EDLD+5365+Web+Design+and+Development+Embedded+Assignment+Reflections

** Self assessment  ** I began this assignment with some knowledge about designing websites since I had designed two different websites for my debate teams at Shawnee mission South High School and Abilene High School. My knowledge and experience were limited because the websites were directed to a single audience and did not involve any district or school control. I built the websites using the site builder supplied by the host. For a period of time I was forced to use HTML because a student assistant changed methods of editing and it could not be changed back. I learned to use HTML with the advantage of a cheat sheet available from the first host. Although the websites served their purpose, they did not incorporated the ideas learned in this class. I learned how to develop a style guide. Kaiser (2006) refers to the style guide when she says “the document must provide enough information to allow its users to maintain consistency across the site’s communications elements, adhere to any legal requirements that affect the site, and ensure that the organization’s branding efforts follow established conventions” ( p. 9). Solomon and Schrum (2007) addressed the issues of student safety including the legal requirements of the Children’s Internet Protection Act to protect students from inappropriate material by filtering or blocking. They explain the need for districts to teach and assure that students and educators observe all copyright and intellectual property laws. The authors also explained the need for districts to reexamine Acceptable Use Guidelines to address the new issues that come with web 2.0 collaborative tools. I learned the importance of planning to launch a website by first determining the policies and procedures that will establish the structure and rules under which the various participants in creating and maintaining the website. The original websites that I had created before this course were developed so that I had to create and maintain the site by me. I learned to create a website that was built with the idea that many people would contribute to the website’s content. I discovered that there was much more to an interactive district website and my static self-managed website. My previous experience was helpful, but since I had not developed any policies or procedures controlling content the new knowledge was essential to completing the assignment. My experience with using district websites helped me understand the importance of establishing a policy, but without the new knowledge and skills I would not have been able to develop web policies. ** Learning as a learner  ** I was able to learn by examining models of web policies created by others. It was helpful to see effective examples from successful sources. I did not copy the examples but allowed them to guide me as I considered the needs for launching a new interactive website for my district. ** Lifelong learning skills  ** Prior to this assignment, I placed very little value on acceptable use guidelines and like many others I just signed them. I now understand the importance of the guidelines and the need to follow the guidelines. I take the time to be sure that I understand what my legal obligations are before signing the agreement and forging ahead without due consideration. I now take the time to explain the policies to my students when asking for their signatures. I would never neglect this important task before developing a website and will remember to make sure that the policies are updated as technologies change. ** References  ** Kaiser, S. E. (2006). //Deliver first class web sites: 101 essential checklists//. Collingwood, Vic: SitePoint. Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). //Web 2.0: New tools, new schools//. Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education.
 * Web policy assignment **