Feed Readers: What's the Big Deal and How Do I Choose One?
Do you like to read blogs but find it tedious to go to each of your favorite blogs to see if there is a new post? You need to create a feed reader! Never heard of a feed reader? Don't fret! Up until a few days ago, I hadn't heard of this either. Feed readers are tools for avid blog readers where you can create a "one-stop-shop" for all the blogs you follow. Before you hop on in, let me give you a little background on some popular feed readers. I recommend dipping your toe into each one in order to find the perfect fit for you and your blog reading needs.
When analyzing some of the best, free feed readers (because who doesn't love something free?), I used Lindsay Liedke's post "6 Best Free RSS Feed Readers (2022 Edition). Liedke does an excellent job providing pictures of the feed readers, along with a brief description and an easy link to access the tool.
Immediately, I was drawn to some platforms over others. NewsBlur, FeedReaderOnline, and Feeder were at the bottom of my list because their overall look gave me "email inbox" vibes. With two personal email accounts, two small business email accounts, and two school email accounts, I was not interested in something that followed a similar set-up. However, that's not to say they don't have positives and would be great choices for other blog readers! From there, I dipped my toe into Feedly and Inoreader, first. I made accounts with both and found a few different aspects that worked really well:
- Feedly has an AI research assistant named Leo who helps to keep your feed clutter free. It also has an easy search feature that allows users to quickly create folders for the different blog themes they follow.
- Inoreader drew me in right away because of the way the feed highlighted pictures similarly to Pinterest and Instagram.
- There are several different display options, so it can be customized to fit your personal preferences.
- Creating a "School Librarian" feed reader separate from other readers was easy to do.
- Adding sources for blogs I follow required one, simple step.
- The settings allow me to open articles in new windows (always a plus in my eyes), hide articles I've read, and refresh my news stream every 15 minutes.
- The Library Voice - This blog is written by Shannon McClintock Miller, the Director of Innovation Instructional Technology and Library Media at Van Meter School in Iowa, as well as a Future Ready Librarians Spokesperson, Capstone Author, and more! Her blog's slogan is "A place to be heard through creating, technology, connecting, reading, collaborating, and noise," and her posts include podcast episodes with authors, choice boards for virtual library activities, and technology resources such as how to create a Google Classroom.
- Watch. Connect. Read - Head on over to this blog to explore children's literature through interviews and book trailers. John Schu, writer and editor for this blog, provides book reviews, author and illustrator highlights, book trailers, read aloud videos, author interviews, and more!
- The Trapped Librarian - Laura, a recently retired elementary school librarian with 32 years of elementary teaching experience, has written this blog to help librarians make the library the center of the school. Her blog includes posts about bulletin boards and displays, classroom managements, collaboration, library advocacy, professional development, library events, and technology tips. There is a little bit of everything for those currently practicing as school librarians, those about to begin their new career, or those thinking about making the change.
- Mrs. ReaderPants - Leigh Collazo is a librarian and teacher that has taught in Texas, China, and Mexico. Her earlier posts predominantly focused on book reviews and thematic booklists. However, she has added to her librarian toolbox with posts that include lesson ideas and management tips. Her rationale behind the additions is that librarians need to share ideas with one another and rely on more than the professional book reviews that are widely available.
- The Daring Librarian - This blog includes all the things school librarians want and need to know, such as rights of readers, representation within the collection, presentations and printables geared towards newer librarians, and all things technology (websites, apps, etc.). Gwyneth A. Jones, author of this blog, is also a Future Ready Teacher Librarian, Ed Tech Leader, and Google Certified Innovator (just to name a few of her amazing accomplishments). This award winning blog is sure to have something for everyone!
I had to do the same thing and log in to a couple of feeders to learn a little more in-depth about how they worked. I found Leo really interesting, I even clipped a picture of him on my blog. I thought the way Feedly explained how its feeder worked through Leo was very clever! I think after I saw the video on him, I understood what the feeders did. I think I need to give Good News a second look because I decided to use Feeder for mine.
ReplyDeleteI love how visually appealing your blog is. The way you introduce what Feed Readers were and why people use them was such a good approach. Because very few people will know what they are and why they are used. I ultimately went with Feedly because of all the reasons you talked about. I loved Leo, the assistant. This seemed to help with decluttering of all the feeds. Overall, I feel that you really have a knack for blogging.
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