WEBSITE AND CLASSROOM BLOG CREATION TOOLS

Name: Becka Boot

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: 5th Grade
Content Area: Science
Technology Used (check all that apply):
Blog Wiki Other Website Creation Tool (list):
Content Area/Grade/Standards/Topics Addressed:
S5P3. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about magnetism and its relationship to
electricity
a.) Construct an argument based on experimental evidence to communicate the differences in
function and purpose of an electromagnet and a magnet. (Clarification statement: Function is
limited to understanding temporary and permanent magnetism.)
b.) Plan and carry out an investigation to observe the interaction between a magnetic field and a
magnetic object. (Clarification statement: The interaction should include placing materials of
various types (wood, paper, glass, metal, and rocks) and thickness between the magnet and
the magnetic object.)
Brief Description of Learning Experience:
This project/lesson will actually begin on a Friday while the teacher tells students to make sure they check
the blog that weekend. On the blog there will be a video giving student the basics of magnetism and
electricity. The students will then listen to a podcast that will give them directions to look around them for
different types of electricity and magnets and make any connection that they think could tie the two. They
will bring notes that have this information to class on Monday.

Students in this activity will have an opportunity to create something completely unique and useful.
Through exploring the standard, S5P3, the students will be able to create a blog online that highlights
and explains how magnetism and electricity are connected. The students will then be able to conduct
their own experiment, in groups to show what they already know about the relationship. The
students will take all the information from the experiment and put it on their blog.
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):

This lesson would be LoTi level 6. It would take time to complete this lesson. The students will be able to
create something completely original that will present their scientific finding. This will show their evidence
and every step in their process. This is something that other people can find significant giving it that
distinction from LoTi level 5.

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 WEBSITE AND CLASSROOM BLOG CREATION TOOLS
Importance of technology:
This Website-creation tool is incredibly important to this project, without it, the LoTi level would drop
significantly and the students would not be able to complete the assignment the way it was intended.
Without the use of technology this activity becomes something that they complete to advance
understanding but it takes away the creating portion, prohibiting students from mastering the concept.
Internet Safety and Student Privacy:
To create a blog, the students would have to create an account, however some blogs have a blog creation
that is aimed towards students use, this allows for the students to create a username and password, and they
have the option to enter an email address. The biggest issue is what the students would put on the site.
Putting pictures of themselves doing the experiment or using their full names would create a problem. The
best way to combat this issue is by teaching students about internet safety. It would be good for students to
come up with crazy scientific nicknames that they can use as a pseudonym. They should also make sure
that pictures are taken in a way that does not show the students face, unless it has been approved by parents.
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 lesson would really push the limits. This would allow students to try something totally new and really
take charge of their learning. I have not ever tried to release this much responsibility to the students so the
outcome will be completely unknown and hopefully incredibly successful. I hope that through this lesson
students will gain confidence and enjoy learning more. I also hope that I learn more beneficial way to help
students.