Hello Google Reader, Have we met?

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.

Nice Update Blogger!

I created my original blog, The Tech Tiger, over three years ago. Back then it was difficult to create a unique look without knowing a little code and finding Wordpress templates that could work in Blogger too. It is hard to believe all of the updated design elements that Blogger has to offer. While other bloggers told me it was good and I should give up my difficult template, I was too nervous to make the switch. There was the fear that I wouldn't like the new designs and I couldn't get my old design back. Still not sure whether I want to switch or not, but it is tempting with all of the background image choices. Customizing the look of the blog took just a couple of minutes.

While I use a blog for reflection and sharing tools/ideas with other educators, I would probably not use this for classroom use. My class web site has everything students and parents need to know. Plus, I would feel a tremendous amount of guilt if I did not keep up with a posting schedule.

I could see using Blogger with students and have done it in the past. Every month students had one day to post an appropriate topic of their choice. It was a great way for students to learn the importance of grammar and author's purpose. Students take pride in their work when it is online.