Assignment #4

So here it is... my technology project! I created a website using freewebs.com. It is such a great site! So incredibly easy to use... and cute too! Mrs. Wagner's Class is the name of the site. I used my married name so I wouldn't have to change it in a matter of weeks:)

I had so much fun creating this site. I was amazed at how simple it really was. There were a couple of things that were kind of tricky, but if I just spent a little time I eventually got it. I loved how there are so many options and things you can do with your website. They have all different kinds of pages you can use - like wikis, videos, blogs, a regular page, and many other things. Plus the freewebs has all sorts of widgets you can use. Even someone who has no knowledge of technology could use this site pretty easily with a little bit of time.

I learned a lot through this experience too. I learned that I can create a website! I also had to put a lot of thought into my future classroom, and activities that I might want to do with them, so that was fun. I also got a feel for working with widgets and the layout of a website. I feel like I can navigate through technology so much easier after taking this class and working on this project all on my own. Technology that I actually used during this project included:

• creating a website
• animoto
• widgets
• wikis

The only part I was a little confused on of those was the wiki. The one that I used through freewebs didn't look the same as the one we have used for this class. I think that I set it up right though. I think the difference is that the parent will have to sign in to the website for some reason before they can add their name to the wiki. This might be cumbersome to them, so I will probably play around with it a little more later to see if I can figure it out better.

I had a ton of fun using animoto! I hadn't really played with it during class like a lot of others, so I really enjoyed getting to see what all the fuss was about. I think this will be a great tool to use in the classroom, just as a fun way to get kids using technology.

Nets Standards: The two main standards that my project uses for students are the Standards 1 and 2. They are: 1. Creativity and Innovation
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processesusing technology. 2.Communication and Collaboration
Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance,to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others. Students will be interacting with this site regularly, adding stuff to it, creating projects for it, checking it for assignment updates, etc. They will be using it together as well as individuals.

Standards for Teachers that my project incorporates:

• Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
  Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society.

I will be modeling the use of technology through this website. I will continually update the site and post new information on there that will be beneficial for students and further their knowledge of technology.

Overall, I had a wonderful experience creating this website. I am excited to see how it grows and develops when I actually am in a classroom. Hope you enjoy it too!