Most computer users are comfortable using email.  They have found it is an efficient way to communicate with one or more persons.  Can you even imagine going back to snail mail, or having to call multiple people when you want to plan a group event?

A more recent technology, RSS feeds, will likely be as ubiquitous as email - but is now only a tool of the web savvy.

That’s a shame as it is a major breakthrough in helping anyone be well-informed. 

Soon, any student or professional who doesn’t learn to use RSS Feed Readers will be at a disadvantage.

What Is RSS?

RSS (Real Simple Syndication) is a means to publish feeds: the frequently updated material of online sites that includes blog posts, news bulletins, videos, or audio podcasts.  A RSS Feed Reader is a tool for receiving this information.  You can receive updates from any online source that has set up a feed.  It is the best way to scan and synthesize all the information available online.  RSS is truly “the cure for information overload.” (Bloglines)

RSS Feed Readers are nothing less than the TIVOs, or digital video recorders,  of the Internet.

Setting Up Your RSS Feed Reader

You can find a list of feed readers by clicking on the bright orange RSS button that is prominently displayed on this, and other online sites.  After you select a feed reader, you can sign up to create a feed reader account or sign in if you already have one.

I’m using Bloglines to aggregate my feeds because: it’s easy; and I can access it anywhere.  For other excellent RSS feed reader options, look at this Top 10 List. 

It’s super-easy to set up the Bloglines feed reader.  Just click on the sign up now link and follow the instructions.  Be sure to verify your confirmation email, and you’re ready to add feeds.

Adding Feeds

There are several ways to add feeds to your Bloglines feed reader:

1. Click on the RSS button (found on on this and many other online sites) and sign in to your feed reader account.  Select one of the available feeds.  Pick a folder to put it into.  If you haven’t set up folders, create one by selecting the “New Folder” option.  It’s important that you use folders to organize your feeds, otherwise this collection can become unmanageable.  Review, or ignore, other preference options.  Complete by clicking the “Subscribe” button at the bottom.

2. Select your favorite feeds from the Top 1000 list.  When you sign in, Bloglines places you into your feeds page.  Under the Feeds tab, there is an Additional Features section that includes a Top 1000 link.  Here you can preview and subscribe to the most popular feeds.  You can choose to subscribe with Bloglines or use the orange RSS button to subscribe directly within your browser.  If you choose the Bloglines icon, you will be directed to the brand-new Bloglines Beta platform.  Again, you should place your feed in a folder, but you’ll have to use the new folder icon.  This is located in the “My Library” header that replaces the tabbed header in the original Bloglines.

3. In either Bloglines platform, you can use the “Add” link (at the top of the left-hand column) to subscribe to a feed.  Just copy and paste the URL web address into the “Find feeds”  or “Blog or Feed URL - Subscribe” box at top.  Then, select a feed and folder.

4. Install a subscribe button on your browser, and click it when you find a worthy site.  Look for the Easy Subscribe Bookmarklet on the left-hand column or the Easy Subscribe Button on the Add page.

By the way, you can also get updates from sites that don’t publish a feed.  Visit Page2RSS.

Reading RSS Feeds

This is where installing a RSS Feed Reader really pays off.  You can keep up with 20, 50, or more online information sources by using the reading panes (Full View, Quick View, and 3-Pane View in Bloglines Beta) to quickly scan the headlines.  Over time, you’ll develop the ability to quickly pick out the information you need. 

Scanning or synthesizing reading skills are essential to success in the digital world.  More and more, achievement in any field will depend on your ability to keep up with, and use, available information.

Get Started Now

Just click on the RSS Button - Subscribe in a reader link and choose the +Bloglines option.  That’s it. It’s easy.

Resources:

Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms by Will Richardson (Visit his Weblogg-ed Blog to find many ideas for transforming education.)

A Quick Start Guide to RSS for Educators

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