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Creating a Web Page for Your Class
Many educators recognize the value of the Internet as a powerful research tool
for the classroom. The World Wide Web consists of literally billions of pages
where students can find primary sources, reference materials, and educational
activities, and teachers can access lesson plans and instructional strategies.
But how many educators fully realize the power of the Web as a means of communication?
This month's Technology Tip will explore some ways you can use this unique resource
to connect with students and their families as you return to the classroom this
fall.
Nearly every district and school in America has a presence on the Web, and many
have designated pages for faculty. Many of these faculty pages exist as little
more than lists of contact information, broken links, or outdated homework assignments.
But it doesn't have to be that way! With a bit of planning and effort, you can
create a simple and effective Web page that can provide a meaningful link between
school, home, and the community.
Before You Begin
Most
schools and districts now have E-mail and Internet Use Policies to ensure that
administrators, teachers, students, and parents utilize technology resources properly
and responsibly. Be sure to consult with your school or district Technology Coordinator
or Web Administrator for guidelines about what kind of content is suitable to
post on your page. He or she should also be able to help you with some of the
technical requirements for getting your information onto the site.Web pages are formatted using HTML (HyperText Markup Language), a code that gives your Internet browser instructions for how to display the page. The amount of HTML you need to know depends on the software you're using to build your page. Again, check with your Web Administrator to see what your school is using. While it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with basic HTML tags no matter what editing program you use, some programs work more like traditional word processors and will allow you to format your page in a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) environment, with little or no knowledge of HTML.
There are a number of places on the Web to find help with HTML. "Learning HTML," an article on the Internet Public Library's site, was written for students, but it's a good basic introduction to what HTML is and how it works. For more in-depth information, try the HTML Primer Series at HTML Goodies or "Writing HTML: A Tutorial for Creating Web Pages," a guide produced specifically for teachers by the Maricopa Center for Learning and Instruction.
Choosing Content
Once you've acquainted yourself with the technical and procedural aspects of creating your page, you're ready to begin thinking about the content you'd like to post. Take a few moments to sketch out some ideas before you head to the computer. Designing a flow chart is a good way to see how your content will work within your design. Planning ahead will help you organize the elements of your page and will make updating information much easier. Consider the kinds of information that you'd like to share with students, parents, and colleagues. A first step might be to divide your page into two sections-one that contains general information that doesn't change, and one that you update on a regular basis.You might begin by creating a "Class Info" section that can include details about your expectations for students, as well as your homework and grading policies, so students and parents can refer to them throughout the year. You could also generate a calendar for the school year that lists important dates like holidays and teacher workdays, or link to a similar page on the school's main site. A list of search engines and reference sites will be helpful to students who access your page as they work on school projects at home, or even when they're just surfing the 'Net. These links can also be useful for other educators who visit your site. See Technology & Learning magazine's "Sites for Students" or the Computer Learning Foundation's "A Well-Lighted Place for Kids" for lists of kid-friendly Web content. The Federal Citizen Information Center's "FirstGov for Kids" provides links to content in twenty subject categories, such as Arts, Geography, Government, History, and Science & Math. Sub-headings like "Government," "Organization," "Education," and "Commercial" let you know what kind of entity operates each site. Always remember to visit sites before recommending them to your students to ensure that the content is appropriate. And of course, you'll also want to include your current contact information in the "Info" section, as well as the best way for parents and students to get in touch with you.
The immediacy and flexibility of the Web make it an ideal place to communicate information that changes frequently or that is time-sensitive. A "News" section can be a place to highlight class events or homework assignments and their due dates. If you have access to a digital camera and/or a scanner, consider creating a section for photos of field trips, student presentations, or artwork. [Note: If you choose to include photos of students, be aware of privacy and safety concerns. Be sure you have a parent's or guardian's permission, and never post students' last names or other personal information on the Internet.]
Another good use of your Web space is to provide additional links to in-depth information about topics that you and your students are covering in class. For example, check out Colonial Williamsburg's "Explore & Learn" section for links to hundreds of pages of early-American history content, including pages on biographies, buildings, clothing, trades, and even an archaeology page just for students. If your school has registered for Colonial Williamsburg's Electronic Field Trips, you can provide a link to each program's Web page so students can access activities, links, and forums from home.
Things to Remember
After you've selected content to include on your page, keep in mind a few general guidelines about Web design and maintenance. Keep your page simple and clean. If your links and presentation are organized and coherent, your page will be much easier for others to understand and use, and updates will be much simpler. A page with fewer, smaller graphics will also download more quickly. Also, be sure to check your links on a regular basis to make sure they're still active, and update any outdated information. In addition, be aware of copyright issues. It's okay to get ideas from other Websites, but don't copy entire pages or use anyone else's work without giving proper credit. Once you've created your page, don't forget to let students and parents know. They won't visit if they don't know it's there! Send an e-mail to parents or have students take home a note containing your page's URL.Sample Teacher Pages
One of the best ways to learn about successful Web design and get ideas for your page is to visit sites created by other teachers. Some of our Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute graduates have constructed effective and engaging sites for their classrooms that might serve as inspiration as you begin to think about creating your own page. Doyle Richardson, a fifth-grade teacher at Frontier Elementary School in Sacramento, California, designed his page to include links to homework, handouts, assigned reading, and a letter to parents containing important class information. Fifth-grade teacher Robert Curry at Vinci Park School in San Jose, California, developed a page devoted to his "Colonial History Project," a web-based project that integrates research and presentation skills. "Mr. Riordan's Class Page," created by Rick Riordan, who teaches sixth- and eighth-grade Social Studies at Saint Mary's Hall in San Antonio, Texas, includes links to History and Geography sites, as well as examples of student writing.Building a Web page for your class can seem intimidating when you consider all the possibilities for design, content, and organization. A little preparation and planning, however, will make the entire process much less complicated (and maybe even fun!), and the finished product can help you and your students make the most of the Internet's capabilities.
This article was written by Leisha Cook, Department of Education Outreach, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
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