Designing a website is something very new to me, and I am only in the beginning stages of developing my first classroom website as we speak, but I am very surprised how simple it can be. Both weebly and google sites offer an attractive, free option for teachers to create their very own website. Generally speaking my high school teachers did not have websites of their own so I turned to the internet and browsed through countless classroom websites in order to see that their are a number of distinct advantages for teachers, students, and parents. Here are what I believe are the 3 most beneficial features of a classroom website, as well as 3 rules teachers need to follow when creating their website.
1. Websites can help keep the teacher, and the students organized. By having the ability to post anything from assignments to sylabi online, tracking down extra photocopies or accomodating forgetful students is no longer an issue.
2. Websites have the ability to keep all parties informed. It is simple to place a calender on your website that can show anything from test dates, PD days, to soccer practices. By utilizing this parents will be able to click their way to the class website rather than clunk their way into your classroom.
3. Having a classroom website allows another dimension of classroom interaction. Devloping a classroom website that integrates a blog, or chatroom helps the teacher retain feedback from students and parents as well as extends learning into after classroom hours. (In my undergrad a professor held an online chatroom the night before evey test, it was great for those who are studying last minute, to scared to ask questions in class, and an easy way for teachers to get students to study)
3.Remember, you are creating a website for a middle years classroom, not NASA. Keep the layout simple and easy to navigate. Having a website that parents (they aren't all as tech savy as you) and students can navigate will help get them to come back.
2. Make sure it is visually appealing and has personality. You don't need your website to be a super decorated wikipedia page about yourself, but it should show some of who you are as a teacher and a person (especially for newbies).
1. Most importantly, if you are going to go create a class website, make sure you commit. There is nothing worse than a website that only gets updated once a month. Spend twenty minutes a week, or a few minutes a day and do some upkeep, that's all it takes.
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