HTS09+Web+2.0+Information+Organization+Tools+Tuesday+AM

=Web 2.0 Information and Organization Tools=

Jason Neiffer, Facilitator
Welcome to Web 2.0 Information and Organization Tools! I am so happy to be part of the first year of HELENA TECH STUFF!



Special Note!

For this workshop, we will be utilizing the Google Reader, Google's RSS reader. It is consider by many to be the best tool available for RSS information organization. It is required that you have a Google/Gmail account to use this service. If you didn't sign up for one yet (and I believe you were instructed to do so already), please do it [|NOW]!

__**The Rules**__

 * This is an open environment, so I encourage you to ask questions, make comments about your own experiences or direct the conversation wherever you perceive it needs to go.
 * You are free to explore any website longer than we do as a group and use this time how you see fit. However, make every effort to not distract the group or hold side conversations out of respect of me and your colleagues.
 * Have fun. :)

__**Technologies at Work at this Workshop**__

 * I asked you to use Firefox today as the best browser for modern web browsing. Firefox was the first to utilize tab browsing, which is critical functionality for advanced, organized web browsing. I will demonstrate. :) For teachers in the room, I have begun teaching basic browsing technique to my students in classes with a lot of success. Consider implementing basic computer instruction at the start of each unit... it is a time well spent that often saves time later!
 * This workshop page is hosted on a Wiki, my preferred platform for workshop session notes. The HTS planning committee was very interested in setting this standard for district workshops as an alternative to paper handouts. They are easy to update, easy to edit, easy to create collaborative space and most importantly, [|Wikispaces] offers [|free wikis to K-12 educators] for advanced features. This wiki will be here forever and ever so you do not need to take notes about specific links, nor do you need this information on paper. It is important to me that when possible, we move away from needless paper handouts.
 * All annotated screen shots were captured and notated using the excellent software application [|Jing]. The free version allows for easy capturing and annotating of still shots or you can take videos that screen capture. It integrated very well with Wikispaces. I purchased the $14.95 upgrade to Jing pro, which is worth every penny.

=__Before we start... THE PROBLEM!__=

Too much information!

Google says there is [|1 trillion webpages]. Although that sounds like it means that there is a ton of great information, we all know that for [|every] [|great] [|webpage] with incredible resources, there are pages that range from [|brain candy] to [|amusing, but utterly worthless]. So, how do you help find what is good and useful and push out what is bad?

=__**Part I: RSS Feeds for Information Management**__=


 * What is RSS technology?**

media type="youtube" key="0klgLsSxGsU&rel=1" height="355" width="425"
 * RSS in Plain English...by Common Craft**


 * How can you utilize RSS feeds to organize information?**

We are using [|Google Reader], which is my preferred browser. I like Google Reader because it is being constantly updated and has a cutting edge interface. Once you sign up for Google Reader, you have access to Google's suite of amazing tools: GMail (the best web-based email available), Google Documents and other cutting edge services. It is highly recommended. There are literally hundreds of ways to read RSS feeds; if you don't like Google Reader, others recommend [|Bloglines], [|Pageflakes], or you can try one of the many, many [|others].
 * Step One: Find a browser that you like.**


 * Google Reader Tour:**




 * Is an RSS feed available?**

Subscribing to an RSS Feed Using Google Reader** (I will demonstrate this in the workshop, but these videos will show you the process for later!) media type="custom" key="4014283"
 * [[image:MultipleRSSFeeds.png]]
 * media type="custom" key="4014275"

Step Two: Find RSS feeds from commercial news sites.** Almost every major news or media site on the Internet offers an RSS feed for content. Some are full feeds, meaning that they send all of the information via the feed. Some just send headlines, so you are forced to click a link to see the full story. Either way, it provides a snapshot of new content on your favorite new sites.


 * Examples:**
 * CNN.com: [|Main Site] //[|Specific Subjects]// [|Audio and Video]
 * BBC.co.uk: [|Main Site] //[|Specific Subjects & Video]//
 * //ABC News: [|Main Site]// [|Specific Subjects & Video]
 * New York Times: [|Main Site] //[|Specific Subjects]// [|Audio Podcasts]
 * Seattle Times: [|Main Site] [|Specific Subjects]
 * The delightful Independent Record: [|Main Site]


 * Examples for Student Readers:**
 * [|Science News for Kids]
 * [|Word of the Day]
 * [|SAT Tip of the Day]
 * [|Kodak Picture of the Day]

"New Media" like citizen journalism, blogs, podcasting and the like are ALL ABOUT RSS feeds as they allow readers to keep close track to new content.
 * Step Three: Find RSS feeds from "New Media" sites.**


 * Examples:**
 * Political Blogs: [|Daily Kos], [|Crooks and Liars], [|The Daily Dish], [|Little Green Footballs]
 * YouTube? Woo hoo!: [|YouTube RSS Feeds]
 * VideoCasting: [|RocketBoom]
 * Picture of Media Sharing: [|Flickr]

RSS isn't just for static content; they can be a powerful search to constantly look out to the Internet to find changes or updated information.
 * Step Four: Find RSS feeds that find things for you**


 * Examples:**
 * Google News: [|Main Site]
 * Blog Search via Technorati: [|Main Site]


 * Step Five: Funky RSS Feeds**
 * [|30 Uses of RSS Feeds]

=__**Part II: Social Bookmarking via Delicious.com**__=


 * What is social bookmarking?**

media type="youtube" key="x66lV7GOcNU&rel=1" height="355" width="425"
 * Social Bookmarking in Plain English...by Common Craft

Part I: Tag!**

Main Delicious site [|here]. The easiest way to use Delicious is using the [|browser tools]. Have I mentioned how much I love Firefox? :)

media type="custom" key="4014365"
 * How to Tag Using Browser Tools

How to Tag Using Copy and Paste media type="custom" key="4014375"

Part II. Share!

My username is "neiffer."**
 * Neiffer's Delicious bookmarks are [|here.]**


 * Part III. Receive!**