K-12 Implemetation of Websites in the classroom

As a professional educator, learning about website design through the C.R.A.P. design principles and the readings and other information in 5366, I can find so many uses for this process in any K-12 classroom. Have classroom websites designed and added to by students would be an incredible tool in the classroom. I can see having basic guidelines for posting and teaching the C.R.A.P. principles to students as a start. With 1:1 becoming a huge trend in our public schools, this would be easy to implement and engage while encouraging students as they grow and take ownership of their educational efforts.


Once a system is in place, in a K-12 classroom (which in Texas is about 22 students), I envision a teacher creating a main page designed with students during morning meeting. Then, a page for each student for their eportfolio or even have them make their own site to update with new learning, projects, and reflections. Individual sites could be linked to the classroom page. A blog with questions posed by the teacher or a question of the week posed by another student to answer and interact on the blog with their teacher and with classmates. This could be the go to site for students and for parents with links, information, and other interesting things that are happening.


For older student, individual sites can be created linking to the main class page and grouped into periods, sections. As with the K-12, this can be a place to interact, blog, ask questions of classmates and take more ownership of learning and projects.  It would give them an eportfolio site that would be a great resources for teachers and for the students.


This week, I created a Facebook secret page for my children to be able to put animations, reflect on their learning, and discuss their interests and things that are making a difference for them. Only family is invited and can see their work and discuss with them and mentor them in their learning. I am considering moving to a website for our family.


I have learned so much during this process and can see so many application in the classroom and outside of the classroom as we teach students to take responsibility and ownership of their learning. Even learning extensions can become easily managed. Technology has opened the world to the classroom and the sky of possibilities is unending.

Reflection of learning 5366

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During EDLD 5366, I learned so much about graphics. Since I am an Education Administration program student, many of these concepts were new to me. I can see how these programs can benefit all K-12 teachers in the classroom and their students. A class website or individual student website design can serve as a eportfolio of learning and a place to reflect, remember, and respond to their learning over time. This would a valuble resource for teachers year to year. It will show growth, change, struggles, and victories giving enormous insight into the learner. As educators, the goal is to insure that our students understand concepts fully and deeply and website design can be a powerful tool.

Reflection is a key piece of e learning cycle. “Critical reflection is an important part of any learning process.”(Gerstein, 2011).Time and time again reflection shows that learner engagement is increased when students are reflecting on their learning and the creates gains can be made in the learning and transfer of knowledge for students.(Barrett, 2005). I believe learning portfolios through sitebased application will become a thing of the future, replacing paper pencil tasks with project based learning approaches.

As I reflect as a learner on building the website with colleagues, it was a good experience. I am a leader and can sometimes become frustrated with group work. I will say though, that once we got going together and worked out a plan in a Google hangout, the experience proved to be painless and productive.  I know that collaboration is key to building strong teams in schools and I am continuing to work on this area in my leadership. (Waldron & McKelskey, 2010).

I look forward to watching the future of education and the role that technology will play. Many trends are emerging at once. It is an exciting time be a part of the challenge to transform education. Bridging the gap between best practices of the past that are effective with the creative processes of technology in the future, I will be exciting.

Barrett, H.C. (2005). Researching Electronic Portfolios and Learner Engagement. The Reflect Initiative. Retrieved from  http://electronicportfolios.org/[Accessed:14 Feb 2014]

Gerstein, J. 2011, 08/16/2011). Where is reflection in the learning process?. Usergeneratededucation.wordpress.com, [blog] Retreived from http:usergeneratededucation.wordpress.com/2011/08/16/Where-is-reflection-in-the-learning-process/ [Accessed: 14 Feb 2014].

Waldron, N. & McLeskey, J. (2010). Establishing a collaborative school culture through comprehensive school reform. Journal Of Educational And Psychological Consultation, (20), pp. 58-74. DOI: 10.1080/10474410903535364 [Accessed: 14 Feb 2014].

Collaboration Group Website Design

Website Design/Collaboration Group: Amy Hanshew, Adrian Caceres, Hayley Fraser, Amanda Flentge, Elizabeth Miller

Website link: https://sites.google.com/site/5366collaborativesite/

You're worth more than GOLD animation

Logo for EDLD 5366