Kidblog

=[|Kidblog]=
 * []

=What is [|Kidblog]?=
 * [|Kidblog] is a secure, private blogging platform created specifically for educational use.
 * Blog -- Web log or online journal.

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=What do I need to know about [|Kidblog] before using it with my students?=
 * Free, no ads.
 * Simple, easy to use interface.
 * Teachers have administrative control over all student blogs and student accounts.
 * Your students’ blogs are private by default – viewable only by classmates and the teacher.
 * For “semi-public” blogs, set up guest (e.g. parent) accounts that require a password to view students’ posts/comments.
 * Comment privacy settings block unsolicited comments from outside sources.
 * [|Kidblog] does not collect any personal information from teachers or students.
 * Does not require student e-mail accounts.
 * Teachers should establish clear guidelines for posting and commenting on [|Kidblog].
 * Sample Blogging Rules -- courtesy of Frederick County Public Schools, Maryland
 * This blog belongs to the school, so __all school rules apply here__ too!
 * __Never__ write anything that you don't want everyone to know.
 * __Always__ show respect to the authors of posts and comments.
 * __Always__ use your online name to submit a comment, __never__ use your full name.
 * Have fun blogging with your friends!

=Student Technical Skill=
 * Required
 * Basic Computer and Internet Navigation Skills
 * Minimal Keyboarding Proficiency (or alternatively utilize speech recognition software to covert speech to type in a word processing program and allow students to copy and paste their post).
 * Basic Internet Safety Rules
 * Advanced Technical Skills (not required and may be taught)
 * Tagging
 * Hyperlinking
 * Uploading files and images
 * Embedding Media
 * Digital Literacy and Citizenship

=How can I use [|Kidblog] as an assessment device?=
 * Any blogging assignment may be utilized as either a formative or summative assessment.
 * Students should be allowed to practice any skill in the blogging environment before summatively assessing a blog post.
 * Blogs may also be utilized as reflective self-assessment devices.
 * Students need to have the time and to be taught to reflect upon their own learning and understanding.
 * Reflective writing provides meta-cognitive practice, an essential reading comprehension strategy.

=Examples=
 * **Example Learning Objectives** || **Examples of Appropriate Formative, Summative, and Self-Assessments** || **Sample Rubrics** ||
 * * Interpret
 * Classify
 * Summarize
 * Infer
 * Compare
 * Explain || * Summarize readings, films or speeches
 * Compare and contrast two or more characters, events, or texts
 * Paraphrase a content area reading assignment
 * Draw an inference from your reading and support with evidence
 * Identify examples or illustrations of a concept or principle
 * Explain the actions of a character supported by evidence from the text || * [|Reading Response Rubric 1] (Word Document)
 * [|Reading Response Rubric 2] (Word document)
 * Advanced Blogging Rubric (emphasizes technical skills) ||
 * * Analyze
 * Differentiate
 * Organize || * Analyze and explain how to solve a given math problem
 * Determine how elements function together
 * Determine bias, values or underlying intent in presented materials || * [|Math Blog Rubric] (Classic [|Exemplars] Rubric with Blog requirements added - Word Document) ||
 * * Evaluate
 * Check
 * Critique
 * Assess || * Evaluate the actions of historical figures given current knowledge
 * Post a personal reflection of lessons learned
 * Assess the results of an experiment
 * Critique a character's actions against established criteria or standards, for example The Ten Commandments or Golden Rule || * Social Studies Figure Rubric
 * 6+1 Writing Traits Rubric for Personal Reflections ||
 * * Create || * Create and maintain a blog throughout the unit that synthesizes information from various sources. || * Blog Entry Scoring Checklist
 * [|Scoring Student Comments] ||
 * Example Journal Post in Kidblog
 * Math Blog Post (Blog uses a platform other than Kidblog)

=Resources=
 * About Kidblog
 * [|Wesley Fryer's Comparison of Kidblog vs. Edublogs]
 * Tutorials
 * [|Getting Started with Kidblog (PDF)]
 * [|Kidblog the Basics Video Tutorial]
 * [|Beyond the Basics with Kidblog Video Tutorial]
 * [|Adding Students to Your Class (Screencast)]
 * [|Setting Privacy Settings in Kidblog (Screencast)]
 * [|Creating a New Post -- Student View (Screencast)]
 * [|Adding Comments -- Student View (Screencast)]
 * [|Approving Student Posts (Screencast)]
 * [|Approving Student Posts and Sending a Private Comment (Screencast)]
 * [|How to Bulk Upload Users to Kidblog (Screencast)]
 * [|Embedding Widgets in Kidblog (Screencast)]
 * [|Suggested guidelines for Safe Blogging] - Even though Kidblog is a private, safe, secure site, it is important that teachers provide safe blogging instruction as many students, particularly older students, may begin personal blogs.