Week #4 Thing #9

I am exploring some of the search tools to discover new RSS feeds. Edublog was interesting. I will have to explore more to see if I missed and archive. (There are archives) Some of the blogs were interesting. I enjoyed the perspective of "copyleft" presented on "tilt". It was fun to be able to use my Spanish on the bilingual site with a contributor from Chile. There were a number of sites that would be of interest to teachers of a number of disciplines.

I was not overly impressed with the search capability of Feedster. Perhaps I need to return to look for an advanced search tool. There were many irrelevant hits using a variety of indicators. Topix.net helped me locate local news feeds. There is so much to sort through with the other sites that it is quite daunting. Time is the necessary element. More advanced search tools would add precision to the searches.

Blog Search was fun, especially seeing what was available regarding school library learning 2.0. There are more hits for this than for just library learning 2.0. I also experimented and entered my blog name "dejongsplace". It had a few hits. I think this is the tool that is most productive for me.

Week #4 Thing #8 the beginning

I have reviewed both bloglines and Google Reader. I signed up for Google Reader since I already have several (now) accounts with Google. I tried to follow the link to "differences" between the two and it had nothing to do with either. Perhaps the live link has been edited to change the connection path. I see the potential for use of an RSS feed reader in many areas. I also see a possibility of the equivalent of spam (useless or inane information to wade through). I will have to review and study more carefully to select those that may be of most benefit. I am seeing some general categories that seem like they would be of use or interest to my students. After I learn more about RSS, perhaps I will be able to make knowledgeable selections and not need to wade through the useless items. At this moment I feel there is so much available, it will be hard to find what is truly of value. I am hoping to read in other blogs how others view the value of the RSS feeds. I am definitely open to comments.

Randy de Jong

I know enough to know I don't know enough.