M05f - Remote RSS Feeds Block

Keywords: RSS, Really Simple Syndication, embed, content, dynamic, websites, news, current

What is it?

The Remote RSS feeds block is a way to allow you to add dynamic content from websites to your Moodle course. One or more RSS feeds can be added to a course by selecting them from an existing list or adding links to RSS feed URLs.

Why use it?

The RSS block shows current information from external websites within your course for your students to view and investigate further if they wish.

As the information on the other site/s (for example, news headlines or recently added documents) is changed, the block will update to show the latest information.

Who can use it?

Course editors (tutors and course administrators) can add them to a course.

Students can view and click the links to read up-to-date news items.

Before I start...

Find the RSS feeds for news categories or other sources you would like to use by navigating to the news on a website or searching, and then clicking on the RSS icon to access the feed URL, which will end in rss.xml

For example, on the BBC website you can go to a news category and then click the RSS button (on the right hand side) to access the feed URL, which will look something like the following:

http://feeds.bbci.co.uk/news/world/australia/rss.xml

How do I set one up?

1.  Click the Turn editing on button in the top right of your page, then go to the Blocks block and select Remote RSS Feeds from the drop-down list.   
2. You can, of course, move this block around as shown in Miniguide M07.3. Click on the Actions icon in the block title; the Configure Remote news feed Block tab appears.
3. UCL has included a number of possible feeds for you to select if you wish (select the relevant feeds - holding down the *Ctrl *key to select multiple).
4. If you want to add a new feed entirely, click on Add/edit feeds below the feed list, then Add a new feed.
5. You will need the URL of the feed (different from the main news site URL), but this is usually clearly indicated by a link from the main site.7. Click on Add a new feed. You will be taken back to the list of feeds.
6. There isn't an easy way to go back to your RSS feed block now, so you will need to either:
   • click back three times and then the F5 key on your keyboard to refresh the page so it shows your new feed; or
   • return to your course homepage (using the 3rd link in the breadcrumb trail) and click edit again to configure the RSS block.
7. Choose your newly added feed from the list.
8. You can choose the number of entries to show and also add a Title to your block.
9. You can leave the next two options as No.
10. Click on Save Changes.

Caution

- None at this time.

Examples and case studies

- None at this time.

Questions & Answers

- None at this time.

Further information

- None at this time.