Choosing RSS Feeds that work for ME

Firstly a feed to my own website that I am responsible for updating. This primarily will serve as a reminder for me to get on my job, but also allow me to see RSS Feeds as you do. This helps me in my online headline writing—which is far different from print slug writing.
http://www.focusdailynews.com/clients/focusdailynews/headlines.rss

The Diversity at Work Blog hosted by the Poynter Institute is an important one for me. While race isn’t all that matters, but with minorities at an all time low in the newsroom (NABJ, 2009) A voice discussing the issues that matter to me in my own point of view. Especially with the massive layoffs affecting my coworkers and peers.
http://www.poynter.org/media/rss/journalism_with_a_di.xml

In the beginning my strongest point was on the visual side. Photography and Page Design was key for me in securing employment where my other classmates focusing on sports, or entertainment failed. The Visual Voice also by the Poynter Institute keeps me abreast on topics in design, typography and photography. What print redesigns worked and which ones didn’t. It helps me learn from others, without the pain.
http://www.poynter.org/media/rss/the_design_desk.xml

Strange News from the Associated Press is exactly what it is. Quirky, weird, unbelievable tidbits that make for good water cooler conversation or maybe just give me a break from the hard news that could make you a bit cranky.
http://hosted.ap.org/lineups/STRANGEHEADS-rss_2.0.xml?SITE=VOICESD&SECTION=HOME

The RSS FEED from the Texas Press Association is a feeding frenzy if you will. From opinions/editorials from local journalists on issues affecting our community. Some sections include shared advertising revenue opportunities, etc.
http://texaspress.com/index.php?format=feed&type=rss

Story Something: Personalizing the Writing Process

Story Something is an Internet and mobile platform that was originally designed to provide parents with personalized, interactive stories for children 2 to 8 years of age. The service asks parents to supply their child’s age, gender, family information, some information on his or her interests and favorite story categories, and allows parents to instantaneously receive personalized stories of approximately 500-850 words.

But with dismal literacy rates in the United States (U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, 2003) I thought this would be a keen exercise for older students.

Story Something stories–first and foremost–features students in an active, positive way. So this isn’t just a English exercise but a lesson in social skills. Stories that describe students doing and seeing new things, accomplishing tasks, undertaking a new experience, etc. cast the principal character as the hero, and the personalization will allow a student to see himself or herself in that role.

The stories will include limited illustrations so the story will rest on the strength of its narrative.

The finished product will be sent deliverable to a computer or iPhone, etc. At this point Students will take the finished product starring them and rewrite the story in the first person. Students will take an active role in the writing process. From the brainstorming, writing first draft, rewriting, editing and rewriting.

Students will pass the link to their stories to a select group of students who will review and pass on their literary criticisms. Because students are their own strongest critics –they will provide honest and unbiased opinions.

Furthermore students will do their best with stories starring themselves, ensuring their best work. Parent involvement will be key, with this being online parental involvement will be a percentage of the grade. Like this blog parents will be able to comment and stay on their children to complete the assignment successfully.