TIPS FOR BUILDING A CLASSROOM OR SCHOOL WEB SITE

Be clear about your goals.

Remember that a web site is simply a vehicle, not a destination. Decide how you want to use the site (to teach? communicate? provide information?) and who you want to reach (students? parents? potential families? your local community? the world?)

Get some help.

Involve your audience in the planning. Seek advice from your system's technology wizards. Enlist knowledgeable or interested students and parents to help build and maintain your site.

Refer to your school or district's web policy.

Many districts have developed policies that can guide your planning. If yours does not, check the web for samples from other schools. Be mindful of safety and privacy issues.

Be quality conscious.

Keep your site comfortable-pleasing to look at, quick to download and easy to use. Don't let the lure of colorful tricks or gimmicks obscure your goals.

Keep it timely.

New material on a site keeps visitors returning. And outdated information will keep them away. When you decide on content, keep in mind your ability for upkeep.

Get students involved.

They will be learning valuable skills for the future. Even young students can help decide content and learn how to build pages.

Students can also use the site to teach others and share their work. Suggest developing and maintaining school web sites as a service learning project for students. Incorporate web page design in a communications course.

Take advantage of training.

Find out what's offered by your district, local library, or community college. Sign up for free TLC trainings (see Resources).

Written by The Family Connection of St. Joseph County, Inc. for Partners in Learning [Vol 2:1, 1998] a newsletter of the Indiana Center for Family, School & Community Partnerships. If you would like more information about using technology to involve families, contact the Center at 317-205-2595 or email: fscp@indy.net

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