A newbe (or wannabe) at blogging

My search methods and the databases I employ to collect information are pretty primitive right now. I am having a whole new world opened to me and I am beginning to understand the value of Diigo and google reader. I have had scraps of paper laying around and filed away where I have written down web addresses I've wanted to save. These organizational sites are going to be very helpful, as I begin to understand how to use them. Typicallly, I have used my public library's data bases for searches. In determining validity of a site, I have often tried to find state or federal historical society sites or sites that represent a state educational institution. Another check for validity I have used is if the site is endorsed by or representive of the author of the material I might be researching. I think in terms of teaching students to engage in effective searching, it is important to begin with a credible database. As far as podcasts, a starting place is the Education Podcasting Network and podcast.com. In the literature content area, www.learnoutloud.com has a pretty large collection of free materials. I think that's one of the questions - is there a budget or am I looking for free material. My current use of podcasting I am pretty excited about. I've used Audacity to record a book some students I'm working with were requested to read and made it into an MP3 file that they can download off my website. The book is not one that has likely been made into an audio book, nor is it one they'd likely go out and buy but I think it's worth listening to. Plus, it's good practice for me.