Use Google Reader to Interact with Students with Relevant Web Content in 10 Easy Steps

Technology affords faculty to access countless sources of content on a second-by-second bases. Sometimes, it takes a few tips to move faculty from the theoretical aspect of this statement to the application of this fact in their classrooms.

In this post, I want to introduce you to Google Reader and the potential for it being a useful tool to interact with your students AND leverage as a tool to provide relevant content in a timely manner that requires nothing but a few minutes to set-up.

Enjoy experimenting with the potential of Google Reader.

10 STEPS to GETTING STARTED and USING GOOGLE READER as a LEARNING TOOL

1. Start a Google account.
2. Jump on Google Reader.
3. Find an article that interests you and applies to one of your courses.
4. Add a "Tag" - Don't worry, Google Reader will keep it forever if you want, but make it something short and easy to understand (this makes more sense as you experiment with the URL Google assigns to this tag).
5. Select "Share with note" and write a comment.
6. Select "Manage Subscriptions"
7. Select "Folders and Tags"
8. Make the "Folder/Tag" you created "Public"
9. Select "View Public Page" option
10. Congratulations! You have just begun the fun process of integrating Google Reader in your courses and sharing relevant content that DOES NOT come from an expensive textbook.

I've taken some screen captures and added a few notes below, please feel free to comment and most of all experiment with this great tool.

Pick an item of Interest in Google Reader...

Share your selected item with your students via the "Share with note" option

Click "Manage Subscriptions" and select "Folders and Tags"

Take a look at what you just created... and ENJOY the possibilities!