iGoogle : G adgets and RSS feeds

1. iGoogle:Gadgets and RSS feeds Tamblyn G. Green

2. Learning Objectives Discuss how the Internet evolved and what it is like today. Identify the various types of individuals, companies, and organizations involved in the Internet community and explain their purposes. Describe device and connection options for connecting to the Internet, as well as some considerations to keep in mind when selecting an ISP. Understand how to effectively search for information on the Internet and how to properly cite Internet resources. List several useful things that can be done using the Internet, in addition to basic browsing and e-mail. Discuss censorship and privacy and how they are related to Internet use.

3. Overview • This chapter covers: • The evolution of the Internet • The Internet community • Different options for connecting to the Internet • Internet searching • Common Internet applications beyond Web browsing and e-mail • Censorship and privacy issues

4. Agenda • RSS Feeds • Gadgets for Education • Faculty Needs • Student Needs • Definitions

5. DigitalContent • Build a Learning Repository using Subject Subject Asset Asset Asset Asset

6. Three Reasons to Use Learning Objects • To improve quality of the learning experience • To benefit from content reusability • To use course materials efficiently

7. Gadget Capabilities Gadgets can do what the Web can do… • Deliver Interactive Content • Enhance Information Visualization • Engage with Multimedia Presentation • Provide RSS feeds • All for Information Push • Network Users

8. iGoogle

9. Faculty Needs • Gadget building support • Design • Video production • Testing • Revision, Editing • Porting into various formats: Widgetbox, Facebook • Environment: iGoogle • Selection of Gadgets

10. Relevance to Web 2.0 • Some Web 2.0 Key Features • REST Services • Use of RSS/Atom feeds • Client interfaces are “mashups” • Gadgets, widgets for portals aggregate clients • So… • We provide RSS as an alternative WS format. • We have experimented with RSS feeds, using Yahoo Pipes to manipulate multiple feeds. • CICC Web interfaces can be easily wrapped as universal gadgets in iGoogle, Netvibes. • Alternative to classic science gateways.

11. RSS Feeds/REST Services • Provide access to DB's via RSS feeds • Feeds include 2D/3D structures in CML • Viewable in Bioclipse, Jmol as well as Sage etc. • Two feeds currently available • SynSearch – get structures based on full or partial chemical names • DockSearch – get best N structures for a target • Really hampered by size of DB and Postgres performance.

12. Why Google? • Easy to use • Extensive tools • iGoogle • personalization options • Expand knowledge with select RSS feeds • Blogger for sharing • GoogleDocs for collaboration • GooglePages for easy web authoring and publishing sites

13. Why iGoogle? • Bookmarks conveniently located from any computer with Internet access • Resources at the touch of a button

14. What others have to say about iGoogle… “iGoogle is great and I love customizing it.” “It keeps my RSS feeds and gadgets in one place in a tidy way.” “Took about 5 minutes and I had my own theme.” “iGoogle is so fun!” “iGoogle really helps with research. From the links i can keep an eye on any relevant news feeds.” “I love iGoogle! It has a lot of customization features.”

15. Example of iGoogle with Bookmarks

16. Example of iGoogle www.google.comusername: seafordtechnology@gmail.com password: seaford2009

17. Let’s Get Started!

18. Sign Up for a Gmail Account (if you don’t already have one)

19. Set up an iGoogle Account www.google.com

20. Sign up

21. Themes

22. Select Your Theme

23. Add Gadgets • Click on “add stuff” • Choose gadgets • Click on “add it now” • Continue to browse through pages and click “add it now” for each gadget you like

24. Adding Gadgets

25. Deleting Gadgets Click on arrow pointing down and click on delete or simply click the x

26. Moving Gadgets • Simply left click and hold on the top of the gadget that you want to move • Move your mouse to the desired location where you wish to move your gadget • Unclick the mouse

27. Bookmarks • In “Search for Gadgets,” search bookmarks • Once you find it, click “add it now” • Copy and paste URL’s from the Internet into the “URL Box” • Each URL can be given a name (ex. www.seaford.k12.de.us can be named Seaford School District • Add as many URLs as you need

