4a. RSS – Google Reader

The What

You may have heard the term RSS (also commonly referred to as feeds) or seen the icon on some of your favorite websites, but what exactly is RSS, and how does it work?

RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication and it is a file format for delivering regularly updated content information over the web. You can find RSS feeds of practically any type of content on the web (articles, news, audio, photos, web searches, etc), and on virtually any topic that interests you.

RSS can be a powerful addition to your Personal Learning Environment because you can have content of your choosing delivered right to you with an RSS aggregator or reader. RSS readers are computer programs that organize your desired feeds for easy reading and management. Readers can be web-based (Google Reader, Bloglines), browser-based (Internet Explorer, Firefox), or available for download onto your computer (Feed Reader, FeedDemon). Learn more about the different types of readers and select one that best suits your work style. Feed readers are also available for cell phones and PDAs.

The Why

Accessing RSS feeds is easy to do, but why is RSS such an important tool for your Personal Learning Environment? With RSS you have the ability to control, customize, and manage your subscriptions, and to make efficient use of the time you have for professional development and professional reading. “A learning environment that contains RSS feeds becomes dynamic; the contents of those feeds are what makes it dynamic.”(Emerging Technologies for Learning, 2007–PDF). You control a world of information at your fingertips!

The How

Discovery Exercise

  1. Start by creating a Google Reader account at https://www.google.com/accounts/ManageAccount.
  2. Sign up for the Colorado Libraries blog, and at least one other subscription on a topic of your choice (view suggestions below)
  3. Read and comment on at least one feed this week.

The job aid Setting up Google Reader (PDF – need Adobe Reader?) will give you step by step instructions to help you complete the discovery exercise.

Finding Feeds

So, where do you find feeds that might interest you? Once again, many websites indicate available feeds with the RSS icon. A simple Google search of your topic +blog or +rss will lead you to some feeds, and often the feeds you follow will lead you to other experts on that topic that offer feeds.

If the format of Google Reader or other RSS aggregators does not appeal to you, or you simply do not want to have to remember to login to yet one more site, you can use a service like Feed My Inbox to have blog posts, news items and such sent directly to your email inbox. It is a simple as typing in the URL of the feed you want, and once daily the posts will appear in your email inbox

Managing your feeds

Once you begin using your reader, you may find you are overwhelmed by the amount of content in your reader each day. Some tips to try are:

  • Scan, Scan, Scan
  • Employ Steve Spalding’s 26 Second Rule which was originally written for email, but applicable to RSS feeds as well. You should be able to scan your feed headlines and in 26 seconds decide if you need to review the item in more depth, forward the item to a colleague, or delete the item.
  • Limit how often you view your feeds during the day
  • Create categories of feeds and prioritize what and when you view
  • Learn to use the tools in your available in your reader to manage your feeds.
  • Periodically review what feeds bring you the most benefit, and unsubscribe from feeds that no longer fit your needs or interest.

Worried about missing something crucial? Don’t be. In that same article, Spalding states that …“A secret to Web 2.0 is that it should more aptly be called the Repetition Web.” Items that are truly important will surface again, and again.

More for the Curious

Online

Links to products or applications

Web Based
Download
Browser based
  • AOL, Internet Explorer, and Firefox all have feed aggregating capability.
Links to similar technology or applications that bring content to you
Blogs to get you started

 

Personal Learning Environments | Next up: 4b. Personalized Homepages – iGoogle

About the Author

Christine Kreger

Christine Kreger

Christine Kreger is the Technology and Digital Initiatives Consultant for the Colorado State Library and Colorado Plinkit Coordinator. Christine has over 20 years of public library experience including reference, AskColorado, technology training, and website development. She received her MLS from Emporia State University in 2003. http://www.linkedin.com/in/ckreger