Website: http://www.nettrekker.com/Publisher/Place of Publication/Date: Thinkronize, Inc., dba netTrekker, was founded in 1999.
Price: $548(per school based on District purchase)
ISBN: N/A
Dewey: N/A
Reading Level: Varies
Brief Description of Content: netTrekker is an Internet search engine created specifically for use in K-12 educational settings. It is primarily organized by grade, content area, standards, or subject. References to reading levels can also be found.
Personal Review: netTrekker is a useful tool for students trying to get information off the Internet. It is a great teaching tool that can help prepare students for using Google and other such general search engines. This is especially true for younger children, however, just because elementary aged children can use this tool to search for websites, it doesn't mean they can actually read, or get meaningful information, off the sites that they find. I think it is also used as a substitute for teaching search strategies and critical consideration of websites and the information they contain. It is a useful tool for teachers in that it allows you to search based on standards.
Review Sources:
MacWorld
PCWorld
Standards:
Users can search extensively based on Georgia Performance Standards. For example, a search on math standards for kindergarten brought me down to the very specific skill of "counting." I was able to search and found several websites offering activities to reinforce this skills.
Selection rationale:
This is a well-designed tool that helps students avoid the mass of information available on the Internet. It helps filter out inappropriate or commercial sites and allows students and teachers to focus on content. If presented properly, it can help students get used to viewing quality sites and begin to understand what makes a quality, or reliable, web site.
Comments