RSS FEEDS__Harding again___

RSS Feeds

I have never used the RSS feeds before.  I found that they were quite useful for what I do on the internet and could see them used in a variety of ways schools and in the workplace.  In schools teachers could pick specific sites for students to collect information.  It could be used for research, current events, latest science news and many more.  Professionally, a teacher could run feeds to professional development sites and current news on their profession.  For the business person, they could do the same, keying in on the latest news and developments and their profession.

At home, a person could run RSS feeds to news, sports, or whatever their interest may be.  Having an interest in the stock market, I have put in a number of my favorite websites concerning the stock market.  I also have weather, sports and some computer websites plugged into my feed.

The two RSS feeders I chose were Google Reader and FeedDemon.  I found that Google Reader was much easier to use, especially when it came to adding websites.  If there was no RSS icon posted, I could simply highlight the URL and paste it into the Google Reader.  From there Google Reader would access the site and post it with the other RSS feeds.

FeedDemon was a little harder to set up as far as collecting websites.  I did not find a place where you could copy and paste the URL.  However, I liked the features that FeedDemon had to offer better than Google Reader.  I found that FeedDemon was better because it was easier to read and access specific information.  FeedDemon also has the ability to collect the information from other readers, like Google Reader, so that you only have to go to FeedDemon to get all of your information.

Setup Google Reader was easier than FeedDemon.  With Google Reader, all I had to do was click the button and since I already had an account with Google, Google Reader did the rest.  I simply had to supply Google Reader with the RSS feeds that I wanted.

With FeedDemon, I first had to find the software on the internet.  After that, I downloaded the software and loaded it just like any other software.  So, the installation was a little harder that with Google Reader.  However, once FeedDemon was installed, it asked me if I wanted to link to my Google Reader and have those feeds added to FeedDemon.  All I had to do was click a button and FeedDemon added my Google Reader feeds to its list.

I can see using RSS feeds as an advantage for teachers and students.  The initial phases and implementation of RSS feeds could be difficult.  First you would need to get your technology staff onboard.  They would need to check firewalls and securities through the server.  That in itself could cause a number of teachers to throw in the towel.  Then you would need to plan for training for the teachers and time for them to get used to it.  Training would take at least a half a day of in-service, giving teachers time to set up and find good resources to use themselves and share with students.  Students would need to be taught on how to use RSS feeds. “Overall, it seems that it was useful and helpful to integrate blogs and RSS feeds into our pre-service course. However, through our experience, we noticed several barriers that need to be resolved before the students are able to effectively use the tools.” (West, R., Wright, G., Gabbitas, B., & Graham, C., 2006)  If this could be done as a technology lesson in the technology class, then there could be time saved in that.  In the case of middle school, it would need to be added in the 6th grade year so that students could take advantage of it throughout the middle school years and on.  

For student, RSS feeds would have to constantly updated and monitored to ensure they had feeds concerning the topics they were covering.  It would be a waste to have materials concerning a sixth grade class when you’re working on an eighth grade topic.  There would also be the concern of students not having the same abilities to use RSS feeds at home.  Everything would have to be in-class.

There are advantages to using RSS feeds in the classroom for teachers, as well as students.  Teachers can have access to a number of their favorite sites at the click of a button.  They would be getting the latest information posted to them without having to go out and look at each website over and over.  As for student, it is a skill that needs to be learned anyway.  Many colleges and universities are already incorporating RSS feeds into their classes as a means for research.  Purdue conducted a study on the use of RSS feeds and found the following. “This study found that including a RSS feed as part of the course created opportunities for further
research into the effective use of RSS feeds in education.” (Lee, M. W., Miller, C., & Newnham, L., 2008).
    There are a number of websites available for a person that would want to pursue the use of RSS feeds into their profession or as part of their instruction.  These sites can give you the basic ideas of the advantages and disadvantages of using RSS feeds and information on using technology as a means of instruction in the work place and in the classroom.
Pros and Cons of RSS Feeds
Feed for All
Tech & Learning

