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.
 * 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.

I created a Web Safety Trailfire that asks you to probe these websites/articles further.

Excellent examples: Writing a persuasive essay Ecosystems Apartheid

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.
 * Step 1**:

**Step 2**:

 * Create a free account at []
 * Select JOIN TRAILFIRE on the right.
 * Fill in the required information.
 * You need an email account to confirm your registration. An activation email will be sent to the email address used.
 * Click on MY STUFF tab at the top
 * Click on EDIT USER INFO (change picture etc., scroll down to select balloon type and color)
 * Click in DOWNLOAD tab at the top to install Firefox Toolbar add-on.
 * Navigate to a Website of interest, click on Trailfire balloon/note on toolbar to start a trail.
 * ===All new trails must be started from editing the balloons/notes===
 * View the following [|YouTube Tutorial] that provides an introduction to making a Trailfire site.
 * You may want to view the following http://trailfire.com/pages/about/faq.php that provides great information for making a Trailfire.
 * You may want to view the following http://trailfire.com/pages/about/faq.php that provides great information for making a Trailfire.

Keeping in mind your current/upcoming content or unit you are teaching, create aTrailfire that addresses concepts in your teaching area:
 * 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 (i.e. Information Challenges).

Now to take the Voki and Trailfire a Step Further
Vokis can be leveraged Trailfire. If you used a Voki to leave your comments, directions or questions for each web page, you could better engage students with reading difficulties or students with VI. Plus you could have the Voki speak in different languages. This method could support and enhance the multiple learning styles found in all classrooms. Here is a screencast on how to do it.