Having created a blog site address using bloggger.com, I then read about RSS - Rich Site Summary- although there appears to be other descriptions of the acronym. The reader can subscribe to certain sites (eg news that interests them) rather than having to visit each of these sites. An aggregator then checks the subscribed sites and collects any new posts. If a website has an XML oe RSS logo, this logo will provide the address of the site's feed. Explanation of RSS that I read was at http://www.webblog-ed.com/ .
I signed on at http://www.bloglines.com/ and now have my own few subscribed sites. My main aim was to see how a teacher could use this to have a class list of blogs and be informed of new posts. I have managed to make my own blog one of the feeds by updating my blog profile and providing the URL of my blog, but I am not sure how I would access "students" blogs. It appears that these need to be made public by the individual. I really need to spend more time on this - is it the best option for creating a classroom network?
I have created a group on Facebook that is Private (the group link is at the bottom of the page on Facebook - I struggled to find it initially). This is my theoretical "class" of students group and I have enrolled family members in it. They (my family) are being a bit slow about responding to my request for them to join in. However, I can see a classroom network in the making. I have also created my own family wiki using www.wetpaint.com . This was really easy (and free provided you allow their adds to appear on your page). My family "class" have been notified of its URL and are expected to edit and add to the site - "school project" on our African ancestry. Now, will my class of students be inspired to contribute. Will there be effective learning in creating this online group? Will they see any purpose in collaborating in this manner? I have all the computer tools - it is up to me to use them effectively.
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WOW: you're moving and shaking!! Using the weekly summary a great use of the tool for this course. Look forward to hearing your successes, frustions, interests over the semester.
ReplyDeletePetrea
My thoughts on Blogs were restricted to social networking and a great way to keep track of friends travelling the world! I hadn't considered how useful a blog could be in an educational setting until reading your blogs. Summarising the course modules with your own experiences gives a great personal insight to the course. I am nowhere near as computer savvy as I should be and become easily frustrated however I find your explanations very user friendly- so thanks! I love your idea of the virtual classroom you have set up using family members - fantastic- would never have thought of it but will definately steal the idea! i will be following your blog closely for more great ideas LOL!
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