Make Your Website Work For You
Basic First Class Handout
First Class 9.0 hands on tour.doc
1. Organization
Plan before you create
Have a specific goal or function in mind for your site
Homework resource
Communication with families
Extra credit location
Enrichment and Lesson Plan Extension
All of the above
Complete a site map before you begin
Gather your resources to make uploading fast and eliminate frustration
Divide by Content Area/Type of Resource/Audience/Period
2. Ease of Navigation
Focus on the user experience - do what's best for them
Clear, concise, logical
Avoid too little or too much navigation
Your most important information should never be more than 2 clicks away
Consistency is key
3. Features and Functions
About Me/Contact
Name
School
Grade
Class/Content Area
Email
Address (school)
Telephone (school)
Conference Period/Tutorial Times
Blog
Announcements/Reminders
Daily Review (What We Learned Today)
Question/Word/Problem of the Day
Student of the Week
Student Work
Web Calendar
Assignments
Birthdays
Daily Review
School and Class Events
Snack Calendar
Listing Folder
Gallery
Forms for Parents
Class Info
Field Trip Forms
Volunteer Forms
Regularly Delivered Materials
Vocabulary
Spelling Words
Notes
PowerPoint Prestentations
Class Notes
Resource Pages
Link Pages
Documents/Presentations
Examples:
YouTube/TeacherTube Videos
Google Gadgets
RSS Feeds
Translators
Audio Files
Podcasting
Student Work
4. Updated Content
Stale pages draw flies, not visitors
Put dynamic info up front (top), static to the back (bottom)
It takes a commitment from you to maintain your site
Set a routine, update at the same time each time
Make it a priority - if you don't...they won't
Use features that make updating easy - listing folders, blogs
Keep it simple - 5 minute updates every day on your conference are better than lengthy updates once every 3 months
Ask for input or suggestions from parents for content
5. Advertise
Drive traffic to you site
Extra credit on site
Resources necessary for student projects
Assignment instructions online
Useful information on class/school/district happenings
Publicize
Fliers home to parents
Link in your email signature
Showcase
Student work
Class Gallery
Student of the Week
6. Keep Them Coming Back
Link to things they want
Connect to other things they need
Skyward Family Access to Check Grades
Your Class Social Media Community
Your Online Moodle Course
Your Blogs
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