Magazine
netTrekker Search
10/29/2012 By: Jamie Keller
www.nettrekker.com • Retail price: $4 per student
With its streamlined interface and
more intuitive search approach,
the newest version of netTrekker
Search makes it easier and faster
for teachers and students to find
and retrieve content specific
to interest and grade level. Gone is the cluttered
interface of orange boxes and tabs, replaced by sleek
and inviting Search and Browse buttons
allowing quicker access to over
330,000 sources of digital
content.
Quality and
Effectiveness: With this
new version, teachers
can add content to
their portfolios on
the fly with a quick
press of the save button
conveniently located on the
tool bar. URLs can also be
copied onto the clipboard and
pasted into Word docs or PDFs for
quick lesson planning and documenting of
sources. 10,000 new images have been added and content is updated
daily keeping it fresh, current, and in line with state standards.
Ease of Use: netTrekker Search’s makeover features a sleeker,
role-specific interface with the added functionality of searching by
key factors of Subject, Theme, Tools, and Famous Person, allowing users to quickly drill down and access the most relevant content.
Details of searches are now limited to those of the highest interest,
and the addition of infinitely scrolling means fewer clicks when
perusing search results. Additionally, teachers can now toggle between
elementary, middle, and high school search results without having to
leave the search page.
Creative Use of Technology: netTrekker Search’s biggest asset
is the wealth of digital, differentiated information available to the
learning community. Teachers can easily develop curriculum by
embedding videos, quizzes, project ideas, and specific URLs into
lesson plans. Additionally, content can be read aloud, defined
and translated from any source page, fostering independence and
empowering ELL students or anyone needing a little extra help.
Suitability for Use in a School Environment: The ability to
quickly and easily view content in a safe and
controlled environment makes netTrekker Search an
invaluable classroom resource. In this newer version,
teachers have the ability to share and save from the
classroom level to the district level, making it easy
to collaborate with other teachers and keep parents
actively in the loop.
TOP FEATURES
• Searching is streamlined making it easier for teachers and students to find exactly what they are looking for.
• Teachers can add content to their portfolios on the fly.
• Students can quickly refine searches based on things like readability level, content type, and language.
OVERALL RATING: With
its streamlined interface,
consistency of look, and
simplified search options, the
new netTrekker Search opens up
exciting new worlds to students and
teachers. With so much out there, it’s
easy to get lost; but not to worry; no
matter where you are, something
new is always around the corner,
and now, you can get there a
whole lot faster.