RSS Readers

Lesson 6 – RSS Readers

Today we will look at a way to keep Internet media, that is interesting to you, all in one place in your Google account.

What is an RSS Reader?

1.     First, go to this site and read about RSS Feeds. http://www.whatisrss.com/

2.     Next go to this site and watch the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0klgLsSxGsU

3.     Then go to your blog and create a blog titled: What is an RSS Reader? and answer these questions.

a.     Describe (in your own words) what an RSS Reader is.

b.     Why would you use an RSS Reader?

c.      What are the two things you need to do to create one?

Creating a RSS Reader

1.     Since you have a Google account, you already have a Reader.

2.     To find it go to you account page or your homepage. At the top is a tiny black bar. In the middle is a dropdown menu with the word More. Click on that.

3.     Then scroll down to Reader.

4.     Now comes the fun part. Choose some websites that you would like to follow. You will need at least ten, but you can choose more.

5.     To subscribe you can do two things: Follow the instructions in the video, or you can simply click on the orange button on the left that says Subscribe and add the url of the website you want to add.

6.     Add to your blog post the links to the sites you added and a short description of what the site is and why it interests you.

Post Comments

1.     After you have finished your lab, go to your classmate’s blog and read their response.

2.     Read both their answers to the questions and their list of sites. Comment on each of these elements.

3.     Post a comment under our CALL class Lesson 6 when you have finished this lab.

 

New Submissions

From now on please post a comment under each lesson/post on our homepage when you are finished with the lesson. I will make comments and if I make suggestions then I want you to make those corrections, and after that I will change your grade.

TED.com

Lesson 5 – TED

Today we will look at a great resource for listening and learning about new ideas. This site has videos of many different lectures that are given during TED conferences.

1.     Go to this site and read just the introduction.

2.     Next go to this website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TED_%28conference%29

3.     You will need to register.  On the main page in the in the upper right hand corner click on Register. Follow the instructions.

4.     Then on the left side of the page, you can choose what type of lecture you want to listen to. Choose a couple and listen to them. Post comments under the video about each one you watched. Email me the link to the pages where you posted your comments.

5.     Next go to TED Conversations in the upper right hand corner.  Explore Ideas, Questions and Debates. There will be a video from which the Ideas, Questions and Debates are created. Chose a topic under each one. Post a comment after watching the video associated with it.

6.     In your blog create a post titled: TED.com and answer these questions.

a.     Post links to each video you watched and summarize the main ideas.

b.     Post a link to the discussions you choose and explain why you choose it.

Resources

Lesson 4 – Resources

Before you do anything else, go back and read the comments I posted on your blogs. Make any corrections that I suggested then email me so I know I need to change your grade. Next check your grade for this class on Populi so you can see any assignments you haven't corrected yet. Then you can start the lesson for today.

1.     After you have finished Lesson 3 – Web 2.0, go to our class Resources page and look at the link, and choose a few to do some work with.

2.     At the end of class create a post titled Resources and tell me:

a.     What sites you used.

b.     Was it helpful? Why or why not.

c.      Will you use them again?

Web 2.0

Lesson 3 – Web 2.0

Today we will explore the term Web 2.0. We will look at some types of Web 2.0 applications and find some that you would like to work with this semester.

Web 2.0

1.     Go to this video and answer the questions in your blog and title it Web 2.0. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxID2GQWaqI&feature=related

a.     How are Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 different?

b.     What are some examples of Web 2.0?

2.     If you have not logged in then use your Google Account to log in to YouTube and “like” or “dislike” this video and post a comment about it.

3.     Go to this article and read through Characteristics, Technologies, Concepts and Usage. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_2.0

4.     In your own words, describe as best as you can, what Web 2.0 is.

Blogs 2

5.     Now go to this video and learn a little more about blogs. http://www.commoncraft.com/video/blogs

6.     Post in your blog titled Web 2.0 explaining what you learned new about blogs.

Sites

7.     Now go to this link and explore some Web 2.0 sites. http://www.ebizmba.com/articles/web-2.0-websites

8.     Choose some you might like to use in this class.

9.     In your post in your blog titled: Web 2.0 answer these questions:

a.     List the sites you might like to use.

b.     Why they interest you.

c.       How you might like to use them.

