Online Projects, Collaboration Sites and Publishing Opportunities

Lesson Idea Name: Peer Review Writing

ELACC2W6: With guidance and support from adults, use a variety of digital tools to produce and
publish writing, including in collaboration with peers.

Technology Standard Addressed: 3 – Knowledge Constructor

Selected Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing Opportunity: KidPub

URL(s) to support the lesson: https://www.kidpub.com/

Describe how you would incorporate an Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing Opportunity in your
classroom:

For an in-class assignment, the students would be asked to search KidPub for a story that they enjoyed
reading or felt like they related to. They would be required to provide feedback on the story they found and
then annotate the piece of writing by identifying what tactics the author used in order to make it engaging
and convincing. After they feel as though they have gained enough knowledge and perspective on the topic of
the writing piece they chose, they would then be asked to collect thoughts and ideas to write a response to
that student’s piece that includes some of their further independent research.
This would be an opportunity for the students to use many of the different features of the website along
with using projects, collaboration, and publishing services. The students would be graded on their
“netiquette” (communication with peers), writing conventions, analysis abilities, etc. which is a great way for
to evaluate many different levels of learning through one assignment all in one location. The students would
not only be required to comment, but also publish their review piece on the site as well while giving credit to
the original author as their source of inspiration. All of this creates a sense of online responsibility from an
early age.

What technologies would be required to implement this proposed learning activity in a classroom?

Most importantly, this assignment requires access to the internet which is typically not hard to find in a
school setting. However, students might need to relocate outside of the classroom either in the media center
or a computer lab where there are enough devices for each student to begin working on their individual
research and writing. It is important to keep in mind that computers are not the only device that can be used
though and it might be smart to think about reserving iPads or something else for the students to use if
computer demand is high.

Describe how the following features are addressed in this learning experience (note: all of them may not be
addressed in the project, but most should be if you are reaching a high LoTi Level).
a. Collaboration with peers, near-peers, mentors outside their classroom and often beyond their
school:

The students are replying to students from all over the world as they have the freedom to choose any
piece of writing that has been published on the site. They are having to provide valuable feedback

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through a comment response meaning that they are demonstrating social and communication skills
through a technological device.

b. Student-centered learning and knowledge creation (creating original data and or producing original
products as a result of engaging in a project):

They are feeding off of another student as they originally begin by collecting research information from
an already published piece and then translate their knowledge of the topic and technology use even
further through writing and publishing their own piece of writing.

c. Higher-order thinking:

They are being forced to think critically as they have to make connections between someone else’s
writing and then create their own while being sure to remain responsible and appropriate by being
original and creative with their work.

d. Students publishing their original work to others who will use/care about their product:

Since they are replying directly to another student’s writing, they will be able to see how their opinions
and responses are valuable to the development of another student’s education. This will hopefully
create a mutual respect between the students as they share ideas and make connections on the same
topic of interest.

Bloom’s Taxonomy Level(s):

Levels of Technology Integration (LoTi Level):

Universal Design for Learning (UDL):

Because this requires a lot of technology and social communication, there are certainly some aspects that
might cause setbacks or delays for students with certain unique learning styles. However, the assignment can
surely be adapted for any situation. For example, some students might not be comfortable with accessing the
internet or could even not have been permitted by their parents. In this situation, the students would have to
participate by not interacting online and simply turning in a written version of the same concept. The same
goes for students who might not be physically capable of handling computers or iPads. Other resources like
reading aloud or assistance with typing could also be provided for students with disabilities.

Lesson idea implementation and Internet Safety Policies:

It is understood that many school systems have strict internet safety and privacy policies, however issues with
that should not occur as long as students and teachers are following the rules. As I mentioned previously,
KidPub requires a login and an account in order to publish and interact which therefore will help to filter out
harmful incidents for students. Also, student privacy guidelines will be enforced on both the part of the
teacher and the student. Before they are given access to the internet, students will be informed of what they
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are allowed to share and what is forbidden for them to publish online. In addition to that, parental consent
will originally be taken into consideration and the assignment will be adapted for those who do not wish for
their students to participate.

Reflective Practice:

I believe this is a great activity to promote technology use and incorporate many different aspects of online
learning as the assignment calls for many different steps that touch on data collecting, communication, and
publishing. However, the students are simply becoming familiar with the site as they are using it for the first
time. My goal would be for the students to enjoy this site and continue to use it whether it is part of a future
lesson or simply something they turn to in their free time or research in other classes. Allowing them access
to this site is adding to their knowledge of trustworthy internet locations that are credible and educational.

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