JogTheWeb

=Jog the Web=

[|Jog the Web] is a tool that allows users to create a guided exploration of websites surrounding a particular topic. Jogs can be created and shared by anyone.

Resources links and/or class examples

 * [|Education Jogs]: Already existing Jogs on Education topics.
 * [|Jog the Web Blog]

Strengths

 * Can create a sample Jog without registering or creating an account.
 * Available in English and French.
 * Firefox Extension available.
 * Can be accessed anywhere by anyone with an Internet connection.
 * Teacher (or Jog creator) can leave comments about web pages.
 * Teacher (or Jog creator) can leave directions for each web page.
 * Similar to a customized search engine
 * You can organize websites into one easy link, but it is more visually dynamic than a customized search engine.
 * You can order sites by what you want the user to discover first-- unlike a customized search engine.
 * You can categorize the jog after creating the title, so teachers can easily put it into a context for students use.

Weaknesses

 * Must register and create an account to add comments to a Jog.
 * Must have a valid e-mail address to register and create an account.
 * Relatively new website.
 * Limited new of users.
 * Support often given by native French speakers - language mistakes could be confusing for children

Opportunities

 * Search existing Jogs
 * Create multiple Jogs
 * Use Jogs created by others
 * Teacher-guided learning on particular topics, especially controversial ones.

Threats

 * Students may have access to Jogs with adult content.
 * Jogs are accessible by anyone.
 * You can easily create a jog that uses sites that lack validity. No accountability.

Ideas for the classroom

 * Create a 'how to' Jog for students to learn how to use certain programs (Ex: Power Point Tutorial)
 * Introduce a topic through a Jog (Ex: U.S. Presidents)
 * Help students review for a test (Ex: Math concepts)
 * Have students create a Jog to assess student learning
 * Have students create a Jog as part of a lesson on Internet research and technology
 * Demonstrate how easily students can gather incorrect information on the internet (use of a targeted Jog to prove a point about website validity)