Step One- Admit You Would Like A Website
Admit it. You’ve thought about it. You have kicked around the idea of a simple class web page for the purpose of showing off the exciting things you do to the world. You thought it would help bridge the school to home gap if you could post images from the classroom online. You have considered the benefits of a class web page and just aren’t sure where to start.
Step Two- Decide On The Purpose
Is it going to be strictly announcements? Are you going to be posting student work? Will you be using it as a teaching tool with instructional links? Whatever your purpose is, the more clearly that you can define your initial objectives, the easier it will be. It is helpful to look at other classroom sites to get ideas.
Step Three- Where Will You Publish?
There are dozens and dozens of free web page builders available. There are district resources such as JCPS Online and media server space as well. For the best looking result with the least amount of specialized training you are going to be better off using one of these services:
Weebly http://weebly.com
A simple drag and drop interface, this is the service I used to use and have found it to be reliable and easy. I enjoyed the ability to use their templates but modify with my own banner and the ability to have a blog page as well. Weebly is great, but it isn’t perfect. I recently switched to WordPress due to the fact that Weebly just doesn’t work well within the school district. This will likely be fixed soon, and in the meantime if you do most of your editing at home, this is a good option.
*Update* Weebly has recently launched ‘Weebly For Education’ which is the same user friendly, drag and drop web page and blogging tools, but designed for teachers and student use. http://education.weebly.com/
If Weebly or WordPress doesn’t meet your needs, read this article for a good review of eight different class webpage building tools. Here is a another take on some free, easy webpage building tools. I would recommend that you build accounts on one or two of the services and see which one fits your style.
If you want a super simple one pager and plan to update it frequently, here is one idea from my friend and colleague using a Google Doc and Tiny URL.
Finally if you already are using JCPS Online extensively and would like to make one page or folder publicly viewable, I can help you with that.
Step Four-Get To Work
Build your account with the service you chose and start making pages. Have a colleague proofread copy and make sure you have photo release forms on students. Make a note of the web address assigned to you, you’ll need this for telling people about your site.
Step Five- Publicize Your Site and Keep It Fresh
Once your site looks good, has been proof read and is up online, you are ready to get the word out. Add the URL, or web address, to your email signature and print it on your class newsletter and notes that go home.
If you want the visitors to return more than once, be sure to keep the content fresh. Build some time in to your weekly routine to add pictures, announcements or content to keep your visitors returning.
Be sure to let me know if I can help you along the way! Happy web publishing and be sure to send me the links to any class page you build, I can’t wait to see them!
Some Examples:
- http://jdehr.wordpress.com
- http://tiffanyembry.weebly.com
- http://mrspecksclass.yolasite.com/
- http://beckleydicken.weebly.com/
- http://eisenhower.weebly.com/
- http://janemeyer.weebly.com/index.html
- http://mrssmithsclass.awardspace.com/
- http://mysmarties.yolasite.com/
- http://mrsmccawleysclass.wordpress.com/
- http://sciencerocks101.wordpress.com/
I’d like to link YOUR class webpage here!
Great advice for anyone starting their first site. I can’t recommend enough the need to look at as many other teacher websites as possible and identify any elements you like or would work for your situation. Once you’re sure of your purpose then the task becomes so much easier and the journey most rewarding.
Ditto on Louise’s comment. I’m working with some science teachers who are posting videos of labs that they are doing in class. This will allow students who missed class that day to see what they missed!
I’d emphasize the refresh or keep it current. Nothing more frustrating than going back to a web site that has not been updated for several weeks – what’s the point of a teacher website?
Agree with both points: look at lots of examples and keep content fresh. How many teacher web pages still have the homework assignments from the second day of school.
what’s the best way to have EACH student have their own blog? my classroom site is actually a wordpress site and i’m struggling with how to use blogs– one central blog w/ 150 different authors or have each student create a free one somewhere and hope to keep all their info straight? my idea is that i want to share more… share… discuss… and reflect. each time i try to tackle it, it seems a logistical nightmare.
i should note- i’m experienced web developer, probably why its becoming a ‘challenge’.
I would look at education.weebly.com because you would have some editorial oversite over the blogs but they would be managed by the students.
Hi! I attended your class early last week and my web page is still VERY ROUGH and I’m working on it, but here it is if you want to post it. I’ll be updating it daily as I play with it more.
Thanks.
Judy Dehr
jdehr.wordpress.com
Great! Let me know if I can help and I’ll update this page shortly with all the new examples…
I’m having a BLAST with my web page! Thanks so much for all your help!!!
Judy
Hi, I was recently in your class. The web page is coming along fine. But I could use some help with photos. I thought maybe photos would be easier with the picasa program you showed, but JCPS /McAfee is blocking it on my computer. Any suggestions.
Are you referring to the Picasa program or the Picasa Web Albums? If you are wanting to edit a photo in the program and then upload it, there should not be any sort of block or issue with JCPS. Web albums… you can link to them like a standard web page or even embed them in blog. Let me know if you need a hand, I am back to work now so I’ll be happy to give you a buzz and walk you through it.
Thanks so much. It seems to all be working today. Yesterday after I downloaded Picasa 3 it kept not responding and the McAfee yellow alert kept showing up. But today I’m in and playing with photos. Go figure? However, I may take you up on that help another day. Thanks again – Leah
fyi — when you click on my lin in your listing, it goes to tiffany’s site . . .
Judy
Sorry about that, must have been multitasking again…
My web page is up and going now. Thanks for all your help. It is mrsbarnes102.wordpress.com
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