What is tabbed browsing?
Tabbed browsing the user to open new pages in a tab, thus allowing multiple pages to be open and to easily click tabs to switch between pages without closing pages.  Similar to having file folders with labeled tabs, the user can click a tab and jump between web pages.
 
Tabbed browsing works differently in Firefox than it does in Safari. Look at the two browsers and see if you can find two distinct differences.
 
How does it work in the classroom?
When students are trying to learn new vocabulary words and/or come across new words in a web page, using tabbed browsing becomes a powerful literacy strategy.  By opening a ‘good’ and ‘useful’ online dictionary or dictionary built into the computer, readers can immediately look up a word without closing one web page to open another.
 
How do I learn how to do this?
You can download the handout and see the step-by-step directions, watch the videos or do both!  Listed below are the ‘learning activity’ handouts and video options! The videos are in small chunks and may be replayed as often as needed!
 
Learning Activities:
 
HANDOUTS FOR DOWNLOADING
  1.  Printable File: Instructions for tabbed browsing using Firefox (pdf): Safari-dictionary.pdf
  2. Printable File: Combined handout of Safari and Firefox tools (tabbed browsing included): Browser-find-dict-combo.pdf (pdf file)
 
VIDEOS ON PAGE (click to view)
  1. Video 1: Setting preferences for tabs
  2. Video 2: Opening a link in a new tab
  3. Video 3: Closing tabs in Firefox
 
If you don’t have Adobe Acrobat Reader, download Adobe Acrobat Reader for free!
 
Tabs in Firefox
Video 1: Setting up Firefox Preferences for Tabbed Browsing!
Video 2: How it works once the preferences are set!
 
Video 3: Closing a tab in Firefox!
(C) Eva La Mar 2007
One to One Program Development Specialist
Springfield Middle School -Springfield Public Schools
Oregon