google reader

OK, I think I've finally done it. Because the workings of RSS feeds and readers are new to me,and I'm so cautious with what I'm doing (I read all the popup ads because I need to make sure it's not something important...), it took me most of the morning to open a google account and put my IDE 611 blog group into my subscriptions (I must admit, I subscribed to a few other sites to see how it worked). I'm still learning. Google reader has another how-to video that was pretty simple: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSPZ2Uu_X3Y
I still have a ways to go... I can't get this URL to appear as a direct link! Anyway, I know the difference between a RSS feed, which is the information- the subscription address you need to get automatic updates from the website. The reader is where they go, so I can see everything new in one place. I'm hoping this will make web navigation easier, and save a bunch of time. The best part will be that I can see new blogs on my blog buddies, and know when to post, instead of trying to remember to "go and check" once or twice a week. I'll keep you posted!

RSS makes sense

OK, I watched the videos that Mehkta suggested on Youtube, and now I’m hooked on Youtube tutorials! Because I am so slow to catch on, it took this video to really make it clear why I need to learn about RSS feeds. This one gives background and context to the RSS concept: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irnGua_yhvk&feature=related
Now I get it. I grew up with card catalogs, and even used one for my Masters thesis- I am definitely a “digital immigrant” (Marc Prensky, 2001), so this technology comes to me much slower to me than to most people. But now I finally get it. I don’t have a way to manage information well, and am constantly feeling like I’m missing something. I need an RSS feed! It will customize news, blogs and notes just for me- so I only get the information I want from the Web, just as Andrew said. And I won’t have to spend hours of aimless “surfing” to find the information that interests me the most- sounds great.
My personal challenge will be to make my own RSS feed/reader (sorry, I’m still not sure of the right terminology) this week- I’ll let you know how it goes, but I’m guessing it will take longer than the 2 minutes it takes the guys on the videos. For instance, I don’t have my own website, so I’m wondering where to put this information I want to funnel to me. I think I’ll use this article, as I do best with a written guide: http://www.mygtdstuff.com/2008/04/simple-guide-to-rss.html Wish me luck!

RSS

RSS- Really Simple Syndication, or Rich Site Summary.. ..I’d never heard of it before this class, and I never had that “computers101” class, so I’m hoping you guys can help me understand. I found this link to be helpful, but I have a long way to go, as I don’t know what XML means, either. I'll post when I know more...

“RSS is an XML-based vocabulary for distributing Web content in opt-in feeds. Feeds allow the user to have new content delivered to a computer or mobile device as soon as it is published.” (http://searchwindevelopment.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid8_gci813358,00.html – accessed 9/07/08)

OK, I'm starting to catch on to blogs. This week's assignment and readings helped quite a bit. In some situations, like Kevin's example of ESL students, I can see where practice writing to a larger audience would be great practice, and the feedback/comments would be encouraging and motivating for the student.
As always, the pedagogy drives the technology used in teaching/learning situations, and not the other way around. As much as I enjoy "playing" with the new tech tools, software, etc., I'm cautious about introducing it into a classroom (or virtual classroom), until I'm sure it will be worth the time invested for students to learn the technology. My content areas (nursing theory, history, etc) are my main focus, and I'm concerned that students get so caught up in learning the tool ( a blog, video-conferencing, even the learning platform is confusing to some students), that it distracts from the learning objectives. Is anyone else feeling conflicted about this? I'm thinking that just because we can, doesn't mean we should... any thoughts?

Week #2

Week 2, and I'm learning alot about blogs, though I'm still not sure about navigating through my own yet. I see the value of an organizational blog to elicit public opinions and share happenings, news, resources with interested people.