Kidblog Technology Workshop Lesson Plan

Anitra Paige
Learning Objectives:

At the end of this workshop, teachers will understand the purpose of Kidblog and its
educational benefits.
At the end of this workshop, teachers will be able to access and navigate Kidblog.
At the end of this workshop, teachers will be able to apply what they have learned in
order to create a classes and add students in Kidblog.
At the end of this workshop, teachers will be able to create a blog post in Kidblog.
At the end of this workshop, teachers will be able to plan strategies for introducing
students to Kidblog.
At the end of this workshop, teachers will be able to access teacher and student resources
for Kidblog.
At the end of this workshop, teachers will develop new and innovative uses for Kidblog
in their classrooms.

NETS Teacher Standards:

1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to
facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both
face-to-face and virtual environments.
a. Promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and
inventiveness
b. Engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems
using digital tools and resources
c. Promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify
students conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative
processes
d. Model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with
students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments
2. Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment
incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context
and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETSS.
a. Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and
resources to promote student learning and creativity
b. Develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to
pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their

own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own
progress
c. Customize and personalize learning activities to address students diverse learning
styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources
d. Provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments
aligned with content and technology standards and use resulting data to inform
learning and teaching
3. Model Digital Age Work and Learning
Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative
professional in a global and digital society.
a. Demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge
to new technologies and situations
b. Collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital
tools and resources to support student success and innovation
c. Communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and
peers using a variety of digital age media and formats
d. Model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate,
analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning
4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility
Teachers understand local and global societal issues and responsibilities in an evolving
digital culture and exhibit legal and ethical behavior in their professional practices.
a. Advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and
technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the
appropriate documentation of sources
b. Address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies
providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources
c. Promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to
the use of technology and information
5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership
Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and
exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and
demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources.
a. Participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative
applications of technology to improve student learning
b. Exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating
in shared decision making and community building, and developing the
leadership and technology skills of others
c. Evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice on a regular
basis to make effective use of existing and emerging digital tools and resources in
support of student learning
d. Contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self-renewal of the teaching
profession and of their school and community

Materials Needed:

Computers with internet connection for presenter and each participant

Promethean board with projector
Kidblog Quick Reference Guide handout
Netiquette from NetSmartz handout
Ideas for Using Kidblog for Writing Across the Curriculum handout

Location & Time:

North Douglas Elementary Computer Lab

March 24, 2016, 3:15-4:15

Promotional Materials:

Kidblog Workshop Flyer

Step by Step Instructional Process:

Slide 2: Go over the agenda so that everyone is aware of what they are going to be
learning.
Slide 3: Play What is a Blog? video (3:40) that gives a brief overview of what blogging is
and how to participate.
Slide 4: Explain that Kidblog is the largest ad-free student blogging platform that is
simple and easy to use. Point out that although it is considered a social network, it is not
used just for fun. It can also be used for engaging, educational purposes. It is only
viewable by classmates unless permission is granted by the teacher who serves as the
administrator of all student blogs.
Slide 5: Teachers can grant access to parents or specified groups that will require a
password. Outside sources are not able to leave unsolicited comments. When setting up
student in Kidblog, teachers are not required to enter personal information or student
email addresses.
Slide 6: Emphasize that students will only need basic computer skills and internet
navigation skills. Advance technical skills that may be taught but are not required
include hyperlinking, embedding media, and uploading files and images.
Slide 7: Share Ideas for Using Kidblog for Writing Across the Curriculum handout that
provides ideas for assignments for reading, writing, science, social studies, and foreign
language. Solicit ideas from participants about ways blogging could be used in math.
(i.e., do an error analysis for a math problem by explaining mistake made and provide
correction)

Slide 8: Share that blogging assignments can be used as a grade once students have had
enough time to practice. Blogging is a great way to encourage reflective selfassessment.
Slide 9: Teachers should establish clear guidelines for posting and commenting on
Kidblog. Show Teaching Netiquette to Students video (1:28). Reference the Netiquette
from NetSmartz handout for teachers to use with students.
Slide 10: Everyone will need a teacher account before moving forward. Pass out
Kidblog Quick Reference Guide handout. Use the link on the picture to open up
Kidblog to access platform. Use an alternate email for demonstration purposes only.
Teachers will be given ample time to explore Kidblog after creating blog post. Teachers
will follow step-by-step directions as shown projected on Promethean board to:
o Create a free teacher account ($36 a year after 30-day free trial)
o Create a class
o Add students (at least 1)
o Create a blog post (Brief introduction, upload image)
Slide 11: Answer any additional questions. Share the website technology workshop
website (http://kidblogforeducators.weebly.com/) that can be used to support and extend
what was learned during the Kidblog Technology Workshop. On this site, you will find
all of the handouts provided during the workshop as well as many other additional links
and resources. Access the website to show the Teacher Resources and Getting Students
Started pages. Teacher Resources gives access to the handouts from the training and
video instructions for using Kidblog as a teacher. The Getting Students Started page has
videos about blogging, netiquette, creating and blog, and a student tutorial for Kidblog.
Link for survey is also provided, but teachers can also access the link on the schools
shared drive.

Assessment and Evaluation Methods:

The workshop will be assessed informally by the facilitator.

Each workshop participant will be instructed to visit this Google Form and reflect on the
workshop. The results will be analyzed by the facilitator.