WEBSITE AND CLASSROOM BLOG CREATION TOOLS

Name: Jenna Zimmerle

Students will use a blog to learn required learning standards in mathematics by posing questions about the
unit we are studying, and then requiring students to respond to students’ questions as if they were the
teacher or expert on the topic. This means that students must cite their research and create a step by step
plan to help the student fully understand where their point of confusion was and how to overcome it. These
posts will be left up, as any viewer can benefit from learning more about the content area and topic of
discussion. Students must act as professionals when it comes to the language being used, as well as the
research being done, which will help student reach a LoTi of 5.
Grade Level: Highschool
Content Area: Mathematics, Algebra
Technology Used (check all that apply):
x Blog Wiki Other Website Creation Tool (list): Edublogs.org
Content Area/Grade/Standards/Topics Addressed:

MGSE9-12.A.REI.4 Solve quadratic equations in one variable.

a. MGSE9-12.A.REI.4a Use the method of completing the square to transform any quadratic equation in x into
2 2
an equation of the form (x – p) = q that has the same solutions. Derive the quadratic formula from ax + bx +
c = 0.

2
b. MGSE9-12.A.REI.4b Solve quadratic equations by inspection (e.g., for x = 49), taking square roots,
factoring, completing the square, and the quadratic formula, as appropriate to the initial form of the equation
(limit to real number solutions).

Knowledge Constructor: Students critically curate a variety of resources using digital tools to construct
knowledge, produce creative artifacts and make meaningful learning experiences for themselves and others.
Brief Description of Learning Experience:
The above learning standards will be addressed, focusing on quadratics. The teacher will begin lecturing on
the topic and introducing students to certain examples and concepts. From there, the students will pose a
question online. Each student will be assigned to another, requiring them to research that question and
create a step by step outline for the question. This project will be introduced by showing them the benefits
of learning from one another. It will take a few days to complete, as research is required.

Students and teachers will be interested in the products students are creating, and possibly outside experts
to gain new perspectives. The audience is broad, as anyone interested in mathematics would benefit from
these discussions and creations. This means that the content will be made public, but the creations and
discussions will be monitored and ensure that student safety is protected, meaning students will not include
any personal information.
Bloom’s Level of Critical Thinking Required (check all that apply):
See http://epltt.coe.uga.edu/index.php?title=Bloom%27s_Taxonomy
Remembering x Understanding x Applying x Analyzing x Evaluating x Creating

Student Engagement/Level of Technology Implementation (LoTi): This lesson would be a LoTi 5

because students engage with others, as well as submit their original work and research to help their peers.
This requires students to take on a professional role.

Importance of technology:
1
 WEBSITE AND CLASSROOM BLOG CREATION TOOLS

This project could not be created without a website-creation tool, as students are interacting with one
another and posting on my blog site. This site was created with edublogs.org and is critical in this project.
Without using the website creation tool, there would be no discussion forum for students to interact, as well
as no opportunity for students to post original work. In order to enhance the project, another technology
tool that could be used is Google Slides, where students share their presentation with other students to help
answer the posed question.
Inspiration (optional):
The concept I “borrowed” from others would be the D2L discussion tab, as I took the idea of a student
posting a question, and others responding.

Internet Safety and Student Privacy:

Some possible issues surrounding Internet safety and student privacy includes the issues involved with
using a public site. In order to ensure that students’ information is protected, they will not be using their full
names on the site. Additionally, there is an option for a page to be password protected, so the page that is
being posted on can be password protected if needed. Administrators and parents would be aware of the
project and informed on the site and the rules that go with it. All policies will be followed, and at the high
school level we hold students accountable for using the internet in a respectful manner and staying ont ask.
Describe your personal learning goal for this activity.

I would act as a moderator during this project, which is new. I am used to leading students and helping
deliver the content, but in this project the students are expected to research themselves. I hope to learn that I
can trust students to explore learning on their own, and that in return students receive more out of it. I have
heard that students have mastered a topic if they are able to teach the topic, so this will put that to the test!
Other comments about your proposed activity: This proposed activity will help prepare the students for
college, as discussion forums are common and a great way to learn from one another and form study groups
based on the relationships made.