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My Portfolio

A very powerful feature of netTrekker d.i. is the ability to save all, or part, of your Search Result, Timeline, or Standards Search, then share those results with others in your class, school or district. All these functions involve using My Portfolio, which you access from the My Tools toolbox.

If you access netTrekker d.i. through your school's IP address, you will have access to "community" spaces such as your school's portfolio or your district's portfolio, but you will not be able to save anything in a portfolio yourself unless you are registered as an individual user. You can register for free as an individual user if you want to use this feature.

This Help document will provide information on:

• Saving a Search
• Managing Folders
• Folder-Related Buttons
• Item-Related Buttons
• Creating Classes
• Joining Classes
• Sharing Folders - Advanced Options

1. Perform a Search & Get a Search Result

   Perform a Subject Search, Keyword Search, Famous Person Search, Current Events Search, or a Search in Context in order get a Search Result. You can also save Timelines and Standards Searches.

2. Save Your Search

   You can choose to save some or all of the results from a search. To choose some resources in a search result, click on the check boxes next to the resources you want to save. If your search produces more than one page of results, you can click on boxes next to resources on any page of the result and save all your choices at once.

   You can choose to save all the resources from a single page of a search result. To do this, just click at the top of the page. To save all your search results, you will do this process on each page. You can also choose all the resources from one page of a search result and selected resources from other pages, combining them in a single Saved Search.

   Once you have chosen all the resources you want to save, click , located at the top of your Search Result, to save your search.

3. Update Your Search

   netTrekker d.i. will display a new page containing all your results in one spot. Although this page is currently saved as is, it is highly recommended that you make necessary updates to your search now rather than later.

   Example of a Saved Search:
   

   The title that automatically appears for your search (A) is the original title of your search plus the date of your search. You can edit this title now or later, if you choose to do so.

   The Description box (B) is currently blank. This is a good time to write a brief description of your search. You can modify this description later, or even add notes and comments in this box.

   You can add this search to an existing folder in your Portfolio by clicking in the box (C). If you choose not to add this Saved Search to an existing folder, you will find this Saved Search as a folder at the top level of your Portfolio.

Example of Saved Search in My Portfolio:

Folders are managed through the use of the buttons at the top and bottom of the Portfolio box. The functions of each of the buttons immediately under the dark bar which shows the folder name apply to that specific folder. The functions of the buttons which appear above and below the list of folder items apply to those specific items. Each of these buttons is explained below.

Folder-Related Buttons

Example of Folder-Related Buttons in My Portfolio:

1. New Folder

   Clicking on the New Folder button creates a new folder within the folder you are currently in. (The name of the current folder is printed in the dark bar above the buttons.)

2. Edit

   Clicking on the Edit button allows you to change the name, description and/or Advanced Options (rights to view or change) for the current file. (The name of the current folder is printed in the dark bar above the buttons.) This allows you to add notes in the Description box as you progress with your research, if you choose.

3. Email

   Clicking on the Email button allows you to email the current folder to another netTrekker subscriber within your school or district. This provides another option for sharing folders in your portfolio, in addition to moving, copying or bookmarking them into your school or district portfolio.

4. Bookmark

   Use Bookmarking to share folders without losing control of their contents. When you create a bookmark, you are only creating a pointer to particular contents within your portfolio. The folder and its contents stay within your portfolio. With a bookmark, you can:

   • Place a bookmark to your folder into your school's or district's portfolio. Other users can then copy your bookmark into their folders.
   • Copy another user's bookmark from the school or district portfolio into your own portfolio. You will no longer need to search through the list of folders in the school portfolio to re-find one you liked. You'll already have a bookmarked link in your own portfolio that will take you directly to the folder you want. You will also have immediate access to any changes the owner of the folder makes in its content.
   • Open a folder in the school or district portfolio and bookmark its contents, which creates a link in your own portfolio. You will be able to view the contents of that portfolio (if permitted by the way the owner has set the rights), without having to go back through the school or district portfolio to access it.

    

5. Add Website

   Clicking on Add Website allows you to add websites that are not netTrekker d.i. resources to your folder. If you find a useful website which is not listed in netTrekker d.i., you can add it to your folder simply by copying its URL and entering a title into the Add Website dialog box. (If you think it is a website which netTrekker d.i. should include, please consider submitting it through Contact Us, available in the My Tools toolbox at the right of each netTrekker d.i. page.)

