RSS

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Introduction
 RSS feeds help you keep track of content from webpages that are constantly updating or changing their information without actually having to visit each site individually. Keep current on topics related to subjects you teach or use it to create a set of links to resources for your students.

Begin by watching Common Craft's video [|"RSS in Plain English"] media type="youtube" key="0klgLsSxGsU" width="425" height="350"

Read Mark Wagner's article [|"It Really is Really Simple: RSS for Educators"] to learn how RSS feeds play a role in eduction.

In order to view RSS feeds, you must have an aggregator, also known as a Feed reader. There are a number of Feed Readers available on the web, but for the below Discovery Exercises we will all be using Google Reader.

Note: Google Reader is not included in the Google App Education Suite that we will be using this year.

Discovery Exercises
 To complete the exercises below, you must begin by setting up an [|RSS reader through your Google account.]


 * Note**: You must be signed into your Google account to create a reader and begin adding feeds.

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 * HELP**: [|How to get started with Google Reader.]

__Exercise 1__
 You have already set up a Google Reader account. Now, let's add some content. **Note**: To find out if a site has an RSS feed, look for this orange icon: or an "RSS" link at the website. If you can't seem to find either, simply add the website's URL into the "add subscriptions" box in your Google Reader and Google will fetch the RSS feed for you if the website has one.
 * Find five websites or blogs which update content often and interest you (news sites, topics in the subject you teach).
 * Add five websites to your Google Reader Subscriptions.
 * Develop reading habit.

__Exercise 2__
 Google Reader allows you to "mark" certain items you read and share them with friends who also use this reader. This way, you don't have to indivually email friends or colleagues when you find an article that may be of particular interest. You can simply place that item in your "Shared Items" folder, which any of your contacts who also have Google Reader can see in their own reader. 
 * Share an item you find in your Google Reader with Kelley (bcdslearning@gmail.com) and another new faculty member.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">A list of new faculty will be posted on the [|new faculty wiki.]
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Add a note to your item stating why you want them to read the item.
 * HELP**: [|Sharing and attaching a note to an item with friends on Google Reader.]

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">__Exercise 3__
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Google Reader doesn't just allow you to share an item with friends--you and your friends can "comment" on each other's shared items. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Add one comment to an item shared with you.
 * HELP**: [|Adding a comment to a shared item in Google Reader.]

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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Stretching Exercise
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> You can add RSS feeds from the databases the Beaver Library subscribes to in order to stay informed with new additions to the database and other information. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Log into one of[| Beaver's Databases] subscribe to its RSS feed (ex. [|ArtStor]).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Passwords to all Beaver Library Resources are posted on [|BCDS-101 Wiki.]

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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> All done with this module, don't forget to complete this form. media type="custom" key="4101297"