Abstract:

Nowadays, the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in Higher Education, as a supporting tool for the teaching-learning process is widespread. Moreover, not only as a way to achieve knowledge, but also to develop technological competences. In this sense, new ICTs tools are incorporated day a day, improving the access to the information. Thus, the use of Really Simple Syndication (RSS) has become a very popular way to notify changes about information published on Internet, making easier and quicker its access. The aim of the present study was to evaluate, how the students are accessing to a news channel, provided with a RSS feed. This channel was developed for the Veterinary subject of Animal Nutrition, during the academic course of 2011/2012. The content of the news published was related to professional and scientific aspects of Animal Nutrition. The number of students during the course was 92, and the total number of entries recorded 413. During the first term, the access peaks ranged from 61 (October) to 159 (November). After that, the number of visits decreased, coinciding with holyday and examination periods. In the second term two peaks were measured, one with 48 access in February and another with 80 in May. These peaks matched with the practical activities of the subject. On the other hand, some characteristics about the web browsers and operating systems of the students were recorded, being the web browsers most used: Firefox (51%), Chrome (25%) and Internet Explorer (21%). Furthermore, Windows (86%) and Linux (9%) were the main operating systems used by students. The incorporation of a news channel in the subject of Animal Nutrition, was a quick way to access the information and a motivation tool for the students.

Keywords:

Higher Education, ICTs, RSS, ICT Competences, Education.