28. Adding SMS RSS (Really Simple Syndication)Feed • Click “Add Stuff” • Click “Add feed or gadget” • Copy and paste URL: http://agi.seaford.k12.de.us/sites/jwwhite/blog/Lists/Categories/Category.aspx?Name=SharePoint • Add as many RSS feeds as you wish

29. Want to Learn More about iGoogle or Want to view a Tutorial? • Visit Jim’s Instructional Planning Website to get more information on iGoogle http://agi.seaford.k12.de.us/sites/jwwhite/Technology%20Wiki/session%20planner.aspxClick “iGoogle” for additional resources

30. Getting Started with Google • Go to google.com • Select iGoogle in upper right corner • Use your gmail account to sign into iGoogle • iGooglemini tour: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pbf0dlESX8E • AtomicLearning.com – also offers tutorials

31. Customize Your Page • Personalize your iGoogle home page • Click on “Select Theme” (upper right) • Browse and click on a theme for header • Select gadget to keep or find more by clicking on “Add Stuff” (upper right) • Add 5 or 6 different gadgets and return to your iGoogle main page • Click on header bar of gadget to move it around • Consider your topics and add category tabs • Find the HOME tab, click on the “Add a Tab” hotlink • Return to HOME page to arrange gadgets

32. Expand Your Own Knowledge with RSS Feeds • RSS feeds link to blog sites • News, Sports, Cooking, Edtec, Education, etc. • Some popular education feeds: • http://edweb.sdsu.edu/courses/comet572/feeds.php • http://www.kootmansclass.com/ (local teacher) • Explore and add to your page • If there isn’t a RSS symbol, check the end of the URL for the orange RSS symbol, click it • Organize your feeds under tabs to locate topics quickly

33. Finding More Feeds • Find more RSS feeds on your iGoogle page: • Pull down menu “More --> Even More” • Select: • “Blog Search” and explore, click the RSS Feed orange icon or the letters RSS, opt to add those you like to your Google homepage

34. Extras • Search for gadgets that you are looking for

35. More Videos • Opening up Google Docs: http://screencast.com/t/4Re8yRAKX • Google Docs interface: http://screencast.com/t/J67luePBQk • Managing files and folders: http://screencast.com/t/qY6mp1Cv6 • Uploading to Google Docs: http://screencast.com/t/hLKMp4y7nvX • Creating Google Docs: http://screencast.com/t/CqMvqU0fwQ2 • Sharing Google Docs: http://screencast.com/t/VnLzh0Xhwt • Accessing a shared Google Doc: http://screencast.com/t/4QNZ5u0D • Collaborating/Commenting on a Google Doc: http://screencast.com/t/Kgq5dN9FvR

36. Making Your Own Blog • Return to your iGoogle page, pull down menu “More --> Even More” • Select “Blogger” and follow the prompts to establish your account • Blogger Help is found at: • http://help.blogger.com/

37. How to Post to your Blog • Find how to post to your new blog at: http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?answer=41378&topic=12507 • Post your blog addresses in theDiscussion Forum • You may continue to use your existing blog

38. GoogleDocs • Return to your iGoogle page, pull down menu “More --> Even More” • Select “Docs” • Select “New” to create a document in GoogleDocs or “Upload” to transfer a document from your computer to GoogleDocs

39. You can also use Google Forms to do research… • Create a survey using Google forms • Collect data • Google forms will analyze the results for you • Preliminary analysis of course • Example from the Digital landcape team • Click Formsshow summary

40. Assignments for Week 2 • Set up and personalize iGoogle page with tabs • Find and subscribe to RSS feeds, organize them under your iGoogle page tabs • Set up Blogger account and start your own blog • Post your thoughts about these new tools and how you might use them to extend your knowledge or with your students • Feel free to use your existing Blog • Share your blog address with classmates in the forum "Blog Addresses" • Subscribe to each others' blogs and leave comments for several • Post your thoughts on the discussion today in the forum "Learning Theories and Current Tech Uses"