More with Blogs and Resources

Lesson 2 - More with Blogs and Resources

Commenting on Blogs

1. First you will need to go into your account and change your setting, so only the people you want can see and comment on your blog.
2. On your Blogger main page, go to the arrow next to the piece of paper in the middle of the page. Click on that and scroll down to settings.
3. Under Blog Readers click on edit and and add Only These Readers.
4. Add me: snrein1016@gmail.com and your classmate's email.
5. They will need to accept your invitation. Check your email.
6. Now go my our class page. 
7. On the left side of the page will be a link titled Class Blog Links, click on that.
8. This will take you to your classmate’s blog. Look at their blogs and post comments with your thoughts of what they wrote. 
9. If they have not added you yet then while you wait go to the next part.  

Resources

1.     Now we will take a break from creating and we will look at some ESL resources.

2.     Go to the resources page on the left and click on that.

3.     Here there are many types of valuable ESL resources. Look through them and choose some to do for the rest of class.

4.     Create a post titled Lab 2 and for the last ten minutes of class write in your blog on the resources you used. Answer these questions.

a.     What websites did you use?

b.     Were they helpful?

c.     Are there other types of websites that would be more helpful?

d.     Anything else you would like to add.

Blogs

Lesson 1 – Blogs

Today we will explore and set up your blog. If you have questions please ask.

1.     What is a blog?

a.     Go to this web page and answer these questions: http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog

                                               i.     What is a blog?

                                              ii.     What is a post?

                                            iii.     What is the purpose of comments?

                                            iv.     What’s an RSS feed?

                                              v.     What’s an advantage of a blog over other types of discussion?

b.     Write your answers on a sheet of paper, you will use this later.

2.     Create your own account for blogs

a.     Go to this page https://accounts.google.com/NewAccount and if you do not have a Google account click on “Sign up” in the upper right hand corner. If you do have an account then log in.

b.     Follow the instructions to “Create a new Google Account.” Or go to this video if you need more help. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPJyITyWM4g&feature=related

c.      Don’t forget your password! Write it down if you need to.

d.     Once you have set up an account it will take you to your email inbox.  You can come back to this later.

e.     For now go to the black bar at the top and click on “More.” There will be a drop down menu and on that menu click on “Blogger.”

3.     Edit your profile

a.     In the upper right hand corner click on the tiny arrow next to your name. A box will come up and click on “Blogger profile.”

b.     In the upper right hand corner of the next click on “Edit Profile.”

c.      Add as much information you want to here. But you will need to add a photo and some of the “Extended Info.”

d.     When you are done editing, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on “Save Profile.”

e.     Then click on “Blogger” on the upper right hand corner, and that will bring you back to your homepage.

4.     Create a blog

a.     On the left hand side, click on the “New Blog” button.

b.     Add the title “Your name’s ESL 08C: CALL Self-Study.”              

       Example: Ms. Reinhardt’s ESL 08C: CALL Self-Study.

c.      Create your very own web address for your blog. You can use your title without the punctuation. It will not work with punctuation.                                                                                                              

       Example: MsReinhardtsESL08CCALLSelfStudy.

d.     Next choose a template.

e.     At the bottom. Click on the “Create Blog!” button.

f.      You should see your new blog.

5.     Answers to: What is a blog?

a.     Click on the orange pencil next to your blog name to create a new post.

b.     At the very top under “Post,” title this post: What is a blog?

c.      Answer all the questions you wrote down in the first part of this lesson in full sentences.

d.     Add question vi which is: What ways can using a blog help you to learn English? Are there other ways you would like to use a blog?

e.     When you are done, click on the button at the top called “Publish.”

f.      You have now published your first blog post!

6.     Post: What do I want to learn in this class?

a.     Create another post with the title: Personal Learning Goals?

b.     It’s important to create manageable goals that you can achieve. Go to this website and read about how to create good, solid goals. http://managingwholes.com/good-goals.htm

c.      Once you have some thoughtful goals then publish your post.

7.     Homework

a.     Finish this assignment.

b.     Email me the link to your blog and to let me know when you have posted both. What is a blog and Personal Learning Goals at: sreinhardt@dwci.edu