RSS Feeds and Education

The NPR feeds are FANTASTIC!--variety, substance, topical.



I'm also following a blog suggested by NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English) which is entertaining and informative. The blog from "Secondary Section" first connects with me--she talks of the research paper coming just after the Thanksgiving break and then realizing (surprise!) that one more unit will be needed before Christmas break. The equivalent of "Oh no, what do I serve for dinner?" which sometimes occurs to me at 5:00 p.m. I can SO relate to her blog. Then she gives the equivalent of pizza on the Saturday after Thanksgiving: a note-taking unit she introduces to her students between Thanksgiving and Christmas, which I found very helpful. It's all about timing and what can we teach that is relevant and how can we keep students engaged and still recognize the challenges of the holiday season?



As a librarian, I am considering starting a blog where students "review" books. We always discuss books on an informal basis; creating a blog will just extend that discussion online, plus it will give my more reticent students an opportunity for a voice. I could use RSS to track the blogs. I could also post a question or comment (on my library blog) about a popular book and track the responses I get using RSS. Social studies teachers could track certain journalists or authors or diplomats through RSS --or show their students how to do so.



In terms of meeting NETS-S, I think I could be using Standard #2a; 3b, andn 6a.