Bit.ly Bundles

For those who use Bit.ly to shorten long URLs, the introduction of Bit.ly Bundles is pretty significant. Here is the idea: You want to send someone else not one, but several links. Rather than send each one individually, Bit.ly Bundles provides one shortened URL which takes the reader to your entire list.

Let's take an example. On this blog, I have talked about the iGoogle page several times. I took the URL for each of those posts and "bundled" them. To view the bundle, go to http://bit.ly/bundles/drfrankbuck/2

How do you create a bundle? First, choose each URLs you want to include and paste them in the "shorten your links" window at the Bit.ly site. Once you have entered each of your URLs, look for the button labeled "Bundle" and click it. Follow the directions for naming the bundle, providing a description, and make note of the URL.

The applications for education are endless:

• A teacher could identify all of the links he/she would be using for an entire unit, grading period, or course and "bundle" them under one URL. The bundled URL would then be made available to students.
• A principal could identify a variety of URLs related to a professional development unit and "bundle" them under one URL.
• A school system could identify a variety of links to news stories related to the programs, athletic events, fine arts events, etc., and bundle them under one URL.

For those who are using QR Codes, you can even turn the "bundled" link into a QR Code.

I am just learning about this function, so I am sure there are nuances still to learn.

What uses do you see for Bit.ly Bundles?