Weekly Report & Reflection #3

Report

Do you know the saying “you learn something new everyday”? I guess that statement is true. This week, I have learned all about RSS feed readers and how they can be useful to my educational process. The RSS video (click HERE to watch) in the Building Background section explains the benefits of RSS feed readers. RSS feed readers are a form of technology that allow me to select appropriate resources for myself, keep track of my recently used websites, and bring new and relevant information to me from these sites all in one place. Unlike the old method of using bookmarks, RSS feeds are more convenient by not requiring you to check all separate websites for updated information relevant to your interests.

I also learned how to use the Feedly RSS feed reader with the help of another video found in the resource section called “How to use Feedly” (click HERE to watch). This video explained in a step-by-step process how to sign up for Feedly, and the different ways of using and navigating the website. These two videos can be extremely informational and useful tools to help students get accustomed to using these kinds of research tools.

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Reflection

Throughout this third session of the course, I learned about what an RSS Feed Reader is and how to use the Feedly RSS feed reader (click HERE to go to Feedly). On my Feedly reader, I was able to organize the websites that I visit daily and get notifications when new information is updated on a particular website.  The websites that I select to show up on my Feedly reader contribute to my digital footprint. It is important for me to select positive sources in order to build a positive digital footprint. 

An article of interest that I found on my Feedly reader is titled “Badgers Taking Notes” by Brock student blogger, Iain (click HERE to read blog).  This article discussed whether handwritten notes or computer notes are better for learning.  Some benefits of handwritten notes are that you are forced to write only what you think is important and to pick out the main points from the lecture.  It also avoids the possiblility of some distractions, unlike being on a laptop and being able to surf the web (social media). On the other hand, one benefit of taking notes on the computer is that our generation has grown up around technology and feels more comfortable operating with it. In addition, people can add different types of media to their notes, depending on their individual learning style. One app which allows students to copy and paste multimedia information into lecture notes is Evernote. For example, visual learners can add videos and images to their notes, while audio learners can add voice clips.

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Personally, I prefer both types of note-taking, depending on if my professor puts lecture notes online for the students’ convenience. If the notes are available online, I prefer to handwrite any side notes and to focus more on what he is teaching. If notes are not available online, typing notes can be a lot quicker, result in less spelling mistakes and be more organized.

RSS feed readers can be an extremely useful tool for researching information for essays and papers. In my Personal Learning Environment, as discussed in Week 2, RSS feeds can be classified as a research tool or an organize tool. RSS feed readers filter resources based off my interests, provide up-to-date information, and allow me search for particular resources, making research quicker and easier. It also allows me to categorize my resources, keeping my information organized and up-to-date.

Cheers,

Robert DeMelo