Choice+-+Build+a+Website

= Creating a Class or Personal Web Site - =

Creating a web site used to involve learning html or how to use web page editing programs like Dreamweaver and Frontpage that were quite costly. Now creating a site that fits about any purpose is quick, easy and often times free! Most teachers do not need high level skills in web site creation. Wikis and other online web site creation sites are really all one needs to create a useful web site for classroom use. Increasingly Wikis are the tool of choice, they are easy to make, free, can be made private and fairly customizable. There are of course, limitations, however, they are minor compared to the advantages for busy teachers. As with any web site creation, use common sense in terms of what is posted.

Decide on the purpose of the site

 * Will it be a collaborative one?
 * Will it be a personal log or journal?
 * Will it be a site in the 'traditional' sense - for displaying information?
 * Who is your audience?

Plan the content and the organizational format.

 * What information will be on the site?
 * How should it be organized?
 * How many pages do you need?
 * What colour scheme will you use?
 * What will the layout be like?

Choose the tool to best suit your needs
There are many to choose from, each has pros and cons. Play with various tools and pick one best for your needs.
 * a wiki?
 * a blog?
 * which one?

Some informational links
Take a Byte out of Wiki II A basic informatinal site that was originally constructed for the 2009 BYTE conference by Shawn Kleebaum, Boissevain School & Mike Nantais, Brandon University

Google sites Another easy to use tool from the Google Giant pbWorks Wikispaces Our class wiki is created on a wikispace platform. Wetpaint Claims to be the largest network of free websites available
 * Free Sites: ** Use your generic gmail account to signup. Each host has advantages and disadvantages. Select based on your preferences and your needs.

The assignment (one approach)
You will be creating a web site (using a wiki, blog or other on-line web creation tool)

Teacher’s Class web site: This site will follow principles of good design and will include at least 4 pages. More details are below.

Your home page should contain some information about you and links to your favorite web sites. You may want to include information about yourself on this page. You can add links to your work and student teaching assignments, etc. Remember this information will be published to the Internet. Do not show any personal information about yourself you do not want everyone in the world to be able to view.
 * Your home page**

One of the pages should be a page presenting information for parents. This page should also contain links to other Internet sources. This can be about a particular grade (grade 6) or a subject (if in SY).
 * Page for Parents**

A second page should be a page presenting information to your students. It should contain information for students, schedules, rules, rules and other information for your students related to the teaching area, such as course information, images, video, powerpoint presentation, links to useful sites, etc.
 * General Page for Students**

At least one more page - more if wanted - will deal with a specific topic in depth, links, videos, webquest, etc that can be used in teaching the topic. (eg a page about Quadratic Functions)
 * Further Pages**


 * Some points to consider:**
 * Links to good Internet resources on each page – no broken links!
 * Appropriate information for the page (content)
 * Appropriate graphic images used in the Web site that enhance the page, – appropriate format, name, size and not violating copyright
 * Page identification for each page (title)
 * Use of good page layout and graphic design including font choice, colours, use of white space, use of tables,etc. (specific to the audience)
 * Navigation path clear, logical, consistent format extends to all pages
 * Use styles consistently for all headings and text
 * Correct spelling and grammar