Week 2: RSS and RSS Readers

June 18 – 24

1. Definition of RSS:

Now that you have a blog and have begun to read other blogs, you need an easy way to keep up with all the new information.  RSS feeds allow you to do so without having to continually visit each site to see if anything new is there.  RSS stands for “real simple syndication” or “rich site summary” depending on who you ask.  Basically what RSS does is allow you to subscribe to a website so you can be notified each time the site is updated.    

Wikipedia defines RSS as ”a family of Web feed formats used to publish frequently updated content such as blog entries, news headlines, and podcasts. An RSS document (which is called a “feed” or “web feed” or “channel”) contains either a summary of content from an associated web site or the full text. RSS makes it possible for people to keep up with web sites in an automated manner that can be piped into special programs or filtered displays.
RSS content can be read using software called an “RSS reader”, “feed reader” or an “aggregator”, which can be web-based or desktop-based. The user subscribes to a feed by entering the feed’s link into the reader or by clicking an RSS icon in a browser that initiates the subscription process. The RSS reader checks the user’s subscribed feeds regularly for new content, downloading any updates that it finds and provides a user interface to monitor and read the feeds.”

Review the following resource:

RSS is Plain English: video created by leelefever on YouTube.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0klgLsSxGsU[/youtube]

2. Reasons for RSS and RSS Readers:

RSS is the scripting that allows people to subscribe to your website.  Most blogs and wiki pages (to be covered in week 4) automatically generate the script that is needed.  Readers or aggregators then use that script to bring in the latest content from the sites you subscribe to in one place for easy access.  So why should you subscribe to web pages or have a web page that others can subscribe to?  Here are a few reasons:

1. Get information from other resources and network members as they are updated.
2. Build a Personal Learning Network (PLN) by subscribing to other education blogs.  You’ll find that as you read other blogs and leave comments you’ll become a part of a network of learners from around the world. You will gain a large support team and several new friends as you collaborate back and forth.
3. Class Blogs – can easily monitor class blogs
4. Podcasts – subscribe to podcasts that offer professional development, study guides, reviews, etc.
5. Monitor / Research – news, sports, weather
6. Professional Development
7. Collaboration – get notification of changes on wikis
8. School News – (RRISD has an RSS feed on the headline portion of the web site)
9. Parents can subscribe to your blog and be notified when new info is posted  (think newsflash on TeacherWeb).

3. Examples of RSS in Education:

1. http://www.rss-specifications.com/rss-and-education.htm - a listing of 15 ways RSS is being used in education.
2. RSS Ideas in Education - an overview of RSS and links to more info of RSS in education.
3. Will Richardson’s Guide to RSS - a great resource and walks through RSS feeds including how to set them up, uses for in education and cool RSS feeds to check out.  (This is a pdf file and does require adobe acrobat to open.)
4. iTunes education http://www.apple.com/education/itunesu_mobilelearning/itunesu.html
5. http://www.roundrockisd.org/RSS/News.xml - RRISD news is syndicated
6. http://www.educational-feeds.com/
7. http://www.loc.gov/rss/cataloging/classlists.xml

4. Assignment:

1. Read and make comments on classmates’ blogs about last week’s journey on blogging - Check out the Weekly Comment Rotation to see which 3 blogs you are required to comment on.  You are welcome to comment on more than those three.  Links to each classmates blog can be found on the right hand column of this blog.  Refer to the About Comments Page for notes on commenting on blogs.  NOTE:  The rotation schedule has changed since it was originally published.  Please make sure you are using the current one.
2. To get started taking advantage of site providing RSS feed, you must first create an account with a Reader or Aggregator.  We recommend using one of these 3 readers:
   • Google Reader http://www.google.com/reader/view/#overview-page  (Google Reader is a basic cut and dry RSS Reader. I call this the Strait Forward Reader. No glimmer just guts! ) Google Reader is strictly a RSS reader.
   • Netvibes http://www.netvibes.com/#General (Netvibes is a more robust reader that allows you to group and categorize your feeds. I call this the Organized Reader. The busy professional usually likes this one.) Netvibes has lots of features via widgets as well as being a RSS reader. It is more of a start page
   • PageFlakes http://www.pageflakes.com/default.aspx (PageFlakes is a robust reader that allows you to personalize, beautify, and categorize your feeds and look. I call this the Flashy Reader. This is a great option for the visual learner.) PageFlakes has lots of features via widgets as well as being a RSS reader. It is more of a start page
   • Resources to Help You Choose Your reader:
     • Compare Google Reader and Netvibes here http://zachkollegger.com/archives/netvibes-vs-google-reader
     • Compare all readers and start pages here. http://mashable.com/2007/06/29/personalized-homepages/
3. Subscribe to all  of your Classmates’ Blog in Your Reader of Choice.  The blog list is being created on the right hand side of this web page as the students respond to the class blog leaving their newly created blog address. 
4. Subscribe to at Least 3 newOther Non-Classmates Blogs.   Leave a comment on the blog you are subscribing to, letting the blog writer know you are a reader and what about their blog is making you subscribe.  All bloggers want to know that someone is out there reading what they write.   Here are a few suggestions for places to start:
   • Feed finding tools:
     • Google Blog Search
     • Topix.net
     • Syndic8.com
     • Technorati Top 100 Blogs
   • Refer to the “Blogs to Check out” list on the right hand side of this blog and to the list of blogs provided in the Week 1 assignment
   • News organizations -
     • http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/blogs
     • http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/publiceye/main500486.shtml
     • http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/
5. Post to your own blog about RSS readers and a list of what blogs you subscribed to or Make Your Blog Post
   Answer these questions:
   a. What RSS reader did you chose and why?
   b. What “non-classmate” blogs did you subscribe to?
   c. What made you chose those blogs?
6. Complete Reflection questions (see question list below)

5. Software/Hardware used in this module:

Google Reader http://www.google.com/reader/view/#overview-page  

Netvibes http://www.netvibes.com/#General  

PageFlakes http://www.pageflakes.com/default.aspx  

6. Resources to Complete Assignments (Guides and Tutorials):

RSS is Plain English: video created by leelefever on YouTube.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0klgLsSxGsU[/youtube]

Netvibes Tutorial – a little long but good for those wanting details.

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=3L4Ix8bBDgs[/youtube]

Pageflakes Tutorial -

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=UAq4tanY0ao[/youtube]

iGoogle – not as serious or intense, but fun and gives you the basic idea. 

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=Pbf0dlESX8E[/youtube]

7. Reflection Questions

Create a post on your blog titled “Week 2 Reflection” and answer the following:

1. What did you learn?
2. How will you use what you have learned?
3. How did you feel about this tool?
4. What do you not want to forget about this tool?
5. How can this be used in the classroom or in your educational role?
6. Should you use this in the classroom or your educational role?
7. What questions do you still have about this tool?

Remember to check out the forum section of this blog to ask and help answer questions!   Next week – Podcasts!