References

West, R., Wright, G., Gabbitas, B., & Graham, C. (2006). Reflections from the Introduction of Blogs and RSS Feeds into a Preservice Instructional Technology Course. TechTrends: Linking Research & Practice to Improve Learning, 50(4), 54-60. doi:10.1007/s11528-006-0054-9

Lee, M. W., Miller, C., & Newnham, L. (2008). RSS and content syndication in higher education: subscribing to a new model of teaching and learning. Educational Media International, 45(4), 311-322. doi:10.1080/09523980802573255

Harding___RSS

RSS feeds could have a place in the education system.  Depending on how they're used.  I think a teacher would have to carefully monitor what students were getting.  Teachers and admin could benefit on a variety of news, especially with knowing what is going on in their profession. 
One thing I noticed from Google Reader vs FeedDemon is that no matter what computer I'm on, Google Reader is there.  Doesn't work with the one I d_loaded.
  I read the other two posts and didn't see the URL for their paper.  Did I goof on this or not see it?   Someone, will you email or message me on FB if I'm wrong. 

Here's my URL for my paper..

https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1B5nETFQvB_fCYDduNtvAWm4cYYz7CaUZs9KwjIgmOjk

Have a Great week..

OS cont.__ Harding

Also .. VLC is a great video player.. Plays about everything.  Haven't found a video yet that it won't play.

Just a note..

Open Source ____Harding

Okay..  Here is my understanding of Open Source.   It is not exactly FREEWARE, but it is software that that can be modified and then put out as freeware.  some of the Open Source site that I like are GIMP, Mozilla, and VLC.

GIMP is a photo editing software much like Photoshop.  I use both and find that there are very few functions that Photoshop offers that you can't get with GIMP.  Any person wanting to do photo editing can use this software and save tons of money and still get pretty much the same effects.  And like all the others, there are tons of videos online to show you how to use it.  GIMP has recently added some new features, but I haven't looked at them yet.. 

Mozilla is another OS that I use.  I was first introduced to it at school because in tended to be faster than its counterpart Internet Explorer.  Mozilla also offers a bunch of apps that you can use with Mozilla.  One of my favorites is the Video Download helper.  Instead of ZAMZAR, another OS, you just click and it records the video.  There's a new app now called PRISM.  I just YOUTUBED it.  Looks pretty good.

Linux ..  Don't know much about it yet, but I have a bunch of parts from my last rebuild and might make a comuter that is totally OS..  LINUX is an OS operating system that runs your preograms, like Windows except its free.  Don't know much about the pros vs cons of the system, but thought I might give it a try to see how far I can go.  I use Windows because I have it..  For Now..

Anyway..  Going to the right places and using OS's can save lots of money (that I, personally, don't have).

First Blog

It Thursday  (1-13-11)..  Been out of school for 3 days now because of snow..  Good thing I have my computer games and Edenpure heater.
  A little about me.  I'm Ken.  Been married for going on 28 years.  I have two kids.  One is out of college and is getting married this June and the other is in her 3rd year at MSSU (Dental Hygiene).  So we are in the boom-a-rang effect with kids, they keep coming home about every weekend to eat and do their laundry, then take off again.  Sometimes they make off with a little cash or gas.
  I'm on my second career as a teacher.  My first career was with the Coast Guard.
  I really like the outdoors.  My favorite hobby is fishing and hunting.  After that, about anything that is on or in the water.  Can't wait for the warm weather to come back. 
  I also enjoy playing around on the computer.  I like playing strategy games.  The big one right now is Starcraft II.  Sounds kind of wierd, but there has been a bunch of us that have played the game for years.  Since we live in different states now, we keep in touch through the game.
  The latest book I finished was "Payback Time" by Phil Town.  It's an investment book.  http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=payback+time
I read the first book and followed his strategies, and have done pretty good. 21% return over 3 years.