Ok I will admit it. I have been known to sign up for a new tool, play with it for a while, and then abandon it. I am sure I am not the only one, right? This was the case with Google Reader. I set up my space when I went to the Google Teacher's Academy in 2008. I thought it was really cool for catching up on all of the blogs that I wanted to read. Then the unread posts number started to rise as I had less time to read. It got so overwhelmed that instead of just clearing my unread posts, I just abandoned the tool.
So when I revisited Google Reader, I was pleasantly surprised by some of the updates. There is a whole new "People You Follow" section that shows the blogs of people I follow on Twitter and Google+. There are Notes where I can share comments, websites, and more. If I don't know what to still follow I can use bundles saved by others. I love that there is now an app for my Android phone so I can read on-the-go (of course not while driving).
Probably the best reason for me to personally use Google Reader is to read posts without distractions. When I just visit blogs, I get distracted by the blog design, links, images, widgets, and more. Google Reader lets me focus on just the content which actually allows me to read more and remember to visit my favorite blog writers. It was so easy to add new blogs from those that I met at ISTE '11.
In the past, I used Google Reader in the classroom too. Each student in my 8th grade classes had a blog as a portfolio for their projects. Instead of visiting each blog to check for updates, I created groups for each class. I would check once a day for updates and it was super easy to add feedback.
I am glad I had a chance to re-visit Google Reader.
Loved your caption. When reading your post, I could have been reading about me. i try everything, sometimes before I even know what I am going and make it more complicated than it has to be because I did not fully understand how to use it. I am learning to slow down and play a while before I sign up and overwhelm myself.
ReplyDeleteEveryone went to ISTE but me, I feel so left out, lol. I loved your graphics, so cute!
ReplyDeleteI too am guilty of the sign up and forget. But I can use my blog or wiki and google reader to keep me on track. I can hook em all together and use it that way too! The possibilities are endless.
I end up off task on shoe links on blogs also. That's probably why I take hours reading blogs, when I can just use my Google Reader and knock out the distractions.
I had a similar experience with Google Reader. I had it embedded in my iGoogle page, but had not updated it in a while. It is so much more interactive.
ReplyDeleteI did not go to ISTE, either.
Through RSS feeds I can read more, even though it is just short snippets, it serves the purpose most of the time. I don't have to search for articles for students, as they just pop out and I click on them. Establishing the right feeds is the key.
Your point about viewing feeds without distractions on Google Reader, just may be the suggestion that keeps me going back. I hadn't really thought about how much I get distracted on all those other sites. Now that you brought it up, it has made me pay attention to that and gives me another valid reason to use Google Reader!
ReplyDeleteThanks!!!
I am so relieved that I am not alone! I, too had signed up ages ago & had it on my iGoogle page (at least on one of them, but that's another story). When I was actively using it, it was cool to check in every day and see what new library cartoon was there to read. And then, life and grad classes intruded on my wonderful little Internet world and RSS and iGoogle was one of the things that I no longer had time for in my life. Of course, life being what it is, I still don't have time, but I like the updates so I'm going to try it again. Perhaps the first time, I just didn't make the wisest choices for RSS feeds. We'll see if I do better this time around.
ReplyDelete