Last March, I conducted several email interviews to prepare my column about Real Simple Syndication (RSS) for the June 2006 issue of University Business: “RSS: The Next Big Thing in University Web Communications.â€
Sean Blanda, student blogger at CollegeV2, answered these questions last March.
1) In your opinion, what makes RSS an interesting communication channel to reach college students?
College students today are among the first generation to not know the world without the Internet. Subsequently they usually go online first to a variety of sites. RSS helps streamline all of that information into one page allow for easy access. A one stop shop for all the information a college student could want.
2) Should universities use RSS instead of email in their communications with their students?
Only for broad announcements should universities consider RSS. But it would be foolish to abandon e-mail.
3) Personally, why do you use RSS for?
I use RSS to keep track of all of my favorite blogs and news sources. I also use technorati to “spy†on whenever anyone posts a certain phrase. Basically I use RSS like it’s a magazine subscription to the world.
RSS feeds are just another tool to help students manage the ongoing flow of information coming at them. If it’s easy, not intrusive, and tailored to their interests, I think prospective students are the ideal audience to embrace and take advantage of this new medium.