Month: February 2021

GitHub Pages vs. WordPress

What are the most significant challenges for a new learner?

  • I think when I first started learning how to use GitHub Pages I was really confused about how to use GitBash to upload/update my files. The commands for it are very specific and if you don’t make sure you are doing things in the right order then you can mess things up. Also, understanding all of the different tags for html and css took a while for me to get used to.
  • WordPress isn’t my favorite thing to work with, things are set up kind of weird and it took a while for me to find the things I was looking for. There are a ton of options I still don’t even know about and I’m sure there are probably some mistakes among what I did figure out.

What advantages do you associate with one method over the other and what challenges are there for modifying the layout and organization of each site?

  • With GitHub Pages I personally feel like you have more control over what your website looks like. I don’t know exactly how much WordPress has to offer in terms of styling, but I used a pre-existing format for my website on the page and because I struggled with learning how to use the site I didn’t look into any extra styling options. With GitHub Pages you make your website using html and css, this allows you to have complete control over what it looks like, and if you need to find out how to do something the internet contains a ton of tutorials for different css styling options.
  • Like I said, I never really understood WordPress that well, so I didn’t look into any extra styling/customization. But I suppose if you are trying to build a site in a rush and you already know WordPress decently, the pre-existing layouts would work well for you.

What skills are necessary to learn and develop these sites in either format?

  • For GitHub Pages you need to have a basic understanding of html and css. For both of these though, there are a lot of resources available online to help you learn them quickly, and they are always available for reference. You also need to have an understanding of the GitHub Pages site and how to use GitBash to upload/update your work.
  • For WordPress it seems like you really just need to have patience and the will power to go through and look at everything and teach yourself. It’s not as widely used as html is, so you’re less likely to find helpful resources about it.

What skills do you think you want to learn to improve on this website?

  • Honestly I think the main thing with GitHub Pages I want to improve on is css styling. Because a lot of projects are on deadlines and I am often busy with other classes, work, and club activities, I don’t get a lot of time to really dive deep and see what all there is to offer. Sometime when I have more free time and don’t have to complete it for an assignment, I’d like to sit down and learn some more css.
  • I need to improve on a lot on WordPress. I barely brushed the surface of what there is to offer on the site and it would be nice to learn more about the options so that I can use it as an option if I ever need to create a website in the future.

You can find the link to my site on GitHub Pages here.

DIGIT 110

I took DIGIT 110 in Fall 2020, in the class we learned many things including xml, regex, relaxNG, html, css, and more. Our main project for the class was a group project where we formed teams to markup a document and make a digital version of it basically. My project group marked up a collections of poems written by Langston Hughes titled “Montage of a Dream Deferred.”

 

We worked on most of the project together, but the main parts I contributed to were the original xml markup and schema creation, some css work, and the co-creation of the “About the Project” page for our website.

 

If you are interested in checking the project out you can find our published website here and our GitHub here.

 

Resume

Education

Corry, PA, Corry Area Middle High School 2015-2018

Midland, PA, Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School (Graduated) 2018-2019

Penn Sate Behrend (anticipated graduation, Spring 2023) 2019-Present

Experience

Substitute/Assistant Teacher, Early Connections Union City 2019-Present

I work with other teachers at the Early Connections Center. I have been learning about childcare and development by interacting with children and doing different activities with them. I mainly work with one- to two-year-olds in the toddler room, but I have also occasionally worked with the Pre-schoolers.

 

Children’s Department Volunteer, Corry Public Library 2018-2020

Due to COVID the programs that I usually help with have not been running, but typically when I volunteer I help lead children’s programs and classes at the Corry Public Library. I also assist with large events for the children during holidays, this includes creating/setting up decorations as well as leading activities.

 

Vacation Bible School Volunteer, Rometown Community Church 2017-2019

I was officially the photographer for the week of Vacation Bible School, but I was involved in other things related to the week-long event as well. I helped create and set up decorations, this included a lot of painting. Also, during the week when I wasn’t taking pictures, I helped at the many different stations such as crafts, games, and snack.

 

Babysitter 2016-Present

I have experience babysitting children, ages ranging from infant to ten years old.

 

Assistant Sunday School Teacher, Rometown Community Church 2015-2017

I assisted the teacher with crafts, games, lessons, and other activities. I helped write and plan lessons and I eventually took over teaching the lessons under her supervision.

Skills and Abilities

  • Computer skills including Microsoft Office, digital photography basic photo and video editing, desktop publishing, and social media
  • Arts and crafts in multiple mediums
  • Working in groups, leading small teams
  • Working with children
  • Basic ability in xml, html, and css

Communication

I have used Microsoft Office and Adobe products to create various projects. I have also performed skits, created posters, and authored stories and poems to present in a classroom environment. I have also been introduced to xml, html, and css, and several related topics.

Leadership

  • Student Mentor (Corry High School)
  • Tutor for 3rd and 7th grade students
  • National Honor Society
  • Behrend Honors Program
  • Lambda Sigma Honors Fraternity
  • Theta Phi Alpha Sorority

Amaya Willis

Main

Hello, my name is Amaya Willis. I am currently a sophomore at Penn State Behrend, and I am majoring in Digital Media, Arts, and Technology (DIGIT). Welcome to my digital portfolio! Here you can find my resume and a number of digital projects I have created during my time here at Behrend.

A little more about me…

On campus I am an honors student and a member of both the Lambda Sigma honors fraternity and the Theta Phi Aplha sorority. Through these groups I am involved in quite a few service projects. Outside of school I am currently a substitute teacher at the Early Connections daycare center in Union City. I work as often as possible between my classes, and I work with both the toddler and pre-school classrooms. I am also involved in a lot of service projects outside of my organizations.