The Basics of RSS

         “The Basics of RSS,” simply because just a little over a week ago, I had no idea what RSS meant. I can now tell you that RSS means “Really Simple Syndication” and is a method of providing website content such as news or software updates in a standard XML format.  Basically, if you follow a variety of news sources, magazines or blogs you can have them all in one location, therefore saving time because you do not need to go to each individual site. Forget about bookmarking sites in your web browser, email updates or visiting your favorite sites — these all take time and time is precious. 

    I choose to use both Google Reader and RSS Owl when experimenting to see how online versus download RSS differed. I didn’t have a problem setting up or loading either of the software programs. I think both programs are very user friendly.

I have used Google Docs before so the look and feel was very similar for the Reader. The big advantage that I see with Google Reader is that it doesn’t matter where I am or which computer I am on, I have easy access to the blogs that I follow. Everything is always updated and just waiting for me to come to the Reader to view the latest news.

In RSS Owl the look and feel reminded me of some of the Micro Soft programs such as Outlook, with the larger icons across the top to navigate through the program. I must admit that I like the layout and easy use of this software better than the Google Reader. It was a cleaner look and easier to read the different articles. Switching between magazines or blogs was easier than with Google Reader as well.

   
         Because the easy of set-up with both programs I think this is something anyone could do. In a school setting I would probably lean towards an online program because many times students will not always be at the same computer or may want to keep up over the weekend/summer and an online reader would certainly make it easier.

    I think the most obvious use of RSS in the classroom is to track one another’s blogs and to then to make comments. It is an easy way to engage the entire class, especially if some of the students are a little more reserved, everyone gets a chance to read and comment without feeling intimidated. One blog I found concerning RSS, which ironically was written in 2006, I had no idea RSS had been around that long, indicated that RSS was important because it was teaching students how to write for the internet and how to read bits of information. Writing a research paper and writing for a blog are vastly different styles. It helps if students can easily see and track how things of written for the digital media.  When it comes to reading, can you imagine standing the library visually scanning a variety of magazines, journal or newspapers for the topic you are looking for? It is much easier with a reader to scan quickly or search for keywords.

    Some of the websites that I have found to follow are 21st Century Ed Tech and Master New Media. Now sometimes the articles from Master New Media, or actually more times than not, the articles from Master New Media are over my head. But I do find them fascinating and enjoy learning about the possibilities out there even if it isn’t something that I could use in my career. There have been several articles in the 21st Century Ed Tech feed that I have enjoyed and debating using myself. Recently there was an article concerning resources available online from the Library of Congress and also a free professional development opportunity from the Discovery Channel.

        I have learned an enormous amount of information on RSS and it is certainly something that I will continue to use. I am not sure I have committed to one reader over another just yet, but I will certainly use one to save time and manage my resources.

Open Source Applications

Open source is something that I am just becoming familiar with in the last semester or so. I do remember when I was in college (orginally) my husband using shareware software but never really gave it a whole lot of thought. I am now beginning to understand that shareware may have been the beginning of open source applications even though today there are differences between the two.

There are several different types of applications including opens source, free ware and proprietary. Open source applications are ones that are available to anyone and are free for your use. However, the unusual idea behind open source is that anyone can update, change, add, etc to the software. Everyone works together to make the software better.  Freeware or shareware is sometimes free but it does not allow other people to adapt or change the software. Propriety software of course is going to cost money to pay for the license and does not allow for any changes.

For an open source application to be approved as on open source it must go through OSI (open source initiative). OSI is the keeper of the definition of open source documents and also is the one to approve and review license. You can find more information about this organization at: http://www.opensource.org/

One of the first open source documents that I found was Mozilla. This is an internet web browser and would be similar to Internet Explorer. My husband is a strong supporter of Mozilla and I must admit I had no idea it was an open source document until I started researching for this blog. I don’t really notice much difference between Mozilla and Explorer so I think it would be a great substitute for someone needing a no cost web browser. http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

Another source that I was introduced to last semester was Open Office. I used it for one project and it worked well. Open Office would be compared to Microsoft Office in that it has applications similar to word, excel, power point, etc.  Obviously, this would be a huge benefit to students, families and school because of the cost savings.  It would introduce students to word processing and spreadsheets and would allow them to easily transfer what they have learned to Microsoft products when it became available to them.  http://why.openoffice.org/why_edu.html

Introduction

Hello my name is Michelle Taylor and I am taking classes towards a Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning. I received my BS and MS from UCM a few years ago.

I am currently working for UCM as the Staff Development Specialist. I develop training for faculty and staff on topics revolving around Human Resources (Hiring, Firing, Performance Appraisals, etc.). However, I am also able to do some fun things such as Colors Personalities and team building.

The book that I am currently reading is Bringing Up Girl's by James Dobson. I have 5 yr and 10 yr old girls so it is a practical read for me right now. I am really enjoying the book and it has given me several things to think about as well as some good laughs. Raising girls to be self-confident, assured young ladies with good character, is a challenge in today's society. There was been one chapter that contained interviews with college students where they were able to pin point very specific things their parents said or did that had made a lasting impression (some positive and some negative). Living in the moment is such a catch phrase these days, however, I think many times most of us don't live in the moment...we are too worried about the next event or activity. 

While there may not be anything earth shattering it provides a gentle reminders that parenting needs to be intentional and that it requires sacrifice.

http://www.amazon.com/Bringing-Girls-Practical-Encouragement-Generation/dp/1414301278/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

I do think people still read but not as much as they use to.