Learning to use RSS Feed

RSS is a common term used in the virtual world called the World Wide Web. The “Net” is a wonderful tool most of us use every day to accomplish small tasks such as looking up the correct spelling of a word and its’ meaning to making soap.  The World Wide Web has opened so many doors that we have become somewhat bombarded with information. We search the net to find the most credible resources for writing papers, learning to cook, and rear our children but, what happens if we are time constricted? Have you ever had one of those days where you had literally three minutes to read what has been recently posted on a site that you frequent? Well, RSS, Rich Site Summary (What is RSS, n.d.), is the answer to your scheduling crunch.

RSS creates a direct connection to you by delivering updated information that has been recently posted by your selected web sites. For instance, if you are a “gossip girl”, then you may frequent http://www.etonline.com/, this is the Entertainment Tonight web site that gives all the celebrity gossip, if this is the case then you would want to subscribe to their RSS feed in order to see the most updated information. You can do this by selecting the RSS feed icon that is orange with white stripes. You will then get the information delivered to your preferred reader. Now, that is the next step in this world of instant gratification. What is a reader?

What is a reader? A reader is a tool that is used to connect you the viewer to information you have selected to be added into your daily activities. I selected the Google reader which worked really well for me. The set up was extremely easy as I have had a Gmail account for some time so I just had to go on and select that I wanted a reader and Gmail/Google did all the work for me. They even had a video tutorial on how to use the reader and what types of information you can read. I have to say that I do have a short attention span and Google reader is my friend to the end…now. Google reader has a built in reading feature that allows you to see what you have read verses what you have not. Each item that has not been read is in a colored box that changes after you have read it. It really makes it easy to maneuver through all of those RSS feeds you have selected to have “fed” to you.

There is another type of reader which is web based. I chose to load the Sage reader that is a part of Firefox. Honestly, I do not like this reader as it was a little tricky to install. I first had to find the appropriate site to download it, which took a couple of tries. Then, I had to figure out how it worked because there was not a “tutorial” video or write up. I might have missed it as there was a lot of typed information in the same area but, I did not read through it all. I have to say now that I have been using it I really do not care for the way it is set up. I feel overwhelmed every time I access it as there is nothing but lists of things that need to be read. There aren’t any pretty color boxes to help me navigate through the oodles and oodles of information. All I can really count on is that if it is not bold I have read it. Also, Google reader seems to be more widely recognized as in the drop down when you select to have the RSS feed.

I think that reader would be a wonderful tool to have students and teachers use in their educational experience. It would be easy to teach them how to load and Google does a majority of the work for them. Another feature would also have to be the complementary tools that come with a Goggle account. You can share documents and create view groups to work on projects. It would be easy to have a teacher update a web site daily with activities that are fed to Google reader for the student to view. The student could then go to their assigned work groups’ documents and make the necessary additions required by the posted RSS fed assignment. What about snow days? Teachers could send information for assignments via web and the feed would then connect students to it. No hassle for the teacher or the student. What about the parents? Well, it would be a wonderful way to monitor what their children have been studying in class and what assignments have been assigned to work on in groups or at home.

I have found so many wonderful sites that I have learned from just by exploring Educational News. http://www.zdnet.com/blog/education/short-on-space-and-cash-try-an-interactive-projector/4462 is a wonderful place to find new technology for the classroom and see how it can help you become more affective. Interactive learning is going international, or maybe it has always been I just had not noticed, http://www.guardian.co.uk/classroom-innovation/bett-2011-review-ict-schools-technology is showing new ways to connect with the classroom and doing it worldwide. China is really moving forward in education. First, they send their children to school at age 3, which in my opinion is the ideal age. Next, they have formed the world’s largest online learning center. I know, http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mychineselearning-together-with-bjchinesebjeducn-launches-online-chinese-learning-for-global-chinese-language-students-114640059.html, PR Newswire is not a Educational Technology web site but, in some cases it is because PR seems to always have great articles about new technology throughout the world not just US based news.

I have always loved to learn and experience new places and things but, now more than ever I am learning new ways to improve myself and my family through the use of technology. I am grateful to have had the experience of digging in and exploring with my fellow classmates! I think the best feature I have been able to use is just keeping track of my peers’ blogs. There was a time that you would have to check everyday a few times a day to see if someone had loaded something but, now I just log on to Gmail and click on my beloved reader!

References

APA Style, American Psychological Association (n.d.).

Retrieved from http://www.apastyle.org/learn/faqs/cite-website-material.aspx

What is RSS? RSS Explained, (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.whatisrss.com/

What is Open Source and How do I get FREE software?

