This document outlines how a teacher used Kidsblog as a teaching tool for religious education. It discusses why the teacher chose Kidsblog, how it was implemented including posting discussion questions and video links for students. It provides examples of discussion topics and a sample student dashboard. The teacher discusses what students liked about using Kidsblog, such as being able to discuss important issues, and what they disliked, such as having another online commitment. Lessons learned included not using a textbook and being patient as students don't always respond immediately. It concludes with inviting questions.

1. Brought to you by .
. .
Using Kidsblog as a
teaching tool

2. AGENDA
 Why Kids’Blog?
 What else did I use?
 How I used it.
 Some of our topics.
 Sample of Kidsblog dashboard.
 Sample Discussion question.
 Student Assignment
 Why Students Like it?
 Why Students don’t like it?
 Lesson’s learned this year.
 Q & A

3. Why Kidsblog
 Kidsblog is a complete Software as a Service(SaaS)
blogging tool.
 Completely private! Only those who are setup to join
may join.
 Postings must be reviewed by instructor before
posting to community – helps to avoid problems
 Easy to use, easy to setup and great technical support if
needed.
 Best of all ABSOLUTLY FREE!

4. What else I used
 Video clips from Digital Catechesis
 Microsoft Skydrive
 Email

5. How I used it
 Videos were downloaded from Digital Catechesis and
copied on to Skydrive.
 A link to the Skydive file would be sent to the students
the Sunday night before class with instructions of how
to get to the blog.
 I would put questions in to our weekly blog page and
the students would start the discussions from there.
Type the following link into your browser to view my video collection.
https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=1AE7EE4AE5451C09!246&authkey=!ANpdJpMjDbmsqtU

6. Some of our topics
Topics were Teen-Centric.
 Right to Life and Capital Punishment
 Why do you want to make your Confirmation?
 How do you go to Confession?
 Respect for Women
 Dating

7. KIDSBLOG Dashboard

8. Sample Question from the Blog

 The Sacrament of Reconciliation
 AKA – Confession
 As the season of Advent draws near we are going to take a look at what it takes to get ready for Christmas. No it’s not
just decorating the tree or house and going to Christmas parties. It’s not shopping, although it’s where most of us will
spend our time.
 It’s about getting ready for the Christ child. It’s about getting ready to build of the Kingdom of God here on earth. Jesus
didn’t come so we have a reason to spend money. Perhaps Charles Dickens caught it best in A Christmas Carol when
Mr. Scrooge has this exchange with his nephew
 “What’s Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but
not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in ‘em through a round dozen of months
presented dead against you”


 Now it’s time to think about getting ready. Please watch the video’s and we will discuss this and more in class this
weekend.

9. Next Step is for students to write
their replies in the blog
 Students write their replies and may include photo’s,
other supporting documents, or music.
 Student replies are not included here to respect
their privacy.

10. Why Students Like it
 It gives them a chance to chat and discuss issues that
are important to them.
 It’s an easy way to do Religious Education homework
 It’s fun to have a secret place to write – user credentials
make them feel it’s their private place

11. Why student don’t like it
 It’s another screen and topic to manage
 After going to school it means they open this blog and their
IM, and their SKYPE and their photos and they get lost.
 I know when they are not doing their
homework!!!!

12. Lesson’s Learned this year
 Not using a textbook, parent’s can’t follow along.
 Students don’t want their parents to have access to
their credentials.
 I need to have patience with my class. The fact that
this is a virtual community they write when they are
ready. Not when I ask for an assignment.
Lesson’s have to be carefully thought out. Topics may
change based on responses to the blog.

13. Q & A

14. Using Kidsblog as a
teaching tool
Joe Mazzeo
Email:
Joseph.mazzeo@verizon.net
http://www.slideshare.net/mazzejj/using-kidsblog-as-a-teaching-tool-19030994
Questions – Follow up