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Educators Can Motivate English Language Learners with
Customized Online Resources
New 'netTrekker d.i.' search engine
provides Internet resources
for the specific learning needs of ELL
students
Cincinnati, OH - Growing research highlights the many benefits of
using instructional technology with English language learners (ELL) to
prevent these students from feeling academically and socially marginalized.
As the ELL student population is reportedly growing at 10 times that of
total student enrollment, the importance of ensuring that teachers provide
ELL students with every opportunity to excel is becoming a reality.
A new solution for accomplishing this mission is netTrekker
d.i., a safe Internet search tool for accessing more
than 180,000 educator-selected, standards-based online resources.
Created by Thinkronize, Inc., the search engine supports teachers
and librarians in differentiating their instruction by matching
online resources to individual students' learning needs.
"I recently saw the excitement on a child's face when he could
be included in an activity because he could read the resources
in his native language on netTrekker d.i.," said Leslie
Leduc, Instructional Technology Specialist, Manatee, Fla. "He really
felt like he was part of the class instead of feeling left out."
An entire section of netTrekker d.i. resources is filled
with customized ELL content to help teach English as a second language.
Educators are directed to sites in multiple languages, where they
can use the new dictionary/translation hotkey to find the definition
or translation for any word selected on a website. Additionally,
a new multicultural pavilion contains resources for teaching about
the many backgrounds that comprise a school community. Because
netTrekker d.i. can be accessed from home, the search
engine also facilitates involving the parents of ELL students in
the learning process.
The North Central Regional Education Laboratory, among other
organizations, has researched the issue of using technology to support
the learning experiences of ELL students. Findings indicate that using
technology to engage ELL students in classroom activity may lead to improved
language skills by increasing their vocabulary and their ability to share
interests and feelings with their peers.
"The customized resources delivered by netTrekker d.i.
allow educators to build their ELL students' confidence," said
Randy Wilhelm, CEO of Thinkronize. "We know that many students
find technology to be non-judgmental and motivational in its prompt
feedback. Through the netTrekker d.i. search engine, ELL
students - and even their parents - can also extend their language
skills while connecting with the multicultural world."
Nearly 6,000 schools have already begun using the netTrekker
d.i. search engine since it was launched on Sept. 1. Districts
wishing to preview the new Internet search tool can contact Thinkronize
at 877-517-1125 for a free trial.
For more information, visit www.netTrekker.com.
About the netTrekker Product Suite
The netTrekker product line, including netTrekker
classic and netTrekker d.i., features award-winning
academic search engines specifically designed for school use. Unlike
ordinary search engines, products from the netTrekker
suite provide fast and easy access to only the best educational
resources from the entire Internet in a safe, organized, standards-aligned
format, helping to increase student achievement. Using netTrekker
search engines, educators, school librarians, students, and parents
save valuable time because their Internet searches are powerfully
productive. A netTrekker search engine delivers only
safe, relevant, educator-selected results - meaning less time spent
on searching and more time focused on learning. To learn more
about the netTrekker suite, visit www.netTrekker.com.
About Thinkronize
Thinkronize, an Internet developer of award-winning K-12 educational
products, was founded
by Robert Reinders in July 1999 and grew out of a commitment to
enhancing teaching and learning with the Internet and standards-based
online resources. The company's flagship product, netTrekker
classic, the trusted search engine for schools, was launched
in October 2000. Since the initial launch of netTrekker classic,
Thinkronize has enjoyed continued growth, success, industry recognition
and awards. The netTrekker product suite now includes
netTrekker d.i., which organizes online resources by readability
level to meet individual students' learning needs and also includes
ELL content. Thinkronize serves nearly 7 million students in
48 states, and the netTrekker product suite has been adopted
by key districts nationwide. For more information visit www.thinkronize.com
or phone 877-517-1125.
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