Okay, here is my stab at open source and what it is. When a application is created it is done in by creating a program code that makes it work. This is almost like foundation of a car and the motor and parts. You have to have the programming code in order for it to work. With closed source applications the code is not included with the program but, with open source the code is included. So, it is open for anyone to look at or learn from.

With open source software programmers are encouraged to make the software their own. This is one of the reasons why the code is included because it is believed that the code can and will be modified according to the users’ liking. All open source software has to be free to obtain but, one way some of the manufactures are getting around it being totally free is to include in a package. So, you technically purchase one of the software applications and get the open sources application for free. The great thing about open source is that it can be redistributed with the updated code that the “user” has customized.

Personally, I have been using Open Office for some time and really enjoy it over MS Office. I find it easier to teach my family members how to do something in Open Office verses MS Office. My summer semester at UCM I used Open office for the entire semester and was extremely pleased at it’s functionality. I had an “upgraded” version sent to me by one of my friends that is a programmer. In his version you could do more animations in “PowerPoint” and also instant message users on Yahoo. Creative!!

I did use Netscape when I was doing my undergraduate degree but, I really did not like it as it would freeze periodically. This was cumbersome as I had two online classes and “myportal” would not post my work because of the freezing. So, in short I elected to go back to Explorer.(Side note *I went to link this and found Firefox on the site as well. I currently use Firefox!)

In order to complete my undergraduate degree I had to finish a group project which consisted of a website devoted to artwork. I am for from a programmer but, I do believe the programmers used some perl to complete some of the functionality of the back house of the site. (My job was the front.)

I did find a few different operating systems that are Open they are; Linux, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD, and GNU.

Honestly, I am only familiar with Linux as we used it at a couple of places I worked. These other operating systems I have no clue about but, if you do not know what an operating system is it is the major foundation that runs the computer or server. A few widely known operating systems are; Windows XP, Windows 2005, and Vista.

Looking for new open source software

And so it begins... The search for a new and inventive open source software to change the way we teach in educational technology programs. I am not sure where my search will lead me but....stay tuned...

RSS feeds list I found

I know one of our assignments is to have 10 RSS feeds that are going to Sage and Google Reader (mine) so here is a list of some http://alltop.com/... just in case you don't have any specific ones you read....

Thought it might help

you can have more traffic on your blog by adding this http://www.addthis.com/

Come on Jing!

I hope this one works!

Oh right Baby!!!! I figured it out.... you have to save the image and then instead of just copying the code ( like I thought you would do in a blog ) you have to insert the image (not the code)!!!

Cheers!  Hope you try it!

TechSmith | Jing, instant screenshots and screencasts, home

TechSmith | Jing, instant screenshots and screencasts, home

This is an interesting site... going to check it out...

What I did is download the Jing app... Boy this is going to be a great tool. You can do screen captures and transfer the images in your instant message or you can get the pro version and make a video on your web cam and up load it to you tube. I am going to use this also for additional information captures in my powerpoints and word docs.

Here's a test Jing...


C:\Users\admin\Documents\tracie_data\Jing stuff\2011-01-11_1452.png

okay so this did not work because I saved it and I to not have that linked to a server... so here goes again...
http://screencast.com/t/FCgoWjNau
   Okay so this is what I learned use the original buttons at first then do the create embed button so you know where things are....
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-------------Can't get it to work on my blog.... gotta go back to the tutorials............
Be back soon!

Introduction

Hello,
I am Tracie, I am currently enrolled in the Educational Technology Masters Degree program here at UCM. I have enjoyed all of the information I have learned so far in the program which has widened my perspective of education and the use of technology in the classroom.

I really enjoy learning and finding out how technology is intertwined in our lives. I truly believe that our mission in education technology is to teach others how to incorporate technology in their daily lives making their activities not only easier but, more fulfilling!  


I would like to touch on something that most "savvy" users are familiar with, Winzip. There are times in our daily activities when we have to communicate large amounts of information. When this happens it can be extremely frustrating to not be able to send or receive important data because of the size of the attachment. 

So, we have a tool to compress data called "winzip". The below link has the specifics of the "how to's" when using and operating winzip. (You can also download the evaluation version at this site as well.)

http://www.winzip.com/prodpagewz.htm

Here is video link that walks you through how to use Winzip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVHCnE4D71M 


I like having different ways to digest information and youtube is a wonderful resource for those of us who are visual learners. I hope you enjoy the information!


Just a tip... I would subscribe to: ehowtech on youtube, they have great information!

Book

Well, I believe the last book I read was The Life you were Born to Live. I really enjoyed looking up the information and seeing what path I am currently on and what personality traits are associated with being on my "life path". I find direction in information. Information is the key to everything in life! I hope you take the time to read and decipher your section in the book it is well worth it!


I will talk to you soon... Until chose to make everyday great!