WEBSITE

AND CLASSROOM BLOG CREATION TOOLS

Name: Savannah Matlock

Directions: Using the template below, describe how students could use a blog, wiki, or other website-
creation tool to learn required learning standards in your content area: For an A grade provide an idea that
reaches a Level of Technology Implementation of 4 or above. Remember higher levels (4-6) require that
students assume adult/professional roles; engage in higher-order thinking; and use technology
create/publish original content for their classmates and/or others beyond their school/classroom. The
learning activities and products should be engaging and meaningful to the students and to others who will
view/use/benefit from students work. Review your handouts on Engaged Learning, Authenticity, and LoTi.
Grade Level: 8th grade
Content Area: Science
Technology Used (check all that apply):
Blog Wiki Other Website Creation Tool (list): Weebly
Content Area/Grade/Standards/Topics Addressed: Science/8th grade/S8P1.a. Distinguish between atoms
and molecules.
Brief Description of Learning Experience: What learning standards will be addressed? What will
students and teachers do? What products will students create? How will the project be introduced? How
long will it take to complete? What audience will use/care about the product(s) students are creating? How
broad is this audience? (Overview should be a minimum of 2 paragraphs).
Teachers can use blogs/websites to reinforce the content that students are learning. If I were teaching an 8th
grade science class I could include all of the eighth grade science standards on the website. In this specific
example I referenced the standard distinguish between atoms. However, I cannot imagine a teacher
creating a website for only one standard. On a blog or website the students will be able to explore
classroom rules/procedures, due dates, standards being addressed, online resources to reinforce content,
powerpoints, syllabus, etc. The teacher can personally decide how much to include on his/her website. In
my opinion, the more content the better.
As a teacher, to address the mentioned standard I would include the following. I would allow students to
create their own presentation using any desired technology. This project would be introduced after all or a
majority of topics have been covered. If they would like to create a blog, website, video blog, etc. they may
do so. Students will have access, on my website, to all of the content they are expected to cover in their
presentation. However, they will also be encouraged to explore other sources of information. From the
conducted research students complete they will present all of the information they found on the chosen
topic. This project should take at least three weeks in order for students to gather all needed research. The
research students complete should include at least Anyone researching the topics the students complete
their assignment on will potentially come into contact with the students websites.
Blooms Level of Critical Thinking Required (check all that apply):
See http://epltt.coe.uga.edu/index.php?title=Bloom%27s_Taxonomy
Remembering Understanding Applying Analyzing Evaluating Creating

Student Engagement/Level of Technology Implementation (LoTi): What LoTi would this lesson be and
Why? This lesson would be approximately a LoTi level 5. Students are engaging with the community by
publishing their work. They are also using multiple different technologies to complete the assignment. This
learning assignment is relevant and authentic for students.
Importance of technology: Why is using a website-creation tool critical to the project? Could the project
be completed without this technology? What would be lost without using it? What other types of
technology, if any, are going to be used in the learning experience?
Using a website-creation tool is not critical to the project, but it is critical for students to be able to use the
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 WEBSITE AND CLASSROOM BLOG CREATION TOOLS
technology. Completing the project by creating the website adds a real world experience. Many adults in
our world with advancing technology are expected to be able to create websites.

Inspiration (optional): If you used existing example as a model for your project (whether in part or
whole), include the URL(s) so we can visit. Explain what concepts you borrowed from others.
N/A
Internet Safety and Student Privacy: Briefly discuss some possible issues surrounding Internet safety and
student privacy that could arise while implementing this learning experience and explain how you would
(1) minimize risks to students/yourself; (2) alleviate any fears by parents/administrators, and (3) follow
common Internet Safety/Acceptable Use Policies.
Students can disable commenting or chatting privileges on their website. They also can make sure they do
not post any identifying information on their website. If parents are not comfortable with students
publishing their own website then they can sign a form not allowing their students to publish. Also, students
will be aware and have knowledge of all Internet Safety/Acceptable Use Policies.
Describe your personal learning goal for this activity. What are you trying that you have not tried
before? What do you hope to learn from this activity? How do you hope it will help students learn?
This activity allows me to help students with creating a website for the first time. I hope that students will
learn how to create websites on their own for use in their professional life.
Other comments about your proposed activity: N/A