Choose your tool

Dear Dr. Finch,

I am very excited because I have learned of a new tool in my technology class that could be integrated into our content and curriculum in the classroom. Students love using technology and really enjoy having the freedoms to research on the web. There are times when google can be an iffy tool but students want to be independent and look stuff up on their own. The tool that I have learned and researched about would be awesome for the students that still want freedom to explore but are being guided at the same time. The tool is called Trailfire.

Trailfire can be used to guide students without them being restricted to just one site. The site is used to guide people and in this case our students to relevant information on the web. For example if I wanted my students to research on immigration. If I were to give the students free rein most of the students would choose to google "immigration". With this tool, I can find reliable, relevant websites that provide the information that I am really looking for and tag these sites for my students. This allows students to sift through information that I have given but they still have the freedom to choose what site they will use but with the suggestions of myself.

I think that this tool would be very beneficial for all students in the school. Many times students have a hard time deciphering whether information is reliable or not. I believe that some students feel that all information on the web is reliable but in reality it is not. I would love to share my knowledge of this new tool with the other teachers in our building. This tool could enhance the learning of students and teachers in all content areas if used appropriately.

Thanks,

Michelle