| Press Release |
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For Immediate Release CONTACT: Charlene Blohm |
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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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