Trying Out Feedly: Turning Information Overload into a Personal Learning Tool

 

This week, I didn’t just read about Feedly I actually used it. That ended up being the difference between “understanding a tool” and adding something useful to my toolbox. What started as a simple assignment turned into something I can genuinely see myself using long-term, both professionally and personally.

First Impressions: What Feedly Actually Does

Before trying it, my understanding of Feedly was pretty surface-level: a news aggregator that pulls content into one place. After working with it, I’d describe it differently it’s more like a personalized intelligence dashboard.

As described in the course eBook, Feedly is a tool that “aggregates news and RSS feeds into a single platform, allowing users to stay up to date with topics of interest” (Antill, 2026). That sounded useful, but abstract. Once I logged in and started adding sources, it clicked.

Learning the Tool by Actually Using It

I created a free account and immediately started building out my feed. Instead of randomly adding sources, I approached it with intention:

  • I created folders for:
    • Educational Technology
    • Training & Development
    • Leadership
  • Then I added sources like blogs, news sites, and industry publications

Within minutes, I had a live stream of curated content updating in real time.

One thing that stood out was how quickly the platform became useful. Feedly doesn’t require advanced setup it becomes valuable as soon as you start following relevant sources.

According to Feedly’s own documentation, “Feedly helps you keep up with the topics and trends that matter to you without information overload” (Feedly, n.d.). After using it, I’d say that’s accurate but only if you’re intentional about what you follow.

What I Learned by Using Feedly

Actually using the tool changed how I think about information consumption.

1. It Reduces Friction

Instead of jumping between websites, everything comes to me. That alone saves time and mental energy.

2. It Encourages Continuous Learning

I found myself casually browsing articles I wouldn’t normally seek out. This aligns with the idea that curated content tools can support ongoing professional growth.

3. Organization Matters More Than the Tool

If you follow too many sources, it becomes overwhelming fast. The value comes from curation, not just aggregation.

How I Would Use Feedly Going Forward

Now that I’ve tried it, I can see several practical applications:

  • Professional Development
    Staying current with trends in training, leadership, and digital learning
  • Content Curation for Training
    Pulling relevant articles to share with teams or learners
  • Research Support
    Tracking reliable sources for ongoing projects instead of starting from scratch each time
  • Daily Learning Habit
    Replacing random scrolling with intentional reading

Additional Resources That Helped Me Understand Feedly

To go beyond the ebook, I explored a few external resources that helped me better understand how to use Feedly effectively:

  • Feedly Help Center
    This was the most practical starting point. It explains setup and features clearly:

“You can organize your feeds into collections and prioritize what matters most” (Feedly, n.d.).

  • Educational Technology Blogs (via Feedly itself)
    Ironically, the best way to learn Feedly was through Feedly. By following ed-tech blogs, I saw real examples of how professionals curate information.
  • Articles on RSS and Information Management
    These helped me understand the bigger picture. RSS tools like Feedly aren’t just about convenience they’re about managing cognitive load in a digital world.

Challenges I Ran Into

It wasn’t all smooth:

  • At first, I added too many sources and got overwhelmed
  • Some feeds were lower quality than expected
  • It took some trial and error to find the “right” content mix

But that process was actually part of the learning. The tool becomes better as you refine it.

Final Thoughts: From Assignment to Toolbox

The biggest takeaway from this experience is simple: you don’t really learn a tool until you use it.

Reading about Feedly gave me understanding. Using it gave me value.

Feedly is now something I can realistically see myself using regularly not because I have to, but because it makes staying informed easier and more intentional.

 

References

Antill, K. M. (2026). Feedly. In Designing Better Learning in a Digital Landscape. Idaho State University.

Feedly. (n.d.). Getting started with Feedly. Retrieved from https://feedly.com

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