RSS+Feeds

media type="custom" key="111622" toc =RSS Overview=

RSS stands for Really Simply Syndication or Rich Site Summary. Here is how RSS is explained on Wikipedia. "**RSS** is a family of [|web feed] formats used to publish frequently updated content such as [|blog] entries, news headlines or [|podcasts]. An RSS document, which is called a "feed," "web feed," or "channel," contains either a summary of content from an associated web site or the full text. RSS makes it possible for people to keep up with their favorite web sites in an automated manner that's easier than checking them manually. RSS content can be read using [|software] called a "feed reader" or an "[|aggregator]." The user subscribes to a feed by entering the feed's link into the reader or by clicking an RSS icon in a browser that initiates the subscription process. The reader checks the user's subscribed feeds regularly for new content, downloading any updates that it finds." You can also watch this video to get an explanation of RSS in "plain English". media type="youtube" key="0klgLsSxGsU" width="425" height="350"

**Uses of RSS in Education**
There are numerous blogs, websites, podcasts and other online resources that are targeted towards teachers. Trying to read and keep up with all this information can be overwhelming so it can be helpful to learn how to subscribe to those sites and blogs that you find most interesting. By subscribing to a particular feed you get to see the up to date information on multiple sites and blogs in one central location through a RSS aggregator or personalized start page like the ones listed below.

Specific Ideas for using RSS in a k-12 Setting
Click here to add or view a lesson plan or idea for using this technology in the classroom.

**Relevant Online Tools**

 * RSS Feed Creators & Aggregators: These sites allow you to create feeds for your own blog or website as well as provide a central location where you can view several feeds from blogs, podcasts and websites that you might want to subscribe to.
 * [|NewsGator]
 * [|Feedreader]
 * [|Bloglines]
 * Personalized Start Pages: These are tools that allow you to create your very own "Start" page. You can log into your personalized start page from any computer and have it set as your default on your personal computer so that it displays whenever you launch your browser. These tools have various features but they allow you to select the different feeds (from blogs, websites, podcasts and more) that you want to follow. That way, each time you launch your browser you can immediately see the most up to date information from the sites and blogs you want to follow.
 * [|Protopage]
 * [|Netvibes]
 * [|My Yahoo]
 * [|Inbox.com]
 * [|Poodwaddle]

**Relevant Articles or other Readings**

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**Other Relevant Sources of Information (Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, Discussion Forums etc.)**
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