As the new school year gets closer to beginning, I have set out on a task to offer more technological opportunities for my students. I teach in a rather rural area, so some of my students have limited internet access. However, every year the accessibility increases, so I thought this year would be a good year to get started and take a trial run. I know, for some of you this seems very late in coming, but I still believe there are many teachers out there who have not created classroom websites for a multitude of reasons: not enough time, many web site providers charge high fees, or the technology is too difficult.
I have spent a few days this week creating a website using google sites. (Feel free to check it out at http://sites.google.com/site/khsmdwalls ). Please keep in mind this is still a work in progress. Surprisingly, this free site set-up program is rather user friendly. I am able to create pages for each of my classes and can link notes or calendars to those pages. I can also create pages for the clubs I sponsor. The program offers an area where students can make comments . . . great for an online discussion board. The left navigation bar can be personalized for the highest level of convenience!
I plan on including my website information on my class syllabus that I give out the first day of school. I am also going to take my classes into the computer lab one day during the first two weeks of school to have a “scavenger hunt” of my website. This will allow them to become familiar with the site and with the linked websites that they may be able to use for help from home! I think this will ultimately enhance what I am doing in the classroom by allowing parents to check on assignments, by allowing students to obtain notes even when they are absent, and by allowing other teachers within my department to see the progress my classes are making.
If you are a classroom teacher who has yet to take this leap into technology, this year may be a great year to start. I am certain there are other options out there as well for free, user-friendly web-sites, this was just the one I have experienced. If you are intimidated, find a student who can help you (yes, I did say a student—most of them have way more experience with this type of technology than we do!). The way I see it, my students have nothing to lose and everything to gain by having another tool available to them and their parents. Why not give it a try!
The scavenger hunt is a great idea. I have had a classroom website in the past but I’ve never introduced the students to it that way. I can’t believe I didn’t think of that!
Martha, thanks for your comment. I’ve used the scavenger hunt idea in the past when I really want my students to look deep into a website . . .for example, the online textbook! I usually offer a prize (candy or a bookmark) to the first 3 finishers. I don’t know how your school schedule is, but at my school, by the time I get into the computer lab and have everyone signed on, I am only left with about 30 minutes for the lesson. The scavenger hunt makes it fun (and competitive) so the students don’t get sidetracked but can still accomplish my ultimate goal!
Technology in the classroom is a wonderful idea. Before I became an educator, I worked IT and computer support at a college. I believe class websites and computers in the classroom are excellent additions to the classroom.
However, for the first time in my educational career I have experienced technology overload. My district wanted to put twenty-four computers in my classroom! If it were a business applications class, I could totally understand the thinking behind the computers, but I teach a hands-on class where we spend most of the time building mechanical devices. In this case, it was technology overkill.
Just a thought to keep in mind. As I have seen more and more teachers immerse their classrooms in technology, I have began to notice an over dependence on it. Sometimes we teach the tools and not the underlying principles. Keep that in mind as you continue your adventures into the tech savvy world, and good luck with the website.