KidzVuz and the Technologies Curriculum

KidzVuz and the Technologies Curriculum

Looking for a fun, innovative, and interactive way of introducing vlogging to the classroom?

Look no further!

Kidzvuz is a safe, carefully monitored site where students from ages 7-12 can Vlog on 🙂

Firstly,

What is this term ‘Vlog’?

A vlog is in fact, a Video Blog. 

As defined by Cambridge Dictionary:

[It is] “a record of your thoughts, opinions or experiences that you film and publish on the internet.

So what is Kidzvuz?

Kidzvuz is a site that facilitates the skills and knowledge for vlogging. Students can use this site to watch, review and create their own vlogs to express their passions and ideas. KidzVuz heavily promotes their philosophy of “letting kids have their say.” Prior to being uploaded, every video and comment is reviewed and approved by the site administrator to ensure a safe, appropriate and positive online environment is kept.

A classroom activity for this resource:

Vlogging opens up many opportunities in the classroom for students to express their interests and opinions confidently through technology. The subject students decide to vlog about can be chosen by the educator or by the students and it can be done individually or collaboratively. In the year 3/4 band description, it is outlined that students need to “develop an understanding of why it is important to consider the feelings of their audiences and apply safe practices and social protocols agreed by the class that demonstrate respectful behaviour.” When introducing Kidzvuz to the classroom, these areas are great to cover and for students to understand the power of influence they can have in their vlogs.

How to use:

Students will need to primarily sign up with the educator/parental consent since this site is heavily supervised. This will then grant access for students to upload vlogs they have created in class to the site for teachers, parents and peers to view. Students can provide encouragement, question or provide constructive feedback to their peers (peer assessment) by commenting on others’ vlogs.

Additional Resources:

Although this may seem like a ‘kid only’ zone, don’t be deceived! There are many resources available for teachers and parents alike! There is a parent blog associated with the site here. In this section, educators and parents can share ideas, resources, advice etc.



The ‘Nitty Gritty’

In alignment with the Australian Technologies Curriculum:

Subject: Technologies

Year Level: 3/4

Strand: Digital Technologies

Sub-strand: Collecting, Managing and Analysing data

Collect, access and present different types of data using simple software to create information and solve problems. (ACTDIP009)

Link to resource:

https://www.kidzvuz.com/

Cross Curriculum Priorities and General Capabilities:

  • Literacy (LIT)
  • Numeracy (NUM)
  • Communication Technology (ICT Capability)
  • Critical and Creative Thinking (CCT)

Links to other learning areas:

  • Literacy
  • Numeracy
Cybersmart Detectives!

Cybersmart Detectives!

Want to build young people into smart online detectives?

This is the place to begin!

Technology and specifically, social media, has increasingly become used by children as young as 6 (some even younger!) These children are aware that there is another universe out in the “twitter-sphere” Although this new world is incredibly exciting for our young generation, there are many safety aspects that are essential for students to be aware of.

Cybersmart Detectives

What is it?

Funded by the Australian Government, Cybersmart Detectives is an engaging online resource created for teachers to implement in the classroom. This resource reinforces the ideas on the personal safety and protective measures that students need to take when dealing with strangers online.

How is it used in the classroom?

This resource is an interactive half-hour activity that is based on an animation. Students are given ‘real world’ examples and are encouraged to ‘step into the shoes’ of a Cybersmart Detective. There are clues given throughout the exercise and students are required to use their deduction skills to make predictions, conclusions and problem solve along the way.

Additional Resources:

This resource provides teachers with a lesson plan, a guide with discussion questions and printable certificates for students once they have completed the task successfully.  A follow-up lesson is included along with a second activity Cybersmart Hero which discusses the position of a ‘bystander’ in an online bullying incident. This can be accessed here.



The ‘Nitty Gritty’

In alignment with the Australian Technologies curriculum:

Subject: Technologies

Year level: 3/4

Strand: Digital Technologies

Sub-strand: Processes and Production Skills

Plan, create and communicate ideas and information independently and with others, applying agreed ethical and social protocols. (ACTDIP013) 

Link to resource: 

https://esafety.gov.au/education-resources/classroom-resources/challenge/cybersmart-detectives

Cross-curriculum priorities and general capabilities: 

  • Literacy
  • Communication Technology (ICT) Capability
  • Personal and Social Capability
  • Ethical Understanding

Links to other learning areas: 

  • Literacy
  • ‘Personal, Social and Community Health’ – Health and Physical Ed.