netTrekker Blog

Getting the Message Out

Your project folder is complete, and now it’s time to share it with your students. You can share your folder either in a class folder (that you create) or the existing school or district folder.

The District folder and the “Create a Class” feature were introduced in December of 2007. The District folder makes it possible to share your project folders with any other teacher or student within your district. The class feature allows you to create a class that your students can join by entering the secret word (that you assign). You can learn more about creating a class with this video tutorial.

In order to get your folder into one of those areas, you have three choices. You can move, copy or bookmark. Everyone has their preference of which one, but I personally prefer the bookmark method. Here are my reasons:

· If you move your folder to the district or school, the admin has the right to delete it. It wouldn’t be done on purpose, I’m sure, but accidents happen. There’s no way to retrieve a deleted folder.

· If you copy a folder to the district or school, and then update your original folder later, you’ll need to make sure you update the copied folder as well. I know I would forget to do this.

· If you bookmark a folder, you are actually creating a shortcut to your project folder. If you update the folder, then everyone will be able to see the update. If the bookmark gets deleted, you still have your main folder. Your work would not be lost.

Here are the steps to bookmarking a folder:

1. Open the folder you want to share.

2. Click on Edit

3. Click on Advanced Options (in the Edit Window)

4. Select who you want to view and who you want to have the rights to change the folder. (I usually select everyone in the district to view, but I don’t change the rights to the change the folder unless it’s a collaboration project.)

5. Save the changes (that window will go away)

6. Click on Bookmark (middle of the folder window)

7. A new window will appear asking if you’re sure this is what you want to do. Click Save.

8. The bookmark will appear in your main portfolio. Go back there and put a checkmark next to the BOOKMARK.

9. Click on MOVE and select the destination.

One quick important note, you will need do the advanced options for each subfolder of the main folder you are bookmarking. You will not need to bookmark the subfolders.

For the videos on netTrekker d.i.’s My Portfolio, check out our HELP section.

Tags: bookmarking, My Portfolio, netTrekker, netTrekker d.i., sharing