2.8+EDLD+5365+Reflection


 * Assignment Reflection on EDLD 5365 Web Design **

I, as webmaster, was the highlight of this course as I increased in knowledge about web design and Web 2.0 technologies. Once again, I was engaged in a technical course as it relates to my degree that stimulated my creativity in building a website I’d be proud of. Out of all there was to learn out of my courses, this course’s knowledge was most extensive. I was so glad it came right at the end of the school year, because completing it would have posed a serious challenge.


 * Self Assessment **

As previously stated, the knowledge was most extensive. This knowledge was generally new. I only imagined that so much went into web designing and truly, it’s quite involved. Our task called for us to update our school’s website through newschoolspaces.net. As I learned of the many phases in this process, I became increasingly aware of the importance of a technologist being a project planner. Reichey (2001) stressed that planning should be based on focused questions (Reichey, 2001) This new information confirmed my thoughts all along about just what goes into designing powerful pages. With that in mind and a freer schedule, I was able to complete the task.


 * Learn as a Learner **

To complete the assignment, I tried to stay as closely on schedule as possible. Incorporating Web 2.0 technologies was engaging and hands-on. Blogging provided the format for interactive communication which gives the school community real time synchronous and asynchronous messages within the community (Warlick, 2006). This brings the major element of social networking through RSS feed right into the education landscape. I learned just how much the students and parents enjoy this kind of communication through Edmodo and my cheerleader website through Shutterfly. My collaboration with my colleagues helped me see the benefit of working with all stakeholders in the school community.


 * Lifelong Learning Skills **

The mainstay of technology as a communication tool in the classroom is rooted in Web 2.0 technologies and RSS feed. Facebook is booming because of this major capability. No doubt the educational frontier is transformed and will never be the same because of it. Because it allows people anywhere to come together and work collaboratively (Solomon & Schrum, 2007), it has earned its place in the educational world as we adopt more of a constructivist model in the classroom. My past interactions make relating to others this way much easier as I know this kind of technology will define communication globally. The issue I’m faced with concerning this is convincing my principal to allow for this kind of communication to take place on the school’s webpage. Most principals probably feel that a negative comment may be put out there without much tact and cause damages. This is where I fit in and help ensure that through policies and procedures, that kind of activity can be discouraged.

Reichley, K. (2001) //Step-by-step site planner//. Retrieved May 12, 2011, from []

Solomon, G & Schrum, L. (2007). //Web 2.0: new tools, new schools//. International Society for Technology in Education.

Warlick, D. (2006). //A day in the life of web 2.0.// Tech & Learning. Retrieved May 12, 2011, from http://www.techlearning.com/article/13980