"TEACHING TABLE:" Getting the Most Out of Your RSS Reader

Abstract

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) allows users to aggregate information resources, making it easier to view content from around the web in one single place. Most sites with dynamic content include inàRSSàfeedàlink that users can use to connect they content they like to read with an RSS reader. While many of us use RSS on a daily basis to read our favorite blogs and news sites, RSS readers also have the potential to simplify academic work life and serve as research tools that enhance the educational environment. This session will describe some of the many instructional uses of RSS, as well as demonstrating an example of an RSS reader that houses research-íââ¬Ârelated content in a specific field. An RSS reader can help faculty and graduate students in any discipline manage their own research and professional development opportunities, as well as servingàasàa research tool for undergraduates in the classroom. Outside of the classroom, faculty can use RSS feeds to stay abreast of research in their own fields of study as they prepare for teaching or research, for professional development purposes such as monitoring calls for papers and upcoming conferences, or job searches. For teaching purposes, RSS readers may be used to aggregate student discussion blogs from multiple classes for easy viewing. Faculty may also consider compiling course content related RSS feeds to include inside of Blackboard or other online course space, which students could then use to monitor over the course of a semester. Also, students working on research papers or projects may create library database search feeds in order to receiveàupdates each time a new article appears in the database that is related to their topic. The session will go over the basics of getting started with RSS readers and demonstrate howàto set up a RSS feed based on a library database topic search.