Trailfire

Trailfire is a Web tool that allows users to save a series of Web pages about some topic. The pages can be annotated with notes or questions, and the trail link can be shared with other users or students for their perusal. This is an easy way for teachers and students to cull a cohesive set of resources about some topic much like you would do for a Webquest activity. Here are some ideas:
 * 1) **Integrate websites into your presentations.** If you plan to show one or more web-pages during a presentation, create a trail ahead of time. All you have to do is click the next button.
 * 2) **Facilitate classroom web exploration.** If you have a class where you want your students to explore a list of websites, create a trail for easy navigation. More importantly, it creates an easy to access archive of the websites. //Bonus:// students can add their own comments to the pages on the trail and continue adding to this resource after the class and even after the course.
 * 3) **Assess a web exploration activity.** If you plan a class activity where students must explore and find information on the internet, have them document the path they followed to find the information. Use the text notes to have students annotate what they found and/or reflections on method. //Bonus:// Demonstrating and reflecting on how to find good information on the web is valuable information to learn, discuss and share.
 * 4) **Creating Web Quests for students.** Many teachers may want to create web quests to use with their class as a learning activity. Trailfire is an extremely easy way to create the navigation component of a web quest.
 * 5) **Student-created Web Quests.** Many teachers also want to have their student create their own web quests. Students will find it easy and intuitive to use Trailfire as a central component of their web quest.

Using readings/websites on Internet safety, I created a [|Web Safety Trailfire] that asks you to probe these further.

Excellent examples:  [|Writing a Persuasive Essay] [|Ecosystems] [|Apartheid] [|Using Rap to Teach Poetry]

Follow these steps to create your trailfire :
 * the following [|YouTube Tutorial] provides an introduction to making a Trailfire site
 * create a free account at http://trailfire.com/

I also recommend downloading the Firefox Web browser from Mozilla at: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/ Trailfire has a plug-in you can download for the Firefox tool bar that will allow you to quick-save your trail marks
 * find a minimum of 5 different Web sites that pertain to your unit or current content
 * create a new trail in trailfire, mark your sites, and write a brief annotation for each mark; or, if you are creating a research trail, write a question or two for each site that you want your students to answer.

Keeping in mind your current/upcoming content or unit you are teaching, create a Trailfire. Post your URL on your Teacher Wiki.