rss4learning


 * Uses for RSS in Education**

RSS feeds can be easily created and used within an educational context. Due to the very nature of RSS technology the accessibility issues are associated with how it is collected and the software being used to display the material. As many display methods are HTML based, the look and feel can be personalised through the Web browser (assuming the Web pages have been designed in accordance with Web standards), and the use of assistive technologies.


 * The next stage in the research of using RSS technology in education is to explore different ways of using them, and reflect on how RSS creators such as Biz/ed might deliver different types of content, with different learning objectives to different groups via RSS technology.**

In terms of the inclusion of RSS feeds into VLE courses, then the experience at the University of Bristol has been very positive. Educators have found the process of finding the appropriate feed, and including within it their Blackboard course very straightforward. With respect to how these regularly update resources are effecting student perceptions and their use of the course is still to be evaluated.

There has also been success in collecting Biz/ed news feeds on Palm OS handheld devices. Using third party software, the RSS feed was collected, viewed and then the full story downloaded using an Internet connected Palm Pilot.

This site explains how RSS can be used in Education: [|http://www.weblogg-ed.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/05/RSSFAQ4.pdf#search=%22uses%20for%20RSS%]


 * __RSS and learning__**

Educators can use RSS feeds in a variety of ways to enhance the research and learning experience for their students, and just as importantly for collaborating with fellow teachers.

Some of the methods that can be used by teachers include: > >> While applying RSS technology as a teacher will require a steep learning curve, once mastered, both preparation and teaching resources can be kept up to date and current in ways that have not been available to teachers in the past.
 * subscribing to feeds on certain topics to stay current
 * The [|New York Times] and other newspapers off a RSS feed service to enable users to receive up to the minute information on topics they have an interest in.
 * publishing syndicated content on course Websites or blogs
 * Using RSS, a news site or a blog students or teachers can feed articles or entries to a group of subscribers automatically, encouraging input from a wide variety of interested contributors
 * students create their own blogs and then subscribe to feeds from other students blogs to check for new content and updates
 * notifying parents and students about upcoming class content
 * [|Riccarton] High School uses a RSS feed to inform students and parents of up coming events and other announcements
 * updating learners on new internal or external resources available on a subject
 * subscribing to feeds from learning object repositories assist students to see the newest objects added or objects added in a topic they are studying or can assist teachers to gather current information
 * this [|object repository] provides educators from Wisconsin access to “high-quality, highly usable, teacher-reviewed web-based resources for curricula, content, lesson plans, professional development and other selected resources"

__RSS in Home Economics:__

I could see the use of a RSS as a professional resource. It could be an efficient way of gathering information on the latest "knowledge" to do with my subject.An example of this would be; In my year 12 Home Economics class we do a topic on obesity and it is impossible to keep track of all the information I get through email. What would make the news aggregator so useful is the information would be collected effortlessly from sites I previously needed to visit. The RSS would regularly send me important information that I may not have known to look for. This would be an invaluable search tool. I hope to follow up this comment with some sites to look at, so watch this space.

__RSS with Smart Boards__

Any topic a teacher has planned to use with the Smart Board technology, could have appropriate RSS feeds to manage updated news on the topic, blogs, wikis, podcasts etc. This could save countless hours searching and make the lesson more efficient with information at the fingertips of teachers and students. This is a very appropriate use of RSS in teaching and learning, as it maximises information in a streamlined way, ensuring an efficient use of teaching time and classroom management.