6. Add Template

   Add Template provides access to two templates.

   The first template option is a Digital Literacy Template which students can fill out and save in their folders. This template helps to teach students how to evaluate whether websites suit their particular research purposes. If teachers create classes which their students join, teachers can then view these templates to assess students' digital literacy skills.

   Example of Digital Literacy Template:
   

   The second template is a User-Defined Template. This template has an open form which allows users to place whatever information they want in it. Some possibilities include using it for notes on a particular website or group of web resources, using it as a place for teachers to put discussion questions, or using it as a place to store instructions for a research project. Since the form is open, teachers and students will find a wide variety of other uses for these User-Defined Templates, as well.

   Example of User-Defined Template:
   

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Item-Related Buttons

Example of Folder-Related Buttons in My Portfolio:

1. Check All

   While the folder in the example above contains only two items, you might have many items in a folder. If you want to Move, Copy or Delete all of them at once, first click Check All to simplify your process. Then your next command will take effect on all items at once.

2. Clear All

   If you have checked some or all of the boxes next to items in order to Move, Copy or Delete them, then change your mind, the Clear All button removes the checks from all boxes at once.

3. Move

   Click on any or all of the boxes next to items in a folder, then click Move to move those items somewhere else within your portfolio or in your school or district portfolio. Remember that when you Move any item, it no longer exists where it did originally. If you move it out of your portfolio, into your school or district portfolio, it will no longer carry the rights you placed on it, but will assume the rights of the new owner, which may be either more open or more restrictive than those you defined.

4. Copy

   Click on any or all of the boxes next to items in a folder or the boxes next to folders themselves, then click Copy to make a copy of those items. The copies will exist in the folder in which you created them. Copies of folders will also exist in the folders in which they were created. A folder might exist in the My Portfolio folder or in any folders which exist within My Portfolio. The value of making copies is that you can Move the copies to another folder or portfolio without losing control of your original work.

5. Delete

   Click on any or all of the boxes next to items in a folder, then click Delete to delete those items from your portfolio. Remember that if you choose to delete a folder, you will delete all the items within that folder as well.This is true of nested folders as well as individual search results, images or standards. If you want to save some or all of the items within a folder which you want to delete, Move or Copy those items to other another place within your portfolio before you delete the folder.

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1. Getting a "Teacher" Role

   In order to create a class, you first need to be designated as a Teacher in netTrekker d.i. As a default, all users within a school are originally designated as students. Your school's netTrekker Admin will create a Teacher Code and should communicate that Teacher Code to all teachers within the school. Once you, as a teacher, have the Teacher Code, you can use it to modify your profile by clicking on the Profile link in the My Tools toolbox. Enter your school's unique Teacher Code in the appropriate box and click Submit. This will change your status from Student to Teacher.

   

 

2. Create A New Class

   Once a teacher has changed the user role from Student to Teacher, the next step is to create a class within My Portfolio. Once in your portfolio, take these four steps:

   • Click on the Create Class link (A) at the top of your Portfolio.
   • Create a name for your class that will allow you to differentiate it from other classes (B).
   • Create a unique Class Code (C) which your students will use to join your class.
   • Once you hit the Submit button, you will receive a message page confirming that you have created the class, and providing you a link to a printable instruction page you can give to your students. This way they will have clear instructions on how to join your class.
   Example of Creating a Class:
   

    

   When you delete a class, everyone who joined the class will lose access to all resources which were in that class. It would be helpful for you to warn them first, so they can move their resources out of the class if they wish.

   Once you have created a class, you can Move or Copy any type of saved resource into it. This will allow you to point all members of that class to a specific selection of resources. Also, once people have joined your class, they can Move or Copy any type of resource into the class, as well, including Digital Literacy Templates or User-Defined Templates.

   Your class will be listed in your portfolio (A) and will also appear in the portfolios of all who join your class. When you no longer need your class portfolio, you can delete it by clicking on the (delete) link (B). Before you delete a class, you will need to move any resources that you want to keep. You can move them back into your portfolio or into any folder in your portfolio.

   Example of Managing a Class:
   

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1. Joining

   Once a teacher has created a class in his or her portfolio, students or other teachers can join that class by using the Class Code which the teacher provides. To join a class, simply click on the My Portfolio link in the My Tools sidebar, then click on the Join Class link at the top of the page. To help with the process, a teacher can print out instructions for this process, which would include the Class Code.

