Web design has a steep learning curve. In my experience I started out like most with a limited understanding of HTML. The more I learned the more I realized that learning HTML was dated and it was more important to learn standards, CSS, and a programming language like PHP. I experimented with classroom web sites however my first sites were too simple and simply not useful. I refused to use the canned version of sites because I felt that was too unprofessional. I continued to learn and take classes until I learned PHP and MYSQL. At that point I then learned how to use blog publishing applications such as wordpress and Movable Type. I felt movable type would give me the most flexability and so I decided to build my classroom web site, Techedclass.com with it. It has worked great and I have been using it for two years now. At this point I have learned more and plan to redo my classroom site again using the Joomla Content Management System. This is what I used to create this site as well as our school web site http://northwesths.net . I dont feel I have too many issues left but if I had to choose an area for improvement is would be using markup that validates to 1.0 strict. I feel I have accomplished what I need for a classroom web site even though I am still considered an amature.

I use my site regulary in class and although my student do not com eout an say they liek the site I can tell they do. The most useful part of my site id the file download section since student can parent can access class handout at any time.

No one has sugested any specific imporvement but one area I am changing i the downloading section. In the present state I feel it is a bit clunky and difficult to use. My soulution is to use the file application I have used on this site located here.I feel this application is easier to use the my existing application.

After going through the course "Exploring New Technologies", I dont think I woudl use inspiration as a site planing tool. I don not feel that is the right tool for the job. In fact I feel it is limiting and slow for a designer who has the idea in his or her head. I found inspiration to be a forced burden that made the planing process more difficult instead of less. Inspiration in my opinion has its place but it is not in web design.

Inspiration File Artifact

• Web Site Plannin Inspiration Document