believe myspace is still above twitter & linkedin!

April 12th, 2011
abbeydufoe: Hey tumblr community! I have created this blog to immerse myself in the world of communications, media studies, and mass media. There is so much to learn about my major and college of choice, and I am eager to soak it all in!Always learning something! Abbey (photo credit: http://www.liberatemedia.com/blog/is-social-media-now-mass-media/) In honor of Tumblr Tuesday, I’m going to make an effort to recommend 3 blogs every Tuesday and let you know why I like them! abbeydufoe: My homegirl Abbey just started this blog in order learn more about social media and communications. Based on what I know about Ms. Dufoe, this is bound to be a great blog! mothernaturenetwork: An amazing science-based news source! letsbethechange: 19 year-old Laura started this tumblr to raise awareness of various global issues, non-profits, and what YOU can do to help change the world! Keep questioning,Sara

abbeydufoe:

  • Hey tumblr community! I have created this blog to immerse myself in the world of communications, media studies, and mass media. There is so much to learn about my major and college of choice, and I am eager to soak it all in!

    Always learning something!
    Abbey
  • (photo credit: http://www.liberatemedia.com/blog/is-social-media-now-mass-media/)

In honor of Tumblr Tuesday, I’m going to make an effort to recommend 3 blogs every Tuesday and let you know why I like them!

  1. abbeydufoe: My homegirl Abbey just started this blog in order learn more about social media and communications. Based on what I know about Ms. Dufoe, this is bound to be a great blog!
  2. mothernaturenetwork: An amazing science-based news source!
  3. letsbethechange: 19 year-old Laura started this tumblr to raise awareness of various global issues, non-profits, and what YOU can do to help change the world!

Keep questioning,
Sara

The World's Simplest Social Media Policy

world-shaker:

  • We don’t need a complicated policy that runs on for pages that no one can understand.  What we do need is a common sense policy like the one shared by Mike Brown on the Nate Riggs Social Business Strategies blog.  The policy was made for business and works for education as well.  The policy was written for social media, but also applies to face-to-face.  Here it is with some slight schooly revisions from me.

    “Will what you’re about to share offend, surprise, or shock your current or future
    1. Classmates  
    2. Teacher 
    3. Friends
    4. Boyfriend/girlfriend 
    5. Family
    6. Parents
    7. Employer
    8. Clients
    9. Business partners

      … in a way which critically jeopardizes your relationship? If you answer even one “Yes” for this short list of people, think long and hard before publishing your content.”

      Boom. Done.

This is pretty much how I operate. Easy enough, right?!

Keep questioning,
Sara

April 8th, 2011
So you wanna be a social media manager? (via socialcast) Sounds pretty fun to me! After a brain-exploding day at Museums & the Web yesterday, I’m still excited to plow through twitter and various blogs to hear what others have to say. Wonders of social media never cease to amaze me… Keep questioning,Sara

So you wanna be a social media manager? (via socialcast)

Sounds pretty fun to me! After a brain-exploding day at Museums & the Web yesterday, I’m still excited to plow through twitter and various blogs to hear what others have to say. Wonders of social media never cease to amaze me…

Keep questioning,
Sara

April 7th, 2011

Currently live-tweeting from Museums & the Web, 2011!

Check it out! I’m at my first session waiting for them to dim the lights… about to hear about augmented reality & museums!

Keep questioning,
Sara

April 4th, 2011

Museums & the Web, 2011

A little more on my thesis: I’m going to be working with the Academy of Natural Sciences on a Google Earth project for their website. In my initial meeting with two people from the Academy, they mentioned an upcoming conference, hosted in Philadelphia, called Museums & the Web. My little ears perked up, and luckily, Penn State was able to get me registered!

I’ll be attending most of the workshops/talks on Thursday, and hopefully as much as I can on Friday and Saturday (though Friday I’m co-presenting at the Sigma Xi conference at St. Joe’s with some of my peers). If you’re interested, I’ll try to post as much from the conference as I can (I take COPIOUS amounts of notes when I go to conferences… I still have a ton I’ve been meaning to share from GSA last month and from the Gigapan conference back in November, eek!), but be sure to check out the link above (the title of this post) and the #mw2011 tags on twitter & flickr.

A list of ways to keep you connected:

Get connected, stay tuned, and keep questioning!
Sara

April 3rd, 2011

Museum Box: Create Virtual Museums

world-shaker:

revolutionizeed:

“If you could put a number of items into a box that described your life, what would you include? What do you think would be included if you were a Victorian Servant or Queen Elizabeth I. If you lived during the English Civil War, what items would you include to make a case for, or against, the parliamentarians? And what if you were an abolitionist and wanted to show that slavery was wrong and unnecessary, how would you create your evidence.

Museum Box provides the tools for you to do just this. It allows you to build up an argument or description of an event, person or historical period by placing items in a virtual box. You can display anything from a text file to a movie. You can also view the museum boxes submitted by other people and comment on the contents.”

Ooooh, shiny!

I concur with world-shaker: VERY shiny! I know I have yet to say much about my thesis & upcoming collaboration with the Academy of Natural Sciences, but this fits right in to the foundation of research I’m currently doing!

I’m looking at the use of social media and Google Earth in museums (science or natural history museums in particular), and this is a great example of a tool that’s been tailored to the informal education demographic.

I love that the drawers in the museum box include a 3D cube, with each side covered in information. Users can upload pictures, add text, links, and even share documents! This is really neat! I’d love to see space for collaboration and/or discussion, and maybe even adding some GigaPans (!) into the museum boxes.

Great work… definitely keeping my eye on this!

Keep questioning,
Sara

(Source: revolutionizeed)