RSS

=What is RSS?=

RSS stands for "Rich Site Summary" or "Real Simple Syndication."

//[|Wikipedia]// defines RSS as "a family of Web feed formats used to publish frequently updated content including, but not limited to, blog entries, news headlines, and podcasts.

RSS feeds are often called news feeds or web feeds. An RSS document (which is called a "feed" or "web feed" or "channel") contains either a summary of content from an associated web site or the full text. RSS makes it possible for people to keep up with their favorite web sites in an automated manner that can be piped into special programs or filtered displays."
 * What is a news feed?**

RSS feeds are generated in code, and it takes a reader or aggregator to collect the feeds and make them useful to you by publishing them in one place. "Such applications are also referred to as **RSS readers**, **feed readers**, **feed aggregators**, **news readers** or **search aggregators**. Aggregators with podcasting capabilities can automatically download media files, such as MP3 recordings." ([|Wikipedia]) With a newsreader or aggregator, you can subscribe to RSS feeds and then go to your aggregator to see what's new
 * What is an aggregator or reader?**

From the webtools4u2use wikispace media type="custom" key="6139679"

[|From the Free technology for Teachers blog Wednesday, November 12, 2008]

[|34 Ways to Use RSS]
[|Louis Gray]is a tech blogger that I've been following for about six month now. One of the topics that he often explores is the myriad of way in which RSS feeds and readers can be used. On Monday, he had a guest writer, Mike Fruchter who posted a great piece titled //[|30 Different Uses for RSS].// The list is primarily focused on average consumer uses of RSS, but there are some suggestions which could apply to educators. Fruchter suggests subscribing the [|President's Weekly Radio Address] and subscribing to the [|NASA] feed.

**Applications for Education** Extending Fruchter's idea I've listed some uses of RSS for educators and students.

1. If you maintain a blog or website for your classroom, using a service like [|RSS Mixer] to place related content from websites related to your content area is useful for helping students to discover content that they might not otherwise access.

2. If you have students tracking topics over the course of a week or more, consider having them use RSS readers. Generally, there are far fewer distractions, advertising, in the content delivered via RSS than there are on the actual website or blog.

3. For those conducting or taking classes online, RSS is a must. This is particularly true if your class requires contributions to discussions. Following an RSS feed is much easier than trying to see who posted what, where.

4. Piggybacking on #2 above, using an RSS Reader like [|Google Reader]is great way to keep yourself current on developments in your content area. If you're new to using RSS start small by subscribing to a handful of the websites and blogs that you visit regularly. After you accustomed to reading content in an RSS reader, you'll find yourself adding subscriptions.

Still not sure what RSS can do for you? Watch this short video from Common Craft. media type="custom" key="2689297"