Project 1 Reflection
Janissha Williams
June 18, 2018
Introduction
Save the trees! This can be the anthem for anyone who is a proponent for use of technology screens. With these screens we can almost eliminate the overuse of paper in schools. This project is a prime example of the way we can move from paper to technology screens. Instead of the usual paper and folder portfolio, we can use ePortfolios. However, creating wibsites can have ups and downs and I will highlight some of them in this reflection.
Lessons Learned
While working on the skeleton of this website I learned how to manipulate the color selector so that I can access more colors than the ones that are displayed. I can do this using the hex codes. I also learned that there are similarities between Weebly and other web creators and some major differences.
The greatest learning experience came from researching some of the terms, like dominant eye. This helped me have a better idea of what images I should include. It also pointed me the right direction, when I went out to take more pictures. The example images of unfamiliar terms guided me in what ways I can edit my photos to get them to meet the definition provided.
Challenges
I found the use Weebly as a web creator cumbersome. The interface does not allow for simple drag and drop. In order to position the photos where I wanted them, I needed to work with the spacer element. The spacer element did not always perform the way I expected it to. I would place it under a certain photo, but when I tried to put another photo on the page the spacer would be to the right of the initial image, which then allowed the second image to hairs width away from the first. This was frustrating to say the least. When I finally got a page the way I wanted it, I began making a copy of it and then changing the images to alleviate the need to keep creating the page.
Another issue that made Weebly cumbersome is the lack of an undo button on the main page. I was shocked, because this is a common feature on any application that allows you to create. There was an undo on the text tool bar, but it only worked some of the time. There were many times when I had to leave a certain page, and then return to it in order to get that element to work.
Weebly does not have an easy way to manipulate the font style. In order to do this, you need to go to themes and change the theme. Font style should be part of the tool bar for fonts. Additionally, this tool bar does not work well. I wanted my font to be white. There is not a white choice on the palette, but fortunately I had learned about hex codes from a previous class. When I would put the hex code in for white (#ffffff) the font would not turn white. I would need to high the text, change it to a color on the palette, then change it to white with the hex code. The same issued occurred with the background being changed to black.
Lastly, there was not a convenient way to preview my sites progress. In order to accomplish this task, I would need to publish the site. Then I would need to open it in a different window. When I use Wix as a website creator there is a preview button that allows me to see my progress with very little effort. Being able to view the progress quickly, makes revising the site more efficient.
Value
I think that creating a website to display the work you have completed is very similar to portfolios that I use in class with my students. One major difference, they are allowed to select the work that they believe best represents their ability. I will also select items that they must include, that are a direct match to targeted standards. I use this portfolio with my students when we conference on their progress. They also use them when we have student-led conference. In the future, I can show my students how to create a website and collect artifacts of their work there. This will eliminate the lost paper syndrome.
I also can use website creation to make lessons for students to complete individually or in small group. This allows for differentiated instruction. Creating websites also allows students access to material that is being cover in class, when they are at home. This is helpful, because some students seem to forget what was taught on the bus ride home. Another value to creating sites, is that parents can use them to brush up on content that they may have not encountered since they left school.
Conclusion
This is age of technology, and one of the main ways to view technology is via websites. In this project I created a website that will highlight what I have learned in Digital Photography. This process has had been fraught with challenges and obstacles. It has also made me focus on the different ways that I can incorporate websites into my curriculum.
Janissha Williams
June 18, 2018
Introduction
Save the trees! This can be the anthem for anyone who is a proponent for use of technology screens. With these screens we can almost eliminate the overuse of paper in schools. This project is a prime example of the way we can move from paper to technology screens. Instead of the usual paper and folder portfolio, we can use ePortfolios. However, creating wibsites can have ups and downs and I will highlight some of them in this reflection.
Lessons Learned
While working on the skeleton of this website I learned how to manipulate the color selector so that I can access more colors than the ones that are displayed. I can do this using the hex codes. I also learned that there are similarities between Weebly and other web creators and some major differences.
The greatest learning experience came from researching some of the terms, like dominant eye. This helped me have a better idea of what images I should include. It also pointed me the right direction, when I went out to take more pictures. The example images of unfamiliar terms guided me in what ways I can edit my photos to get them to meet the definition provided.
Challenges
I found the use Weebly as a web creator cumbersome. The interface does not allow for simple drag and drop. In order to position the photos where I wanted them, I needed to work with the spacer element. The spacer element did not always perform the way I expected it to. I would place it under a certain photo, but when I tried to put another photo on the page the spacer would be to the right of the initial image, which then allowed the second image to hairs width away from the first. This was frustrating to say the least. When I finally got a page the way I wanted it, I began making a copy of it and then changing the images to alleviate the need to keep creating the page.
Another issue that made Weebly cumbersome is the lack of an undo button on the main page. I was shocked, because this is a common feature on any application that allows you to create. There was an undo on the text tool bar, but it only worked some of the time. There were many times when I had to leave a certain page, and then return to it in order to get that element to work.
Weebly does not have an easy way to manipulate the font style. In order to do this, you need to go to themes and change the theme. Font style should be part of the tool bar for fonts. Additionally, this tool bar does not work well. I wanted my font to be white. There is not a white choice on the palette, but fortunately I had learned about hex codes from a previous class. When I would put the hex code in for white (#ffffff) the font would not turn white. I would need to high the text, change it to a color on the palette, then change it to white with the hex code. The same issued occurred with the background being changed to black.
Lastly, there was not a convenient way to preview my sites progress. In order to accomplish this task, I would need to publish the site. Then I would need to open it in a different window. When I use Wix as a website creator there is a preview button that allows me to see my progress with very little effort. Being able to view the progress quickly, makes revising the site more efficient.
Value
I think that creating a website to display the work you have completed is very similar to portfolios that I use in class with my students. One major difference, they are allowed to select the work that they believe best represents their ability. I will also select items that they must include, that are a direct match to targeted standards. I use this portfolio with my students when we conference on their progress. They also use them when we have student-led conference. In the future, I can show my students how to create a website and collect artifacts of their work there. This will eliminate the lost paper syndrome.
I also can use website creation to make lessons for students to complete individually or in small group. This allows for differentiated instruction. Creating websites also allows students access to material that is being cover in class, when they are at home. This is helpful, because some students seem to forget what was taught on the bus ride home. Another value to creating sites, is that parents can use them to brush up on content that they may have not encountered since they left school.
Conclusion
This is age of technology, and one of the main ways to view technology is via websites. In this project I created a website that will highlight what I have learned in Digital Photography. This process has had been fraught with challenges and obstacles. It has also made me focus on the different ways that I can incorporate websites into my curriculum.