Integrating+Technology


 * BLOGS AND GOOGLE READER**

Here is what a top executive does to keep up with what's going on in the world.

Admiral James Stavridis: What I Read http://www.theatlanticwire.com/global/2012/08/natos-supreme-allied-commander-europe-james-stavridis-what-i-read/55626/


 * BLOGS: FIRST STEPS**

Spend a few minutes watching this video: http://www.commoncraft.com/blogs

"Understanding and Reading a Blog (for Newcomers)" http://www.dvorak.org/blog/primer/blogprimer1.htm

Two blog examples:

1. An award-winning blog--produced by Mrs. Linda Yollis and her third-grade (!!) class. http://yollisclassblog.blogspot.com

2. A feeble blog--produced by me: The Learning Professor http://thelearningprofessor.blogspot.com/


 * TWITTER**

It is considered to be an example of micro-blogging.

[We won't have time today to talk about Twitter.]

Here is an example of the tweets I have done lately (@LearningProf) http://thelearningprofessor.wikispaces.com/My+Latest+Tweets

Here is good article with which to start: "The Beginner's Guide to Twitter." (Michael Hyatt) http://michaelhyatt.com/the-beginners-guide-to-twitter.html


 * RSS (REALLY SIMPLE SYNDICATION) FEEDS**

Spend a few moments watching this video: http://www.commoncraft.com/rss_plain_english

If some of this RSS business sounds new and strange, look at what is available already through APU web materials.

Go to the bottom of the APU HOME webpage. http://www.apu.edu/

Notice at the bottom left: RSS Click on that. You get the following page: http://www.apu.edu/utilities/rss/


 * GOOGLE READER**

Watch this Google Reader help video: [|http://www.youtube.com/GoogleReaderHelp#p/u/1/o1d-b8wzzMY]

1. You can set up your own Google Reader account here: www.google.com/reader

2. Practice subscribing--with an APU RSS feed:

APU Athletics—All Sports http://www.apu.edu/utilities/rss/feeds/athletics_all_sports.rss

Here are several blogs I subscribe to in my own Google Reader:

Richard Byrne. Free Technology for Teachers. http://www.freetech4teachers.com/

Vicki Davis. Cool Cat Teacher http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/

Pastor Ron Edmonson http://www.ronedmondson.com/

Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/

Edudemic http://edudemic.com/

HomeWord Daily Devotional http://www.homeword.com/daily_devotional.php


 * HOW TO FIND OTHER INTERESTING BLOGS**

Here are some ways you can determine what other blogs/websites you might want to subscribe to:

http://blogsearch.google.com/blogsearch?hl=en
 * 1. Google Blog Search**

Use some of the following search terms:

Elementary school teacher First grade teacher Second grade teacher Sixth grade teacher Social Work High school English teacher Athletic Training

http://www.google.com/
 * 2. Regular Google Search**

Use some of the following search terms:

Top blogs by category Top fitness blogs Top football blogs Top wedding blogs First grade teacher blog [etc.] High school English teacher blogs High school math teacher blogs High school U.S. History teacher blogs

Here are some results that came from those search terms

Social Work Blogs http://www.socialworkblogs.info/

Top 15 music education blogs http://www.onlinedegrees.org/top-15-music-education-blogs/

25 Best math blogs for students in the classroom http://www.onlinedegrees.org/25-best-math-blogs-for-college-students/

Top 25 world languages blogs http://www.onlinedegrees.org/top-25-world-languages-blogs/

Top 20 art blogs for educators http://www.onlinedegrees.org/top-20-art-blogs-for-educators/

Top 25 creative writing blogs for students http://www.onlinedegrees.org/top-25-creative-writing-blogs-for-students/

25 Best Chemistry blogs for college students http://www.onlinedegrees.org/25-best-chemistry-blogs-for-college-students/

Top Ten Graduate Student Blogs http://www.onlinedegrees.org/top-10-graduate-student-blogs/

Nursing Blogs http://msndegree.net/2010/top-25-pediatric-nursing-blogs/


 * 3. Blog Rolls**

When you have a few good blogs you like, work your way through the Blog Roll of what that blogger selects for himself/herself.

Here is an example from my own blog: http://thelearningprofessor.blogspot.com/


 * 4. Websites**

Go to the website itself. Look for the RSS or XML thingy. Click on it. Copy the URL on the page that opens. Paste that URL into the ADD SUBSCRIPTIONS box in Google Reader.

Let's try adding a feed from USA TODAY:

Go to the main USA TODAY website http://www.usatoday.com/

Scroll all the way to the bottom and click on "RSS"

Scroll down on the RSS feed page to TECH and select Personal Tech

Then watch how I can add that feed to my own Google Reader.