EDLD+5366+Reflection

The assignment of designing a website was an interesting and challenging one. I learned not only the technical aspects of designing a website, but also that I tend to disregard instructions and how-to manuals. I learn best through exploration and trial and error, and I feel that our students are the same way. In collaborating with my peers, I discovered that I needed to play around with the website and experiment before I was able to effectively relay any information. Through discussion with my peers, I feel like we achieved consistency in our website design and developed a unique idea to be used. As a lifelong learner, there are many topics that I feel are worthy of research and investigation which include the use of technology in the math classroom and how to incorporate learning technology skills in the early elementary grades. Using technology in my own math lessons have proven to be a constant challenge, and I would be very interested in finding effective ways to integrate technology into the classroom. An article from American Educator stated that, “The mere presence of technology in a classroom is no guarantee that students will learn more” (Willingham, 2010). This is the exact reason why more research must be done on how to use technology in the classroom.

A great article from Education Arcade said that “Technology can have a reciprocal relationship with teaching” (Klopfer, Osterweil, Groff & Haas, 2009). This quote is entirely true, but is the challenge of most educators wishing to integrate technology into the classroom. Useful websites are the way to expand the way students access information. Staley wrote in his article that “Digital technologies can often legitimately expand the information ecology of the classroom space” (Staley, 2004). That should be the entire goal of the use of websites and the Internet in the K-12 classroom.

Klopfer, E., Osterweil, S., Groff, J., & Haas, J. (2009). //Education arcade-- massachusetts institute of technology//. Retrieved from []

Staley, D. (2004). Adopting digital technologies in the classroom: 10 assessment questions. Retrieved from [|http://www.educause.edu/EDUCAUSE Quarterly/EDUCAUSEQuarterlyMagazineVolum/AdoptingDigitalTechnologiesint/157301]

Willingham, D. T. (2010). //Aft-a union of professionals//. Retrieved from []