Kidblog Rollout Advice

To ensure kidblog.org roll-outs are a success once I am in the classroom, here are a few things I do before introducing it to a class:

-Power on all laptops.

-Log in with generic sign-ins

-Launch Firefox or Chrome (I use Firefox with Kidblog) on each laptop.

-Refuse imports from any other browser (only happens when Firefox is launched for the first time) on each laptop.

-Set the default webpage to: http://symbaloo.com/mix/5thgradesites5  on each laptop. A symbaloo page is basically a tiled page where you can insert various sites.

-Close the browser, then launch Firefox again to make sure it goes to my Symbaloo page. You’d be surprised how many do not “stick” the first time.

Kidblog Wise I:

-Ask for a student roster of AM and PM classes from the teacher.

- Create actual kidblog account for the teacher. I create their usernames and passwords.

-To upload kids, I use the .CSV file to batch them, meaning that I type all usernames and passwords in an Excel spreadsheet and let the site process them. I personally use their first names only. I set the passwords as: “password1” “password2” etc. This also helps me keep track of which laptop is assigned to which student.

-I also create a dummy student account (Joe Cool) so that I can show a class what it looks like from a student’s end.

-I try to get the writing prompt ahead of time from the teacher-I will do the first one for them, after that it is up to them to add content.

On the day of the rollout I:

(For 4th and 5th) I turn it into a mini challenge. I tell them “Your task is to figure out how to log in to the computer and launch Firefox” I give them about 5 minutes to do so- it usually takes a while for the laptops to start up.

-I explain what a blog is- I’ll show them my ME one. I go over things like why I blur out their faces, etc.

-Logged in as Joe Cool, I read the teacher’s question and respond in complete sentences, etc.

-I also show them the spell check feature in FF. I tell them that they need to try their best with spelling the word and to use spell check as needed.

-I submit my work as Joe Cool, then switch over and log in as the teacher and show students how I have to approve each comment. I stress privacy as well!

- I then show the teacher how to “mass approve” comment/responses instead of going one by one.

-Finally I leave comments on student work. They really enjoy reading responses made by their teachers and classmates.