Blog Journal 8

    From working on the Web Design assignment, I learned several new skills that improved both my technical and creative abilities. I became more confident using HTML and CSS to structure and style web pages, and I learned how to create responsive designs that adjust to different screen sizes. When designing my website, I applied several key design principles. For example, I used contrast by pairing dark text with a light background so that content was easy to read. I also used alignment and proximity by keeping images and related text grouped together and aligning all elements along a consistent grid, which made the layout clean and organized. The principle of hierarchy helped me emphasize important information—my page titles were large and bold, while supporting details were smaller and lighter in color. I enjoyed the creativity involved in choosing colors, fonts, and images that reflected my theme. However, I found that debugging layout issues across different devices could be frustrating. These web design skills will be valuable in my future career because creating professional, user-friendly websites is an effective way to share information, build a personal brand, and enhance communication with students, parents, or clients.

    A creative way to use QR codes in the classroom is to create an interactive learning scavenger hunt. For example, I could place QR codes around the room or school, each linking to a short video, reading passage, or question related to a topic we’re studying. Students would scan each code, complete a small task or answer a question, and then move on to the next clue. This approach turns learning into an active and engaging experience while integrating technology meaningfully. QR codes could also link to extension activities or bonus challenges for early finishers, allowing for differentiation. This activity encourages movement, collaboration, and curiosity—all while using technology to enhance learning.

Case: A teacher begins using AI-assisted grading software to help manage a heavy workload. The software provides automatic feedback and assigns grades based on students’ written responses. Over time, the teacher begins to rely entirely on the program, rarely reviewing the grades or feedback it produces. Some students notice inconsistencies and incorrect comments, leading to complaints about fairness and accuracy.

Response:
In this case, I would address the issue by ensuring that the teacher uses the AI tool as a support, not a replacement, for their professional judgment. An ethical solution would be to retrain the teacher on how to use the technology responsibly—using it to draft initial feedback or identify patterns, but still reviewing and personalizing all responses before returning them to students. This ensures fairness, maintains the teacher’s accountability, and upholds students’ trust in the grading process. Ethically, educators have a duty to provide accurate, individualized feedback, and technology should enhancethat process, not take it over. By establishing clear guidelines for the use of AI-assisted grading and encouraging regular review of its outputs, teachers can maintain both productivity and ethical integrity in their practice.