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.
You made a good point about Google reader access to on an computer. I like Outlook better, because I think it looks cleaner, but I don't have Outlook setup on everyone of my computers that I access.
ReplyDeleteI liked my download reader better than the Google one also, but I didn't think about the advantage of using the reader on different computers. That is a very good point.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea when you stated it is a way to teach students how to use tid bits for information from the net sources, and also your comment of teaching students how to "write for the internet. Both very important things to know!
ReplyDeleteI appreciated your comment, "Writing a research paper and writing for a blog are vastly different styles". I remember in the Foundations class with Dr. Jurkowski that he told us towards the end of class that a majority of the students in that class did not like the blogging. I can see using it in a high school class, though. I see it as an opportunity for some students that wouldn't speak up and contribute to class to be able to open up in their writings if they were required to do posts like we are in this class.
ReplyDeleteBlogging and academic writing are definitely two very different animals! They both take time and practice, and some people just don't like the two different styles.
ReplyDeleteIt's remarkable how far we've come in so short a time. I remember doing high school projects at the library, stuff that I use the web for all the time now. Oh I would have LOVED to have had RSS then!
Great post and you're the 2nd person who wrote in blog style even though you used Google Docs to create the post :) Yes yes, writing for a blog is different than writing for a paper even if you use the same research method. Great work!
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