What is RSS?

According to Wikipedia, RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a family of Web feed formats used to publish frequently updated content such as blog entries, news headlines, or podcasts. An RSS document, which is called a "feed," "web feed," or "channel," contains either a summary of content from an associated web site or the full text. RSS makes it possible for people to keep up with their favorite Web sites in an automated manner.

In a nutshell, RSS is a way of delivering content from one Web site or blog to another. Why would you do this? Well, if you continuously read someone's blog and you want to be informed when an update is made, you can subscribe to that blog. Whenever they update the blog you will receive something similar to an e-mail in your Reader which contains a title and a quick description of the new content. If you want to read any of the items, then click them to be taken to the Web site or blog to continue reading the article. There are also other services that allow you subscribe using an e-mail address and updates are sent via e-mail.


RSS can be used to:

• Keep up to date on company information and professional organizations.
• Powerful research tool.
• Receive updates to your favorite blogs and wikis.
• Subscribe to a network of educational bloggers in your same field.
• Share your feeds with other trainers and view their feeds.
• Make announcements to participants after class.
• Track participant blogs and wikis.
• Subscribe to Podcasts. Participants can track each other's blogs and share their feeds.
• You can breakdown the walls of the classroom to provide a connection to the outside world.

Watch this video for an explanation of RSS in Plain English.



Resources:
Using Bloglines (or How to Keep Up With Dozens of Blogs Everyday) RSS: A Quick Start Guide for Educators