Kidblog- Authentic Writing Date: Time Instructor Name Click the microphone icon at the top of the Audio & Video window to enter the Setup Wizard. This will help you configure your speakers and microphone. Welcome! The workshop will begin soon. Please take some time right now to configure your speakers and mic. Feel free to test your microphone by using the Talk button. Remember to turn your mic off after testing!

The Blackboard Collaborate Interface Audio Please use your microphone!

The Blackboard Collaborate Interface Participants

The Blackboard Collaborate Interface Whiteboard Select the text tool and click anywhere on the whiteboard to type. When you are finished, or if you need to move something, use the select tool at the top of the toolbar.

The Blackboard Collaborate Interface Chat Note: Moderators can see all private chats! Please type your FULL name and School in the Chat area now for attendance and payroll purposes.

Managing Multiple Applications You will need to switch between this webinar and Kidblog on your Internet browser. Internet Browser (Kidblog) Blackboard Collaborate (Webinar) Limit your multi-tasking… if possible, close all other programs.

Any Questions?

Kidblog Overview Find helpful resources at: bcpsODL.pbworks.com Objective: Participants will explore the ways in which Kidblog can be used by students to express a point of view on a subject and support it with evidence in a safe and supervised online environment.

Why Blogging? Blogs in Plain English: Blogs in Plain English: When you have finished viewing the video, please return to this webinar and raise your hand.

Read and Reflect 12 Reasons to Blog with your Students: your-students.html 12 Reasons to Blog with your Students: your-students.html What resonated most with you?

Reading Class Math Class Mrs. Weaver Your Kidblog Account Reading Class Teacher Johnny Megan Kyle Your Class Blog Site Kyle Post 9/23/13 Each Class Member’s Blog Each class blog site can have up to 40 students Teachers can have more than one class blog Students can be members of many different class blogs Kidblog’s Structure

Code: ****** Create a fake “student” account for the purposes of this workshop.

Live to site Review posts Approve posts Delete posts

Your display name should be your “teacher” name. Ex: Mrs. Weaver You will need to verify your address before you can add a class!

General  Change class title, description, and URL if needed  Choose a class Avatar Themes/Sidebar  Choose a graphic theme for the class blog site  Choose to hide certain widgets from the sidebar Users  View/Add/Edit user information Privacy  Set who can create blog posts  Teacher or Class Members  Set who can see comments  Teacher or Class Members  Require post approval at first, but eventually turn this off Categories  Helps organize your posts Connections  Connect with other Kidblog classes Essential Settings

Student View

Adding Users Option 1- One at a Time 1.The student display name should be their first name and the first letter of their last name 2.Their password should be their BCPS external password

Adding Users Option 2- Bulk Upload 1.Get students’ BCPS external passwords from your tech liaison. 2.Create one Excel spreadsheet for each class with the students’ display names in the first column (first name and first letter of last name) and their BCPS external passwords in the second column 3.Save each spreadsheet as a “CSV (Comma Delimited) (*.csv)” file 4.Follow the directions on Kidblog to upload and bulk-create the users for each class

Adding Users Option 3- Student Set-up 1.Change the class blog settings to allow users to join using a code (and make note of the code). 2.The students go to kidblog.org and choose “Enter your Class Code” 3.After entering the code you provide, they are prompted to create their account (and should use their first name, first letter of their last name, and BCPS external password).

Students Accessing Kidblog Students need the URL or a shortcut to their class blog site ( Once at the class blog site, click “Log In” in the upper right of the screen, choose the correct name from a drop-down menu, and enter the password. Page 2

For Further Reading Available on the bcpsODL workshop wiki: Paper Blog Lesson Two sample parent introduction letters: – Kidblog_Parent_Intro_Letter.doc Kidblog_Parent_Intro_Letter.doc – blogging-letter-to-parents.doc blogging-letter-to-parents.doc How to Write a Quality Comment Comment Starters Blogging Rubric Blog Terms Crossword

Identify one concrete way that you plan to use Kidblog in your instructional practice.

Thank you! Please type your full name in the chat box once again Please complete the workshop survey (which will be ed to you) in the next 24 hours me any time with questions!