New Teacher Institute @ UCLA

Led Workshop on Integrating web design

December 18, 2017

     I was honored to lead a workshop at UCLA with dozens of educators to discuss ways to implement web design into their classrooms.  From digital portfolios to community service events to in-class projects, integrating web design offers students of all ages a chance to gain 21st Century skills that will prepare them for tech careers.  In today's world, students are immersed nearly 24/7 on their digital screens.  Whether on their smart phones or tablets or computers, they navigate through websites to find information that's important to them.  My workshop helped instructors transform their students from media consumers to content creators.  I walked educators through the entire process from the fundamentals of web design to specific PBL units that can be utilized in nearly any classroom or subject matter.  This presentation guided instructors how to help their students gain firsthand experience solving real-world problems and collaborating in small groups as they learn Common Core standards, develop their own content, and design a website to highlight their understanding of in-depth issues that can be used to improve their communities.  Once students become proficient website designers, I showed attendees how to promote their achievements and community partnerships that can come from your projects.  This entire experience makes students better 21st Century designers and, more importantly, helps them become better community citizens.