RSS

This is a screen shot of my Google Reader subscriptions.  As you can see, I have tried to organize my subscriptions into folders based on the content of each one, but it is still a work in progress.  I use the RSS Reader to follow different articles from various sites and professional organizations, blogs, radio shows, and online journals.  At first it was very difficult for me to spend the time sorting through the new items that flooded my feed each day.  To be honest, I forgot about the RSS Reader for about a week once I got it set up in class.  When I logged back in at the end of the week, I had a better attitude towards using it (probably because I wasn't on "overload" from sitting in class all day) and found that it was actually a great learning tool.  

So far, I've enjoyed reading the blog postings and responses to the "Latest Activity on SMARTBoard Revolution" subscription I am following.  I have noticed that people are posting questions and responses rather quickly, and everyday; while other blogs, like the Fountas and Pinnell blog, have not seen new posts for a few weeks now.  I have also really enjoyed the articles from the "Creating Lifelong Learners" subscription.  I specifically liked (and starred) the article titled "Six Ways Teachers Can Improve Education This Year."

Although it has only been about 3-4 weeks since I set up my RSS Reader, I have been able to learn a thing or two from my subscriptions.  One of my favorite postings in "Techlearning" was "Top 25 Sites From 2010" by David Kapuler.  It included a lot of really great sites for teachers to use in their classroom or as a resource.  I have joined the "We are Teachers" social network (#25 on Kapuler's list) and spent some time looking through the various topics the site contains and will definitely put it on my list of "go to" sites.

Keeping up to date with the newest trends in education and technology is not an easy task.  However, using my RSS Reader has already been able to help me in this area.  I am definitely more knowledgeable about ways to incorporate technology into my classroom.  I actually feel like I am a better teacher because I've stepped outside of my "box" and chosen one of the many ideas I've read about to start in my classroom soon.  The first goal on my list is to establish a blog for my classroom that will allow my students to connect with others and share their learning.  There is so much positive feedback from teachers who have introduced this into their classrooms and I would like to try it myself.