RSS

=RSS in the classroom =

RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication
But what the heck does //that// mean? Consider all of the content that is updated on the web every day - every hour - every minute. International news, domestic news, local news, school news, images, videos, podcasts - on broadcast media sites, print media sites, blogs, wikis, and on and on. Information overload looms. How does one stay abreast of the news or content of interest, given the limited time we have each day to search the internet, visit interesting sites, and actually read, view, or listen to what we finally select? RSS is the answer!

RSS is analogous to subscribing to various magazines and newspapers, which are delivered to your mailbox daily, weekly, and/or once a month. RSS subscriptions (otherwise known as "feeds") deliver articles, images, videos, etc. from those feeds //directly// to your aggregator (a digital mailbox) as soon as they are published on the web. The beauty of RSS is that by subscribing to specific feeds of interest, you may create your own customized news source that is updated immediately all of the time.

Steps to setting up your feeds

 * 1) Create an account with an RSS aggregator, such as [|Google Reader] or [|Google Homepage].
 * 2) Visit your favorite websites and look for their RSS feed list (for example, [|WSMV], [|NYTimes], [|ESPN], etc.). Subscribe to the feeds that interest you.
 * 3) If you would like to receive news about a particular TOPIC, you may create a custom feed using [|Google News Advanced Search].
 * 4) You may subscribe to the RSS feeds of specific blogs so that new posts are automatically delivered to your aggregator.

Classroom Applications

 * Have students follow a specific topic over a period of time, using several news sources from around the country or world.
 * Use RSS feeds to research current issues or events.
 * Use RSS feeds to become an expert of a particular topic.
 * Add your own ideas!

The first goal of the project was for each student to select and research an issue in which she was interested. Topics included sex education, cloning, the electoral college system, growing rates of obesity, illegal immigration, cell phone use, and environmental concerns. Additionally, students were to demonstrate an understanding of the issue in both written and oral presentations and to be able to articulate an opinion based on facts.
 * Eighth Grade Controversial Issues Project**

Each student set up several RSS feeds in the process of learning about her topic. Initially the feeds were set up for several areas in which the student was interested. Each girl was to monitor her feeds and learn about the different issues. This helped each student decide on a final topic. Once a final issue was selected, the RSS feeds provided each student with the most current information and opinions on her issue which allowed her to clearly present both sides and express an informed opinion.

[|Here are instructions] on setting up RSS feeds using Firefox's Live Bookmarks feature. Internet Explorer 7 has a similar feature, called Common Feeds.