Pathfinders How to engage your students in computer-based learning quickly and easily.

Pathfinders What is a pathfinder? A table of buttons the user can click on to automatically navigate to pre- selected programs or websites.

Pathfinders During this session you will learn: Why pathfinders are so useful How to build the basic framework of a pathfinder How to capture images from the actual learning programs and websites How to create hyperlinks from the image to the program or site

Pathfinders Why use a pathfinder? Students might find inappropriate sites Students might not understand your intent They are a way to differentiate the learning Students might not have adequate computer skills

Pathfinders Why should it be visual? Learners of English Poor reading skills Poor listening skills

Pathfinders How to make a pathfinder: 1.Research for links or programs 2.Build a table 3.Capture screen shots 4.Create hyperlinks

Pathfinders Step 1: Research Decide how many programs you need. Search through the programs already on your server or hard drive Consider CD’s-will you have enough for all users? Spend some time looking on the Internet (save the links)

Pathfinders Use Microsoft Word Click and drag from the menu bar: table-insert-table Step 2: Build a table

Pathfinders Start small- try three choices for each category. So set your table for 2 columns and 3 rows.

Pathfinders Your new table will appear.

Pathfinders Make each column a different color. Highlight the column by clicking and dragging down. Then from the menu bar, click : Format-Borders and Shading. From the tabs near the top, select Shading.

Pathfinders In the shading selection, just click the color you want and make sure the Apply to box says cell. Then click ok.

Pathfinders Shade each column a contrasting color. You can now stretch your table to the size on the page you would like it to be. You can add title pictures to each column if you want to using Click Insert-Picture-Clipart Choose images that are clear in their purpose. Remember, we are striving for independence.

Pathfinders Notice the title pictures in this pathfinder.

Pathfinders Now you are ready to prepare and insert buttons for your students to click on. You will be switching back and forth between your pathfinder document, an empty Word document workspace, and your Internet browser window. You should be familiar with minimizing and maximizing windows.

Pathfinders Step 3: Capture Screen Shots Open one of the programs or websites you selected in Step 1: Research. Then press the Print Screen once. Nothing will happen! Minimize the program, and maximize you Word document workspace.

Pathfinders Click Edit-Paste A HUGE picture will appear on your workspace. Set the picture for editing by clicking on it once. The Picture toolbar should appear. If not, click View-Toolbars-Picture.

Pathfinders Your workspace should now look like this:

Pathfinders To edit the picture, first crop or trim off the unwanted edges of the captured screen. Use this tool to push in the small handles on the edges of the captured screen picture. Then you can make it smaller or larger by pushing in the handles with your cursor.

Pathfinders Using Edit-Copy-Paste, copy this small, trimmed screen capture onto your pathfinder, placing it in one of the empty cells. You can center the screen capture within the cell horizontally by using Table- Table Properties-Cell-Center. You can use the alignment buttons to center it vertically. Repeat until all cells are full.

Pathfinders Step 4: Create Hyperlinks In your filled pathfinder table, click once on a picture you want to turn into a button. Make sure the handles appear

Pathfinders For websites, minimize your pathfinder, and maximize your internet browser window. Highlight everything in the address window, and click Edit-Copy or hold down the control button and press the C button.

Pathfinders Maximize your pathfinder (make sure your picture button still has the handles) click the hyperlink tool. Making sure you are in the correct window, paste the address of your website into the hyperlink window.

Pathfinders For programs installed on the computer or network, simply click the picture, then the hyperlink tool. Use the down arrow to locate the program within your applications folder. Then click ok.

Pathfinders Your picture is now a direct link to the program itself! Complete the other cells by repeating the screen capture and the hyperlink steps. NOTE: Depending on your operating system, you may have to hold down the control button while clicking on the picture to make the links work.

Pathfinders Consider your next move: Do you need a pathfinder for your students to use during centers? Do you need to differentiate a variety of programs or sites? Do you want to avoid wasted time spent navigating to links? Are you now comfortable with the process to proceed on your own?