Lucky Break: Thing 2
April 8, 2011
Things have worked out happily. I had been procrastinating mightily, as usual and had not got to Thing 2. I had scanned the page briefly and then got caught up in other things, but I inadvertently completed the assignment. How? Well, I have a Google Reader page that I have had for some time with a number of feeds. I have lately become better at checking up on it, especially since I have been using a tool on my pad called Zite. This wonderful tool takes all your RSS feeds from Google Reader and creates a very pretty magazine out of them. Much nicer than the basic Google’s Reader page. It categorizes your list and is just much nicer and clearer to read. As an artist, I like pretty things and it pleases me. Anyway, so I was thinking about Zite and how it would be great if I could direct my 11 year old toward articles and sources that she is not yet convinced she will like (but she will). I thought Zite would do this. So, I went into my daughter’s Google account and starting building an RSS feed collection for her. I did not do so terribly well finding things aimed at tweens but there are things that appeal. I threw in a lot of humor sites (the way to her heart) and some news for kids, school blogs from her teachers and comics pages. I was scuppered when I realized she cannot get to Zite on her ipod but in any case she can read it on Google Reader after all.
This would be a great way to introduce students to a variety of sources without them losing interest since they are targeted directly to their age/group/topics.
I haven’t played with too many RSS readers because Google is working for me but I am excited about add-ons that improve the experience. Feedly through Firefox is another tool geared towards sharing but also just improves the visual effect and makes items easier to browse.
I would add that Feedly works its magic by accessing all your information – and I do mean ALL. Search history, favorites, your physical location etc, etc… Yikes! I know a lot of these tools do, but when you see their capabilities listed in one place it is unsettling.
Related Articles
- Mobile RSS Readers: What’s Popular & What Works (readwriteweb.com)
Oh cool. I’m going to try Zite. I use FlibBoard on my iPad, sounds like a similar tool. Love that you set up a folder of feeds that would appeal to your daughter. That would be a great list to share!
I’ll have to check out FlibBoard. Maybe that will be my solution. I had not remembered that i had also set up account and pades on netvibe too. I was not really thinking of it in terms of feeds but more in terms off widgets and apps.
From your posts it sounds like this CDLC Learns opportunity will give you the chance to refresh your skills, and share what works with others just starting to learn!