Reflections+EDLD5365

The assignments in this course were difficult to complete but the course provided me with great knowledge as I progressed through the assignments. As part of the assignments, I learned about and how to use Google Docs, this has been, a great benefit as I have utilized it often in many of the assignments throughout the master’s program. I have learned to use both the word processor and the spreadsheet to complete on my assignments, furthermore I have collaborated with colleagues shared documents with family and friends. One assignment was to create a Web Policy for our campus I gained much knowledge concerning the importance of a campus or district Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) and/or Web Use Policy. These policies address student online safety, legal requirement, ethical behavior, procedure, and responsibilities when using the Internet and the local network. I learned that the current AUP that most districts have must be updated to take into consideration that students are not just users but collaborators in the Web using Web 2.0 tools such as Wikis, blogs, podcasts, and Google Docs. Solomon and Schrum state, “By the early 2000’s, the notion of interactivity went from linking and clicking to creating and sharing. Now individuals not only find and read information but also create and share their own in real time.” (2007, p. 13). Since I used my district’s current AUP as a model to create the campus AUP, I realized that our AUP is out dated and needs to be revised. In week two I revised the campus AUP to address the needs of students today, I included Web 2.0 policies and W3C standards the document changed from an AUP to a General World Wide Web Use Policy. Another important assignment that I gained much knowledge through was the scenario of being a Web Site Manager and having to recreate the original school website to a website that is aligned with the needs of today’s “Digital Native” students. The process taught me many essential skills that have prepared me to be a technology leader. One particular task is the creation of a Web Site Project Charter this assignment provided me with knowledge that can be very beneficial as I continue to pursue my new career. This course is aligned to TF Standard VI-A. and D., “Model and teach legal and ethical practice related to technology.” and “Promote Safe and healthy use of technology resources.” This course has helped me stay current with internet and Web 2.0 skills and has prepared me for my career as a technology facilitator. In my opinion, Web Design provided me with a collaborative tool (Google Docs) and I collaborated with a few colleagues as we worked on our assignments. The affective tone of my colleagues and I was one of excitement as we learned to share and collaborate by using Web 2.0 tools. Questions I would like to investigate include; how can a campus or district provide students access to Web 2.0 tools while ensuring their online safety? How often should a district update the General World Wide Web Use Policy? I would like to research both of these questions so that I can integrate the use of Web 2.0 tool for our students and educators while working in a safe and healthy technology environment. An issue that puzzles me is why educators have not embraced the use of the Web and technology as a means of teaching and motivating our students. References Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). //Web 2.0: New tools, new schools.// Eugene, OR: International  Society for Technology in Education, p. 13. Williamson, J. & Redish, T. (2009). //ISTE’s technology facilitation and leadership standards:// // What every K-12 leader should know and be able to do  //. Eugene, OR: International Society  for Technology in Education, pp. 224-240.
 * EDLD 5365 Web Design (Mastering) **