When elementary students need to research online I don’t want to set them loose on the World Wide Web. It overwhelms them. And some innocent search terms can turn up some distracting results. But students can search effectively and safely online with a custom search engine and an Internet browser for kids.
A custom search engine can filter unwanted sites and display useful sites. I customized the search engine on this site in about 10 minutes. It uses the power of Google to search the posts on this blog, only this blog. Teachers and students could identify their most useful sites, put them into a custom search engine, embed it on their classroom blog, and use it as their information searching tool. It’s efficient, effective, and safe. Of course, a custom search engine is like using training wheels and some day students will need to learn to filter their own information.
That’s what KidZui looks like to a kid signed in. Similar to a custom search engine, KidZui only displays sites that have been reviewed by the KidZui team or added by parents to a child’s account. But this is not an over protective parent disguised as a browser. KidZui encourages children to explore games and sites on the Web and share them with friends. Children earn points for trying new things, tagging sites, and sharing with personal network. KidZui helps students develop a positive attitude toward using the technology to learn and collaborate. Currently, we are using the free version of KidZui in grade 1 and I am exploring the features of the paid version that I purchased for my son who will enter grade 1 next year. If it lives up to its potential, I’ll propose we use KidZui (the free version) throughout the elementary school next year. If you are a parent, KidZui turns the Internet into a playground and collaborative learning environment without the worry. Give it a try.
About Tod
I have a variety of experience in elementary and secondary schools as both a mainstream and specialist teacher in Colombia, the United States, Venezuela and China. Most recently, I taught grade five in the Primary Years Program at International School of Tianjin (IST), an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. Now the PreK-12 IT Coordinator, I teach elementary technology classes and coordinate technology integration at IST. I advocate using technology to support inquiry and action in otherwise unobtainable ways.
I have presented at NECC 2008, Learning2.0, and Learning2.008. You can also find me on a blog that provides readers a view of education from international teachers, U Tech Tips and Tod Baker, my personal blog.
Thank you for your review and posting on KidZui. My name is Cliff Boro; I’m one of the founders and the CEO.
I’d love to arrange for my colleague Erin to speak with you and get more feedback on your experience with KidZui. We’re eager to learn more about how KidZui is being used in schools, and how we can make it better.
If you’re interested in taking a little time, please let me know.
Tod:
Thank you for your review and posting on KidZui. My name is Cliff Boro; I’m one of the founders and the CEO.
I’d love to arrange for my colleague Erin to speak with you and get more feedback on your experience with KidZui. We’re eager to learn more about how KidZui is being used in schools, and how we can make it better.
If you’re interested in taking a little time, please let me know.
Best regards,
Cliff