Introduction to Pocket or Get Pocket, a bookmarklet that can enhance Judaic instruction and staff development

Before we explore Pocket or Get Pocket, a bookmarklet web tool, let’s define this term.

What is a bookmarklet?

A bookmarklet is a software button, extension or add-on that appears on one's browser that enables the user to curate or collect selected websites.

Click on this link to see different bookmarklets on my Mozilla Firefox browser.

http://youtu.be/GCuzXOFt6yU

According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bookmarklet

A bookmarklet is a bookmark stored in a web browser that contains JavaScript commands to extend the browser's functionality. For instance, a bookmarklet might allow the user to select text on a page, click the bookmarklet, and be presented with a search engine results page for the search term selected.

Bookmarklets are unobtrusive scripts stored as the URL of a bookmark in a web browser or as a hyperlink on a web page. The term is a portmanteau of the terms bookmark and applet,[1] however, an applet is not to be confused with a bookmarklet, just as script written in JavaScript is not to be confused with a script written in Java. Whether bookmarklet utilities are stored as bookmarks or hyperlinks, they are designed to add one-click functionality to a browser or web page. When clicked, a bookmarklet performs some function, one of a wide variety such as a search query or data extraction. Bookmarklets are usually JavaScript programs.

How do bookmarklets promote teaching and learning

1. Bookmarklets provide teachers and students with easy access to websites for homework, classroom and doing research projects.
2. Bookmarklets provide a  simple, uncluttered and elegant way to access websites within one’s browser.
3. Many bookmarklets allow users to share their curated websites with others.
4. Teachers can create bookmarklets for individual, group and whole class research projects.
5. Students can share their bookmarklets as part of their research projects.
6. Bookmarklets enable students to become more web literate.

For additional reasons for using bookmarklets click on these links: 

• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/bookmarklets-perform-common-web-page-tasks
• http://www.scoop.it/t/teaching-with-tablets/p/1616545019/2012/04/17/useful-bookmarklets-for-your-ipad-and-iphone
• http://www.lib.wayne.edu/blog/otl_newsletter/?p=1261

What is Pocket or Get Pocket?

Pocket or Get Pocket bookmarklet that appears on the Chrome browser’s bookmark bar and is also a  free app that can be downloaded from the Apple and Google Play App Store.

Where is Pocket or Get Pocket located on the internet?

Getpocket is a bookmarklet button on my Chrome browser

http://getpocket.com

Get Pocket or Pocket is also a free Apple app

https://itunes.apple.com/app/read-it-later-pro/id309601447?mt=8

Pocket is also available for free on the Google Play Apps Store andworks on any Android device: https://play.google.com/store

Where can I find tutorials demonstrating how to use Pocket or Get Pocket?

Click on the links below to find tutorials on using Pocket or Get Pocket:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2zJ9sOecms
• http://help.getpocket.com/customer/portal/articles/483627-using-the-pocket-bookmarklet
• http://getpocket.com/blog/2012/04/introducing-the-all-new-read-it-later-now-called-pocket/
• http://help.getpocket.com
• http://thenextweb.com/lifehacks/2012/08/09/deep-dive-pocket-beautiful-save-later-service/
• http://aal-productz.com/2013/05/06/save-pages-and-read-later-from-anywhere-with-the-help-of-getpocket-com/
• http://www.slideshare.net/TarfaAlJamri/pocket-read-it-later


On the next blog post we will discuss how Pocket or Get Pocket can be used to promote instruction in the blended learning classroom.