Web Wizardry Series2010 – 2011Amy ObertsLibrary Media SpecialistOakland Elementary School

JogtheWeb

Web 2.0 Tool #2

How is entering the Library of

Congress similar to facing a blank

search engine window on the

World Wide Web?

Jog the Web

The Tool’s Purpose:Jog the Web allows a teacher to create guided “paths” through selected Internet sites. The teacher can include comments, questions, or directions for each “stop” along the path. A student can progress through the path at his/her own pace, and revisit specific sites with ease. Teachers can also browse “jogs” created by other users.

Quick Descriptors:• A Web 2.0 WebQuest Builder• A Guided Scavenger Hunt• A Filtering Tool to Streamline Information Collection

Why Jog?

• Build background.

• Guide a research task.

• Use with “computer centers.”

• Differentiate staff development, especially during technology trainings.

Positive Features Potential Pit-Falls

Free, fast, and fun.

“Jogs” can be built and edited from any computer with Internet access, regardless of browser or operating system.

Students can interact with pre-selected websites.

The “teacher’s voice” (through written comments) guides the students’ virtual tour.

A “jog” ends with a page of advertisements and option to leave comments.

Some Internet sites (nicknamed “frame-busters”) “break through”Jog the Web’s structure.

Website addresses unexpectedly change; teachers will need to periodically review and edit their “jogs.”

This tool is still in “BETA”—it’s layout has changed at least three times in the last year.

Considerations Before Creating an Account

May I Seea Sample,Please?

Click a Jog’s Title to Explore:

• Web 2.0 Tools

• Google Earth in Education

• A Holocaust Introduction: Terezin

• An Introduction to Anne Frank (Notice the commentary; can be lengthy, if necessary)

• Evaluating Internet Resources(Notice the comments’ page; teacher guidance required)Below: Screenshot of a

Jog

Start Jogging!

www.jogeduc.com

www.jogtheweb.com

Above: Screenshot of a Jog made from the educ site.

As of July 2010, the only different between the two services is the position of the “track menu.”

Account Activation

Note:The two versions of Jog the Web are not synced; a different username and email address is required to establish separate accounts.

Icons for Building a Jog

Wait to click “Exit” until you have finished adding each site to your Jog.

The “Share” button will generate a URL for current Jog. (Note: Jogs are “live” from the moment they are started.)

Rearrange the order of the sites within your Jog using these four

icons.

Odds & Ends

• Don’t forget: Jog the Web allows you to explore Jogs created by other users!

• If you want to shorten the length of the U.R.L. created by Jog the Web, consider using http://bit.ly or http://tinyurl.com.

• On the homepage of the site, Jog the Web offers a free “IE Plugin.” When you find a site you want to add to a track, simply click the “jog” icon. A pop-window will prompt you to enter information.