In pursuing my master's degree I encountered others in the same quest assigned to design a website. Via frantic instant messaging during a web conference, a group was organized. The structure of the assignment was clearly delineated, and we only had to claim what pages we wished to create and research. Previous lessons had prepared us in design layout, (CRAP), use of animation and years of scholarly enterprise was useful in researching. Creating a website drew upon a range of skills and resources and having a group to lean on for ideas, strengths where I had weaknesses was helpful. I appreciated the use of Bloom's Digital Taxonomy in the work of A. Churches (2007), and L. W. Anderson, and D. Krathwohl (Eds.) (2001). By creating the website and achieving/demonstrating the highest level of taxonomy I can fully participate in the experience. While I tend to not trust group work, people I don't know, technology I am unfamiliar, and pressure of deadlines matched with professional deadlines, it worked amazingly well. Through today's technology, the group was able to meet in person and online to make decisions about the design and establish protocols, editing and details. I became a fan of online delivery, editing and saw the possibilities for classroom use. I actually made a classroom assignment to match it and have incorporated prezi, animoto, stykz into lessons and projects. Some people worked at four in the morning, some during the day at his or her own convenience. Some did the work in one hour in one sitting, while others worked on it in bits and pieces. It gave me a new appreciated for technology and its possibilities. New skills were a necessary acquisition to work with the website, and a sense of isolation occurred at times. The group, Google, online forums quickly solved most problems. Lamar has a good support system, but some people do not like asking for help. Most panic moments were much ado over nothing and reading the instructions carefully, taking part in the conferences helped tremendously.
Learn as a Learner
After teaching for almost twenty-five years, it is a bit disconcerting to find myself on the side of a student. Learning is constant and never ending. This assignment presented challenges more so than other assignments. It incorporated other skills from previous assignments such as design layout (CRAP), and animation. Previous skills of second nature such as writing, researching and educational topics were incorporated, but using updated material made it fresh and interesting. I had some basic skills to practice and hone, while others may not have had any problems. Using the website was tricky and I spent time approaching it to practice putting material on it. I spent time consulting with others in the group and researching other websites to get a sense of what ours should look like. Reading "How C.R.A.P. is Your Site Design" by Mike Rundle (2006) was helpful in deciding elements of columns, and too much repetition on a page. I like the quote, "Don't reinvent the wheel" and having resources out there to reference is very helpful. I like to feel a sense of completion. Having others making comments is fun and exciting. Posting work online is a bit intimidating, but having an audience makes a performance worthwhile. I feel having support on the website design made it stronger. We really supported each other and worked well together.
LifeLong Skills
I believe the possibilities are endless for use in the classroom. I like the use of the Google docs. I like how students can go in and edit at their own leisure for group work. I already use this media instead of posters. Setting up media to reference a subject matter will require research. Everyone can access computers either at home or at school. Original work can be included, and other students can post comments and even post a quiz section. I like the quote in "Where is Reflection in the Learning Process" by Jackie Gerstein (2011) about students being "receivers or transmitters of knowledge or critical consumers or producers." With today's testing and job force, students must be active in their own education. I have introduced the technology at department meetings and a technology workshop to enable others to incorporate it into their classrooms.
Resources:
Church, A, 2007, Edorigami, Blooms Taxonomy and Digital Approaches www.techlearning.com/techlearning/.../AndrewChurches.pdf
Rundel, Mike, April 10, 2006, How CRAP is Your Site Design, http://blog.teamtreehouse.com/how-crap-is-your-site-design
Gerstein Ed.D. , Jackie, "Where is Reflection in the Learning Process", August 16, 2011 http://usergeneratededucation.wordpress.com/2011/08/16/where-is-reflection-in-the-learning-process/
