LESSON IDEA: WEBSITE-CREATION TOOLS

Name: Yancey Mitchell

Directions: Using the template below, describe how students could use a blog, wiki, or other websitecreation 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: All grade levels
Content Area: All content areas
Technology Used (check all that apply): Blog Wiki Other Website Creation Tool (list):
Content Area/Grade/Standards/Topics Addressed: All standards can be addressed
Brief Description of Learning Experience: For this lesson idea, students will create a classroom blog.
The blog will support learning and engages both parents and students throughout the year. Students will
design and bring together information from their current subject area in one large project. Throughout the
semester they can alter, improve upon and add material to the website. Their finished project should be
informational, accessible and engaging.
The project will be introduced at the beginning of the semester, and students will be given class time
throughout the year to work on it. The project will be finished and ready for presentation at the end of the
semester. Their audience will be their peers and their families. The finished project will be very beneficial
for other students because it will educate them at depth on a particular topic.
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: Which indicators of Engaged Learning area strong and why? (See Engaged
Learning and Authenticity handouts distributed earlier this semester.)
Level of Technology Implementation (LoTi): This project represents a LoTi level of five because students
are investigating a topic of their choosing and publishing it on a website.
Importance of technology: Using a website-creation tool would be critical for this project. Otherwise, the
creation process would be too detailed and overshadow the importance of the subject-matter content. The
non-technology alternative of this project would be the equivalent of a poster display. This would not
motivate the students, and it would be less interactive for the viewer. Students have the option of inserting
images, video and information from educational websites into their blog. Therefore, it represents utilization
of multiple technology tools.
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.

Internet Safety and Student Privacy: Student welfare is my number one priority. For that reason, I would
exercise caution with the creation of these class projects. I would educate students on internet safety, and
they would not be able to include their full name. I would educate parents and administrators on the ways
that I intend to exercise caution throughout the projects, and I would obtain parental consent before
beginning the project. And, I would discourage children from posting videos or pictures of themselves.
Additionally, I would make certain that the websites were password protected. Lastly, I would be certain
that no reference was made to the location of the class or the age of the students.
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?
Other comments about your proposed activity: