<via Anne> Ken Tompkins from Richard Stockton State College here in NJ has created a Web log resource site for his colleagues, and he offers a straightforward description of how students can benefit from RSS.
However, there is a clever work around for personal emails to friends and colleagues. It involves using an aggregator and a weblog. This idea would work wonderfully in class as a safe, virus-free means of keeping in touch with your students.
Here is how it would work:
1. Have your students download and install one of the free aggregators on their personal computer.
2. Set up a weblog as the place to put content/messages for the class.
3. Have your students include the XML address of your weblog in their aggregators.
4. Put content on your weblog.
5. The students’ aggregators will check your weblog each hour and will aggregate any changes you have made to its content.This may SOUND complex. Actually, it is fairly simple and would be incredibly easy to set up and use.
It is a genuine alternative to email with the same effects without the problems.
I would only add that with Bloglines, they don’t need to install a thing. Is this a great world or what?
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