TechnologLeadershipBookSummary

//RSS for Educators, Blogs, Newsfeeds, Podcasts, and Wikis in the Classroom// by John G. Hendron

Would you like to know the ins and outs of Real Simple Syndication (RSS), wiki’s podcasts, and/or blogs and learn the benefits of creating them as well? If you would, then read the book //RSS for Educators, Blogs, Newsfeeds, Podcasts, and Wiki’s in the Classroom// by John G. Hendon. Hendon explains in easy-to-understand detail what Really Simple Syndications (RSS) is all about and how a student can use the service to track any new posts to web pages that the RSS is pointing towards, such as lecture notes (p . 2). Blogs are web logs, or journals (p . 4). Hendon brings the concept of posting to blogs into the classroom in simple terms that a non-techie can easily understand. His experience as a teacher is woven throughout the book. Today, as in years past, people will post to their blog and often create controversy. Hendron says “the best blogs, inside education or out, have less to do with design aesthetics and more to do with content” (p . 27). Wiki is a term coined from the Hawaiian word //wiki// meaning quick (p . 33). Wiki pages can be very long or very short and can be edited by anyone, sometimes with permission or by asking to join the wiki, producing the Read/Write component to the web (p . 33). Hendron points out that Wikis are always “under construction” (p . 45) signifying that change in the web world is constant and never static. Podcasts have a growing popularity and can be subscribed to using RSS aggregator to deliver updated content to the learner (p . 47). Podcasts can be either audio and/or video. The popularity of podcasts is due in part to the popularity of MP3 players making possible learning “on the go” (p . 49). The easiest way to keep up with podcasts is through Apple iTunes (p . 50). Podcasting is in its infancy (p . 68) and being examined for many uses both inside and outside of education. Synchronous voice communications such as Skype, Gizmo Project and MSN messenger give educators another tool and a different way for students to learn (p . 70). This type of communication, called tele-collabrative communication (p . 83), gives way to collaboration and allows students the experience of seeing their peers across town, across the hall or in a different country. The heart of Hendron’s book rests in Chapters 5 through 13 where he goes into great detail of “how to. ” He explains how to create a blog in the classroom, how to create a wiki, and presents ideas for using them in the classroom. He also illustrates how different learners are reached using podcasts (p . 95). In the application section, the author exposes you to recording and editing Audacity and GarageBand (p . 101) software, and details how to record, edit and export your work. Classroom applications are discussed at great length for all the topics Hendron has talked about throughout the book. His expertise and love of the technology is revealed in his ability to relate to the reader the multiple applications, project ideas and vast glossary of websites to extend your knowledge.

Reference Hendron, J. G. (2008) //RSS for Educators, Blogs, Newsfeeds, Podcasts, and Wikis in the Classroom////. //Washington, D. C. : International Society for Technology in Education.