Allows me to pick which pulses I have my finger on. Ian Usher
Topic or Tool: An RSS Reader. Do you really care what RSS stands for? Me neither.
What does it cost? FREE.
How it could be used for teaching? Too many to list but let me assure you its very straightforward.
Lets start with the very basics. One of the best tools for managing information flow is an RSS aggregator or “feed reader.” Should you desire more information then RSS in Plain English should do the trick. There are lots of feed readers to choose from, but you can’t go to far wrong with Google Reader. Later, when you are comfortable with RSS, by all means be picky, but for now, I only have 5 minutes.
Step one – sign up.
Step two – subscribe to your favourite news sites, blogs and other RSS content and be notified when new information is posted.
That is it but be warned RSS will have a significant impact on how you consume online content. From now on the flow of information is now towards you.
FYI – Google Reader has appeared in Jane Harts (C4LPT) Top Tools for Learning since she started polling educators in 2007. RSS personally delivers to you an endless source of whatever I want to read! This is one of the most powerful professional tools you will ever use.
Please don’t think that is all Google Reader has to offer. But for now, that will get you started. For desert there is starring, sharing and following, just waiting to be discovered.
(This post was written for Helen Caldwell, Vital.ac.uk Regional Manager for the SE.)
