Task+4

=Task 4: Getting Started with RSS=

Introduction
==
 * What is RSS?**
 * RSS** is a special type of computer code that allows users to know automatically when new "stuff" is added to their favorite websites. **RSS**, which stands for **Rich Site Summary**, or **Really Simple Syndication**, allows web users to **subscribe** to multiple websites and have new content **delivered to them automatically in one location**, called an **RSS reader** or aggregator. Instead of visiting each website to check for new information, the user simply **checks his or her reader**, which has **collected and organized all of the new content using RSS**. In short, when you set up an RSS reader and subscribe to the content (feeds) you choose, it's just like creating a customized newspaper or magazine containing **only** the stories, media and information you **want to read**, delivered "fresh" to you every day - spam-free, ad-free, and just-plain free!

Essentially, you (via your RSS reader) are **being __fed__ new content** (news, blog posts, journal articles, book and movie reviews, images, podcasts, etc). You don't have to go out and get it. It just comes to you.
 * Why is it called a feed?**

There are two basic parts to using RSS - first is the **feed**, which will be available as a link or icon on the website or blog you want to subscribe to, and second is the **reader** (or aggregator), which is the container that manages all of your subscriptions (or feeds). There are a number of different readers available. For this course, we will use Google Reader, a free, simple, browser-based reader. Basically, it's like this : **You visit a website you like**, **click the RSS feed/subscription link and add or paste the URL it into your** **reader**. Then, you visit your reader anytime you want to see what's new at **all of the sites** you have subscribed to.
 * What do I need to take advantage of this wonderful RSS stuff?**

Educators can use RSS feeds to **keep up-to-date with news items, favorite blogs, journal articles, book reviews or updated items from any area of interest, keep current in educational trends, track student blog posts or changes to a class wiki site, and share news or media items with students, colleagues and parents**. (For more information and ideas, see Will Richardson's [|RSS Quickstart for Educator's Guide]).
 * How can RSS help educators?**

Watch the following short video in which our friends at CommonCraft explain the essence of RSS. media type="custom" key="890709" If you have trouble viewing the video above, try: http://thecommoncraftshow.blip.tv/#209879 or http://www.commoncraft.com/rss_plain_english
 * RSS in Plain English** (3:45)

A couple more **RSS explanations** that may be helpful (not required): = =
 * [|It Really is Really Simple: RSS for Educators]: - Blog post by Mark Wagner
 * [|The ABC's of RSS] - Article by Will Richardson

**Discovery Exercise**

 * Set up your Google Reader and subscribe to some feeds:**

For this course, you will use Google Reader as your **RSS aggregator**.

Different sites present their feeds using different icons and links (though there is a current push for standardization). Most commonly, you will see an orange icon (like the one at the top of this page), or a link that says **Subscribe** or **Syndicate**, **RSS**, **XML** or **ATOM**. With a little practice, you can learn to easily locate and use the various subscription icons and links - we promise!


 * To subscribe to a feed**, you simply **click the icon or link** for the feed and **you will then see** either a **button to click** to add the feed to your Google Reader, or a page of "scary code" from which you **copy the URL and paste it** into the **Subscription** field of your Google Reader.


 * To set up your Google Reader,** simply visit http://google.com/reader and **log in with your Google Account**. (The first time you log in, you will see a welcome screen containing a brief introductory video).

A couple more Google Reader resources (if you need additional help): Webware: [|Newbies' Guide to Google Reader] Lifehack: [|How to Get Started with Google Reader]

Then, in __**another browser tab or window**__, visit the following sites and subscribe to the feed (or to a selected feed). __Step-by-step instructions__ for subscribing to some of the sites are available here (Note: the directions are for Firefox, so it might be //slightly// different for Safari). In the **Task** below, you will find instructions for "what to do" with the feeds after you have successfully subscribed.

A blog full of resources for integrating technology into the classroom. > A group blog "designed to help teachers and students thrive in the 21st century." Only updated about twice a month. >
 * The Required Feeds**
 * **I Learn Technology -** [|www.ilearntechnology.com]
 * **Infinite Thinking Machine** -[|http://www.infinitethinking.org]

Your Google Reader can read __any__ kind of RSS-syndicated content, such as news stories, images, video clips, bookmarks and podcasts. Try adding a news feed and a podcast feed to your reader. It works the same as a blog feed.
 * Two Stretch Feeds - Go Beyond Blogs...**

> Subscribe to __any area of interest__, such as education, books, music, health, top stories. > Subscribe to __any of 616 podcast offerings__ in a wide variety of categories. (**TIP**: Note __duration__ of podcast before subscribing.)
 * **New York Times** - http://www.nytimes.com/services/xml/rss/index.html
 * **NPR Podcasts** - http://www.npr.org/rss/podcast/podcast_directory.php?type=topic


 * HELP TIP:** If you **can't find** an RSS feed/subscription icon or link on a blog, just **copy and paste the main blog URL** (site address) into the **Add Subscription** box in your **Google Reader**, then click **Add**. The reader will "sniff" the site for a feed.


 * Task**


 * PART 1:** Get comfortable using your Google Reader. Read through (or listen to) the "new items" from the above subscription feeds in your Google Reader. This [|brief video] shows you how. **You are not expected to read every item thoroughly**, but rather to __scan and skim all items__ and read those that seem relevant, thought-provoking or interesting. You will need to click the **blue title** of an item to go to the actual site and read any **comments**. Be sure to **star** any items you want to save for later reference.


 * IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT YOUR READER: ** The content in your reader can be overwhelming because it will continue to "pile up" endlessly. BUT -- it's not actually there -- it hurts NOTHING for you to skim and skip items and mark them as "read" just by scrolling past them. You aren't actually deleting anything. In fact, learning to quickly scan and process a lot of news items is an essential part of RSS literacy and information management -- the important ideas will always come back around, and you will also learn to pare down your subscriptions as you go. If you feel compelled to thoroughly read every item, you will remain completely overwhelmed and quickly "quit" your reader. Keep trying -- it gets easier!


 * PART 2:** Write a reflective blog post telling about an item of interest from your reader. Provide a direct link to the item within your blog post. (**NOTE:** You will need to __visit the actual blog or website__ to get the link. Do not try to add a link from inside your reader -- your reader is just "pointing to" the actual content. Be sure to include "Task 4" in your post title.

(**HELP Video**: [|Using Google Reader to Read Your Feeds])