Because TrackStar is an online tool, server functions, electrical problems, or occasionally user action may interrupt the submission of a Track. For this reason, we strongly advise Track authors to store a draft of their Track's links and annotations in a word processor file on their own computer. This prevents authors from having to recreate Track content from scratch in the rare case that a Track must be re-submitted. We know that good lessons take time to create, and we want to help you preserve your hard work.

Naming a Track and Choosing a Subject Area

Naming a Demo Track

 

In order to conserve server space, we like to delete demo or practice Tracks. If you create a Track just to learn how TrackStar works, or if you don't want your Track to remain online after one week, please name it "demo" so that we can remove it from the server. See the example below.

Naming a Track You Want to Keep

 

 

Please enter a descriptive title for your Track. The TrackStar search engine will search titles for keywords, so please be as specific as possible when naming Tracks. For example, a Track titled "Pre-Columbian Architecture in Peru: Macchu Picchu" would be a much better title than "Architecture".

Adding a Description and Choosing a Format

Please include a brief description of your Track in this field. Describe the content, goals, objectives, and activities in your Track. Tell whether the Track is part of a greater project or a self-contained lesson, and what state standards the Track meets, if any. The most valuable and utilized Tracks are those that present material as an organized lesson rather than simply as a list of resources on a topic.

 

 

It's best if you write this and spell check it in a word processor, and then cut and paste it into this field. Teachers often decide to enter a Track by reading the description and title. Since teachers around the world use each other's Tracks, providing a good description can help people see quickly what a Track is about.

Using Keywords in Your Description

 

 

The TrackStar search engine will search Track descriptions for keywords. To speed the search, include keywords in the Keyword field provided on the TrackStar form. See keywords in the example below.

Choosing a Format for the Track

 

 

This section of the Make a Track form is crucial to other teachers who may use your Track. If you are making a Track simply to learn how to use TrackStar, or if you don't want to keep this Track online more than one week, please click the radio button next to Demo. Click Resource list if the Track provides a list of sites to support research projects, thematic units, skills in practice, or information gathering. Click Worksheet if the Track requires students to find short factual answers in the Track's resources. If the Track supports higher order thinking skills, click Extended Learning. For an example of higher level questions, visit our Extended Learning page.

Choosing a Subject Area and Grade Level

 

 

Select the subject area(s) and intended grade level that best reflect the content of your Track. Since people often search for Tracks using the subject and grade level categories, please choose the most fitting category. If needed, you can select more than one.

Adding Sites to Your Track

See the example below for an example of the fields in the TrackStar form. A Track is a collection of annotated links on a chosen topic. Each link in your collection needs a title, a URL (Web address), and an annotation (questions, directions, and tasks for students to complete while visiting that link), as shown in the image below.

Complete the title, URL, and annotation information for your sites and then scroll to the bottom of the page and click Save. By clicking on the Save button, you submit any additions or changes you have made. These changes are stored on the TrackStar server. If you do not click on the Save button, your new Track will not be made, or changes to an old Track will not be saved.