RSS Choices

     Tuesday night we learned about RSS aggregates, first Google Reader and then Bloglines. I thought I'd like Bloglines better, but when I tried it, and then Google Reader, I liked Google Reader better. It was easy to add subscriptions and add every one's blog to it. As I added them, I went reading through those I hadn't read and commented on them. I noticed tonight that Jim didn't like Bloglines as much as Google Reader, either. I wonder if it was because the directions were easier to follow, or if the tutorial made it easier for us to do. 

     I got caught up in looking through a lot of RSS information today. I kept going from one site to the next in my search for information. I started with David Warlick 's 2 Cents Worth and got involved reading the comments, and then going to other sites. He had a really interesting question about technology at the end of his blog today, so I had to read the comments. 

     I read Wesley Freyer's website next. As I was following his links, I found a great site on Media Literacy for the Information Age, which is so appropriate to what I'm teaching now. 

     I certainly can see the value of RSS feeds! I didn't have to look long and hard for the information to come to me! I can see why people use them, as it certainly cuts down on the searching end of things. I subscribed to a number of cake decorating sites now, too, for interest. I've looked through some, but have a few to go. 

 

Blogging Favorites

I like to follow some blogs that discuss education, technology, and cake decorating. I also like to read the Dog Whisper's blog, as she discusses library issues. I like the way she writes, as she's informative, somewhat witty, and always has something pertinent to say. I follow technology & learning's blog, as I can follow what's happening in the world of technology and education. I get ideas of what political and social issues are at the forefront of discussion. I get a heads up about what's happening and can discuss issues with my fellow teachers, principals, and librarians, sometimes even students. 

One of the favorites I follow, for personal interest, is on cake decorating. I love to look at the videos posted, especially gleaning ideas or seeing a "wow" cake. The Ace of Cakes is one such place I like. I've also added a Shelfari site blog to this blog. Already I've been questioned about my opinons about some of the books I've read, as well as made recommendations of what to read to others. My Shelfari blog gets more action than this one, as far as comments or questions go.
After reading some of the articles, and looking for good blogs, I can see how easy it would be to get lost in "blogland". The comment made about finding a good blog is like finding a needle in a haystack was so appropriate. We look for good blogs to read, and there are so many different kinds of blogs out there that what one is looking for, accurate in content, yet relevant, is sometimes looking for that needle.  When that one is found, it's a gem and everyone wants to read it. 

Web 2.0

I have enjoyed many of the courses we've had, but I think this one might be the best. I've been thinking about how I can use blogging in my classes, and right now, I think the best way is to be an informational type blog for parents and students. I'm hoping I can add project information about what the students are doing in library class to my blog. It will be interesting to get one started and available soon. 

 I've been able to look at a number of blogs and I'm going to link to the ones I like.  The first one is the Technorati site. It's one if I link to now I'll be able to search others in the future. Another one I found I liked is Tea reads. The author is a librarian and discusses attitudes and books being read. A third one I found I liked, and every teacher should read is budtheteacher blogspot, especially if you need a good pat on the back! (I'm going to have to make a list in the side of my blog just to list all the good blogs I like). A fourth one is Leader Talk. It leads me to other good blogs written by educators about educating students and ourselves. I even stumbled on one I think math teachers would like to know about, as it lets anyone in a basic math, pre-algebra, algebra, trig, pre-calculus or calculus class put in a problem and the program solves the problem for them. It's called Mathway.  I've looked at Google as well for blogs, but I like the Technorati site better. Maybe it's the directory I get right at the beginning of the program. I like things laid out so I can use them right away as well as get an idea of how the authors have categorized their sites. It must be the librarian in me.