Keeping Students On Track with

TrackStar

Carmen WilliamsMEDT 7461

Fall 2012

I. Read Me FirstII. Overview

Purpose & Rationale Audience Standards Outcomes Guiding Questions Objectives

Table of Contents

The material in this presentation is designed to introduce TrackStar,

a popular Social Bookmarking Tool built for teachers to use in their classrooms. It is designed to organize collections of online resources and Web sites in one location. Before getting started, please click on and read look at the video of the benefits of social bookmarking.

The video can also be found here at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMsT6Zsa_FQ

Before you begin

This Module is created for teachers.  The

purpose is to provide teachers with an introduction to TrackStar.  TrackStar helps educators to either locate and/or create easy accessible web lessons, games, videos, quizzes that are educational and allows students to stay on task since they are located on one track.  

Purpose & Rationale

The intended audience for this in-service

module is mainly for teachers, but can include students or anyone wanting to learn about how TrackStar can be used as an educational tool in a classroom setting.

Audience

Teacher Keys

1. Professional Knowledge The teacher demonstrates an understanding of

the curriculum, subject content, pedagogical knowledge, and the needs of students by providing relevant learning experiences. Demonstrates ability to link present content with

past and future learning experiences, other subject areas, and real-world experiences and applications.

Demonstrates accurate, deep, and current knowledge of subject matter.

Standards

Teacher Keys Cont.

2. Instructional Planning The teacher plans using, state and local school

district curricula and standards, effective strategies, resources, and data to address the differentiated needs of all students. Aligns and connects lesson objectives to state and

local school district curricula and standards, and student learning needs.

TKEYES Standards

Teacher Keys Cont.

3. Instructional Strategies The teacher promotes student learning by using

research-based instructional strategies relevant to the content area to engage students in active learning and to promote key skills. Engages students in active learning and maintains

interest. Effectively uses appropriate instructional technology

to enhance student learning.

TKEYES Standards

Teacher Keys Cont.

9. Professionalism The teacher demonstrates a commitment to

professional ethics and the school’s mission, participates in professional growth opportunities, and contributes to the profession. Participates in ongoing professional growth

activities based on identified areas for improvement (e.g., mentoring, peer coaching, course work, conferences) and incorporates learning into classroom activities.

TKEYES Standards

AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner

Cont. Learners will use skills, resources, & tools to

inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge. 1.1.4 Find, evaluate, and select appropriate sources to

answer questions. 1.1.8 Demonstrate mastery of technology tools for

accessing information and pursuing inquiry. 1.3.3 Follow ethical and legal guidelines in gathering

and using information. 1.3.5 Use information technology responsibly.

Standards

AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner Cont.

Learners will use skills, resources, & tools to draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new situations, and create new knowledge. 2.1.2 Organize knowledge so that it is useful. 2.1.4 Use technology and other information tools to analyze and

organize information. 2.1.5 Collaborate with others to exchange ideas, develop new

understandings, make decisions, and solve problems. 2.1.6 Use the writing process, media and visual literacy, and

technology skills to create products that express new understandings. 2.4.3 Recognize new knowledge and understanding.

Standards

AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner Cont.

Learners will use skills, resources, & tools to share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members of our democratic society. 3.1.1 Conclude an inquiry-based research process by sharing new

understandings and reflecting on the learning. 3.1.3 Use writing and speaking skills to communicate new understandings

effectively. 3.1.6 Use information and technology ethically and responsibly. 3.2.2 Show social responsibility by participating actively with others in learning

situations and by contributing questions and ideas during group discussions. 3.2.3 Demonstrate teamwork by working productively with others. 3.4.3 Assess own ability to work with others in a group setting by evaluating

varied roles, leadership, and demonstrations of respect for other viewpoints

Standards

AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner

Cont. Learners will use skills, resources, & tools to

pursue personal and aesthetic growth. 4.1.7 Use social networks and information tools to

gather and share information. 4.3.1 Participate in the social exchange of ideas, both

electronically and in person.

Standards

National Technology Standards for

Teachers (NETS-T)1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity.

Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments. Teachers:

d. model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments.

Standards

National Technology Standards for

Teachers (NETS-T) cont.2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences

and Assessments Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning

experiences and assessments incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS•S. Teachers: a. design or adapt relevant learning experiences that

incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity.

Standards

National Technology Standards for

Teachers (NETS-T) cont.3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning

Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society. Teachers:

a. collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation.

c. communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats.

d. model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning

Standards

National Technology Standards for

Teachers (NETS-T) cont.5. Digital Citizenship

Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior. Students: b. exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports

collaboration, learning, and productivity.

