My initial impression of "Digital Graphics/Web Design" was that it involved difficult tasks.  The experience was quite the contrary.  I never realized how simple it was to design a website and how easy it would be to incorporate this activity in the classroom.

Web site design actually included many aspects such as branding and use of animations that promotes self expression.  Building websites using these fun engaging activities will motivate our students to learn and express themselves through writing assignments.  As well, effective collaboration through discussions and blogs seem to be skills that can cultivate over time.   Working in groups helped me and I know will continue to help me appreciate the talents of others. 

I did learn, however, that thought and planning should go into the design process.  This included more than just words but also variations of colors, fonts, pictures and sound.  “With such a wide range of add-ons available, teachers will have to be sure their students understand the concept of appropriate use” (Solomon & Schrum, 2007, p. 228).  Our professor was brilliant in using our assignments as hands-on training to help us understand how we could do these same activities with students.  “What teachers must do is shift the collaboration the students do to include working together on joint projects that develop the kinds of skills that will help them in the new digital workplace” (Jukes, McCain, & Crockett, 2010, p. 108).  Not only can students create their own websites but teachers can create class websites as resources for students and parents.  Fortunately neither I nor my students need to be experts.  “A struggling student can practice a skill as many times as necessary to achieve mastery, and the computer, unlike a human instructor, will never grow frustrated” (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007, p. 50).

REFERENCES

Jukes, I., McCain, T., & Crockett L., (2010). Understanding the Digital Generation: Teaching and

      Learning in the New Digital Landscape. Kelowna, BC: 21^st Century Fluency Project.

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., and Malenoski, K., (2007). Using technology with classroom

      instruction that works. Alexandria VA. Association for Supervision and Curriculum
     Development.

Solomon, G, & Schrum, L. (2007). Web 2.0: New tools, new schools. Eugene, OR: International

      Society for Technology in Education.