Example of Instructions for Joining a Class:


 

2. Participating

   Copying your resources into the class is often a better option than moving them, because copying means that you retain an original version in your own portfolio.

   Once you have joined a class, you can participate in it in several ways. You can access and view any resources which are made available in the class portfolio by clicking on the class name in your own portfolio, then clicking on the specific resource. You can also add resources to the class by Moving or Copying resources from your own portfolio into the class. One unique type of resource the teacher might request each member of the class to contribute to the class portfolio is a Digital Literacy Template for a specific web resource. Hint: To cut down on possible confusion when many class members are contributing to class resources, be sure to include a unique identifier for your contributions, such as adding your name or initials to titles.

   When you no longer need to participate in a given class, you can easily remove yourself from it by clicking on the (unjoin) link under the title of the class. Be sure that you Move or Copy any resources into your own portfolio or other folders before you unjoin, or you will lose them. You will also need to Move or Copy resources if the teacher chooses to delete the class.

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If you want to keep control of the content in your folders, Bookmark them and Copy your bookmarks to class, school and/or district portfolios. If you do not care whether your folders are modified by other users, Move or Copy the folders themselves to class, school and/or district portfolios.

1. Default Rights

Default rights are designed to allow the majority of My Portfolio users to save and share their own searches and see other searches that are meaningful to them without having to change the View or Modify rights associated with the content they wish to share. Default rights differ depending on the specific portfolio you are in.

	My Portfolio	Class Portfolio	School Portfolio	District Portfolio
Allowed to View	Only the Owner	Anyone in this School	Anyone in this School	Anyone in this District
Allowed to Change	Only the Owner	Any Teacher in this School	Any Teacher in this School	Any Teacher in this District

The owner of a portfolio may change the rights to that portfolio. That means, the owner of My Portfolio can change the viewing or changing rights of My Portfolio; the teacher who creates a Class Portfolio can change the rights to the Class Portfolio; the netTrekker administrator for a school can change the rights to the School Portfolio; the netTrekker administrator for a district can change the rights to a District Portfolio.

2. Choosing Advanced Options

If you choose to change the viewing or changing rights on a folder from the default settings, click on the [ edit ] link next to the folder name. This will open the Edit Folder dialog box. Click on the Advanced Options dialog box at the bottom to present the Allow to Change and Allow to View options.

Example of Advanced Options Boxes:


 

You have the option of changing Viewing rights, Changing rights, or both. Remember, if you change the Allowed to Change rights, other people will be able to modify the contents of your folder. If you are creating the folder with the intention of using it for collaboration, you will want to change the rights. If not, you will want to leave the default rights as they are, and perhaps Bookmark your folder and copy the bookmark to other portfolios.

3. Conditional Rights

Ownership of a folder depends on the portfolio in which that folder resides . If you create a folder, then Move or Copy that folder to a community (class, school or district) portfolio, it changes ownership and gains the rights associated with that new place. For instance, if you create a folder in My Portfolio, then Move or Copy it to your School Portfolio, it will be available for anyone in your school to view, and any teacher in your school will be able to make changes to it, based on the default options of the School Portfolio. These options are built into the Portfolio system to facilitate collaboration within classes, schools and districts. If, however, you want to keep control of the viewing and changing rights of your folders, Bookmark them and copy the bookmarks to other portfolios, rather than moving or copying your original folders.

4. Teacher Options

When teachers create classes, they can leave the rights at the default rights, or they can change the rights to allow students to change the contents of folders within the Class. Teachers should make this decision based on the purpose of their Class Portfolio. If the purpose is to allow students to view resources the teacher has found or created, the default rights are designed to allow that. If the purpose is to allow students to collaborate, then changing the rights to allow anyone to change the contents will allow that collaboration.

By default, only teachers have permission to share folders to School or District Portfolios. If desired, they can share student folders to these portfolios, but only if those folders have been moved or copied into a Class Portfolio first. Because you're dealing with student work, it is very important to remember that if teachers move, copy or bookmark their Class Portfolios to the School or District Portfolios, anyone in the school or district will be able to view the contents and any teacher in the school or district will be able to change the contents, by default.

5. Student Options

If a student has joined a class, the student may Move ,Copy or Bookmark folders into the Class Portfolio. Students may also change the viewing or changing rights to their own folders. In addition, by default, students may view but not change folders in any community portfolios (class, school or district).

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