Standards

Georgia Performance Standards

Government/Civic Understandings SS3CG1 The student will explain the importance of the basic principles that provide the foundation of a republican form of government. a. Explain why in the United States there is a separation of

power between branches of government and levels of government.

b. Name the three levels of government (national, state, local) and the three branches in each (executive, legislative, judicial), including the names of the legislative branch (Congress, General Assembly, county commission or city council).

c. State an example of the responsibilities of each level and branch of government.

Standards

Outcomes

 Teachers will find value in using TrackStar to help collect, organize, and share online sources.

Teachers will establish a TrackStar account and will use it to bookmark online resources for classroom use.

Teachers will collaborate with peers to share and use tracks effectively.

What is social bookmarking? What is Trackstar? How do you register? Is it free? How do I locate/search for tracks? How do I create tracks? Is there a video available to walk me step by

step?

Guiding Questions

Objectives: To provide an introduction as to what TrackStar is To show teachers how to locate tracks, use tracks,

and create tracks using TrackStar To introduce teachers to information literacy and

technology standards. To provide a sample lesson and guided practice

using TrackStar To provoke and interest teachers in the integration

of technology (TrackStar) into the classroom.

Objectives

According to Jackson (n.d.):

A faster and easier way to focus students' online research, however, is with TrackStar, a tool created by the High Plains Regional Technology in Education Consortium (or HPR*TEC), one of ten regional programs funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

TrackStar, which is free to any teacher regardless of his or her physical location, can help students stay "on track" as they research the Web.

TrackStar Overview

If asking yourself why should you use or try

TrackStar, here are a couple of reasons. Conducting Internet searches can be

challenging especially for younger kids because students: lack the skills to evaluate the Web sites they find. are sidetracked at off-topic sites. lack spelling skills, or the skill to decide on an

effective search term. is time consuming, leaving students little time for

real research (Jackson, n.d)

Benefits of TrackStar

Open your Internet browser Type in the following website: http://

trackstar.4teachers.org/trackstar/index.jsp and save it to your bookmarks for easy access. If you forget the website, you can go to any search engine and

type the words TrackStar in the search box or you can go to http://www.4teachers.org/ and click on the TrackStar icon.

Using TrackStar

This is what the the home page looks like.

Create an account

Register for free by clicking on Click Create an Account and Start Making Tracks

Register for free

Register for no cost by filling in registration form. Then click Register.

Logging into TrackStar

Click Login to Make or Edit a Track. There are two places to log in at.

Create a track

Click Make New Track. This page contains your account information.

Making a track

Create a title, the type, subject/area, grade level, and click next which is at the bottom of the page.

Entering sites

Enter the websites that you want students to visit. You can list up to 15 websites.I highlighted this section for your references purposes.

A track number will be assigned (Your track

number will be different from the example one). Click Manage Tracks.

Click the Track name that you want to review Click View in Frames

Editing/Revising a Track

Reviewing your track

Test all your links by clicking on the titles. The website and directions will appear in the right side of the browser.

If you do not have time to create a track, don’t

fret there are plenty that already exist.

Pre-made Tracks

Here is the section that you want to use to search for existing tracks

If you already have done your homework, provide the

track # (such as #260517) you want students to go to and have them type in in the box and press enter

You (or the students) can also do a keyword search. Just type in the keyword (i.e. Branches of government) and press enter.

Also, if you are the author or another team member, type the person’s name in the box and press enter.

You can browse by themes/standards or subjects/grades Finally, you can click the Advanced button for more

options

Searching tips

Example of a Preexisting Track

If you still need help or would like to learn

more about TrackStar, here are some suggestions: http://

trackstar.4teachers.org/trackstar/help/faq.jsp http://

trackstar.4teachers.org/trackstar/help/profdev/main.jsp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPWFCUmOxnU

http://alex.state.al.us/podcast_view.php?podcast_id=993

Still need help

After this training session or after you

independently practice using TrackStar after following the steps to this training, participants are asked to fill out a brief survey providing feedback on the effectiveness of instructional activities. Please click here to access the questionnaire or click here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/C9BJ8KD.

Teacher Feedback

A special thank you to everyone who

participated in this professional development activity on TrackStar. I would like to also recognize and thank the teachers for their enthusiasm and willingness to try something new and my assistants for helping to train teachers and/or manage the media center in my absence.

Acknowledgements

In addition, the LMS will highlight star

achievers of each professional development topic in the school’s newsletter and on the media center’s webpage titled as Technology Teacher of the Month.

Incentives

Teachers will be told to email questions or

comments to me. I or my media center assistants will try to respond within a 24 hour turn around via email.

In the future, I plan to provide additional training on TrackStar, such as additional options for using it in the classroom.

Follow-up and Future Support

References