RSS+SU2012

=RSS (Real Simple Syndication) =



[|RSS feeds] is a way to access new, updated information on websites, blogs, online newspapers, etc. all in one location (on your RSS Reader).
 * __Definition (in layman terms) __**

For the computer savvy, RSS utilizes the [|XML code] of websites, blogs, online newspapers, etc. This code is called a "feed", hence RSS //feed//,and allows individuals to "subscribe" to the content. The specific type of software us called an "aggregator". An aggregator checks feeds you subscribe to and then collects new, updated content from the site at specific time intervals (typically every hour).
 * __Definition (...for the computer savants)__**

A Mailbox or an “Aggregator” needs to be set up to collect all your feeds/ subscriptions (We suggest Google reader as does Richardson but MY Yahoo, Msn and many other offer this option)
 * Easy Steps to setting up a RSS **
 * Step #1 **

Now you can add subscribers to send feeds and updates two ways // First way: // You can find this icon on your favorites websites and become a Subscriber simply by clicking the icon // Second way: // Is by coping the URL and manually adding the subscription into your reader
 * Step#2 **

Google search and find great new feeds and subscribe
 * Step #3 **

This video is easy to use and gets straight to the point on RSS http://youtu.be/0klgLsSxGsU.


 * __Here are a few things RSS feeds allows you to do (as a human being): __**
 * Scroll through new feeds on different websites without having to go to each website (just like you can scroll through your email on Outlook).
 * Get updates on your favorite websites, blogs and news sites by simply looking at your desktop screen. (The updates come to you!)
 * Eliminate annoying advertisements, extraneous links, pop-ups, etc. that can come along with viewing the actual webpages themselves.
 * Organize your feeds (the different websites you have subscribed on your RSS feed list) into different folders so that you can choose to just scroll through all the touring bike feeds and not the teacher apps feeds
 *  Provide ability to share helpful feeds with others easily (and being able to select who you share the feed to - for instance, whether I want to share it with my students, Dr. Turner, or my bike buddies).
 * Scan through feeds via topics. Beyond just having different folders for feeds that I subscribe to, I can tag feeds according to topics. For instance, I may tag all the bike gear feeds under "bike gear" and all the Eastern States bike routes under "ES Bike Routes." Later on, I will have accumulated a whole list of feeds under a particular tag that I may utilize preparing for my next bike adventure.


 * __Some of the things that RSS feeds can allow you to do (as a teacher): __**
 * If my students create individual blogs (which I think is a good idea otherwise I can see them messing up each others' writing if it was all in one blog), I can easily access the new blogs they have created easily with my RSS Reader. This is awesome in that I don't have to click through dozens of student created blogs!
 * If my students have an RSS feed reader they can subscribe to my different teacher feeds such as homework assignments, latest, coolest student application, or the differences in distance and gas usage with crossing the country on bike vs. car.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif;">...want grander?! We, as a class, can monitor specific issues that we find relevant and interesting and incorporate them into our daily/weekly lessons.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif;">Students can use the RSS feeder to help or motivate one another. Is students have their own blogs with RSS feeders they can monitor the useful messages that both I and their classmates have on their work and incorporate those suggestions.


 * __<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif;">Some of the things that RSS feeds can allow you to do (as a digital native/student): __**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif;">RSS feeds support the new literacy defined by the NCTE for students of the twenty-first century:
 * <span style="font-family: Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Grande,sans-serif;">//"Twenty-first century readers and writers need to manage, analyze, and synthesis multiple streams of simultaneous information"// (Richardson 72).
 * <span style="font-family: Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Grande,sans-serif;"> Students, through RSS feeds, are able to collect information amid the plethora of sites online and determine the quality and what is most relevant. Students need this skill to succeed in the new digital world.
 * Improve ability to scan texts.


 * __<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif;">Creating an RSS Feed Reader: __**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif;">Dr. Turner assigns you to an expert group.

<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif;">You pray that a digital native could do your assignment for you.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif;">No answer to your prayers.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif;">Read RSS Feed chapter in "Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts" by Will Richardson OR read through the next few steps below.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif;">Sign up to Google Reader (https://www.google.com/reader)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif;">Start by searching through different topics you may want to subscribe to by clicking the big read Subscribe button on the top left side of the reader. (e.g. touring bike).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif;">Google Reader will give you a list of recommended RSS feeds you can subscribe to as well as how many subscribers to each feed (e.g. Bicycle Touring Pro, Bicycle Touring 101, etc. etc.)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif;">Now this is the step I recommend but it's annoying: open another page in which you can google and find the actual pages to each of the feeds you are considering subscribing to and scan through the pages to see if you think it really gives you good bike information or if its bogus.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif;">Subscribe to all the non-bogus feeds that Google recommends by clicking the blue +subscribe button under the specific feed you want to subscribe to.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif;">Wala! You now have a very basic RSS feed.


 * __<span style="font-family: Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Grande,sans-serif;">Quick, helpful tips (for all users) __**
 * <span style="font-family: Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Grande,sans-serif;">Establish a method of organization, such that your RSS feeds are organized into folders. For instance, you can have a folder for biking, another for hiking, and so on. The organization should be suit the needs of the user.
 * <span style="font-family: Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Grande,sans-serif;">Don't read everything (unless you have this much time on your hands).
 * <span style="font-family: Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Grande,sans-serif;"> If using Google Reader, simply scan through posts and *star* posts that that you want to read later.
 * If using Google Reader, download Google Gears so you can read post whether or not you're online. This makes long, wifi-less commutes more bearable.
 * You can combine RSS feeds at RSSmix.com

__** Imaginative Ways to use RSS in the classroom **__
If you have a blog created for you class with WordPress, TypePad, or Blogger, by using Blog2Print you can produce a book directly from your blog’s RSS feed. The book can be bonded, with pictures, color or black/white and hardcover. This can work great for a class to see what they have produced throughout the year. Also, for students to publish their work.
 * Create a book **

By using Dipity’s Dipity RSS you can build an interactive timeline. This can be a great tool to show midyear for a quick summary of what has been covered in the class. This can result in a cool timeline similar to a YouTube Video.
 * Create an interactive timeline **

By creating a specific email and reader for your class, you can have custom newsfeeds for the class and students can use this as resources for current events and papers.
 * Create Custom Newspaper **

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