Classroom Webpages

     This study was interesting because it really dug in deep to what types of things were being added to classroom websites.  Also beyond just the classroom website it touched on what benefits the internet posed for teaching literacy, like author and publisher websites, that students can explore. (Baker, p. 6)   Websites were used to display “newsletters”, “external links”, and “publishing student work.”  I think this is typical of what I usually see on classroom websites that I have visited.  In the district that I substitute for I think that most teachers created their website as a result of a professional development session they had taken.  I believe the administration highly recommends that all teachers have a website, mainly as a place parents can go to see what their child is up to in school.  This article also brought up the idea of the “invisible classroom” that is created when a teacher provides a website for students to visit at any time of day or night.  (Baker, p. 18)  This will only be beneficial to students if the teacher updates the website consistently, so that the students are constantly having new work to try or websites to explore.  Lastly, it was surprising to see that there was no support of peer culture on the websites explored.  This is sad because students would get more involved in a teacher’s website if they were to find something that they could relate to on it. - “Elementary Classroom Websites”

      I agree that because of the increase in student’s ability to use and access technology, teachers should take advantage of this by creating a class website that promotes literacy learning.  The different “levels” that class websites fall into make perfect sense and are easily distinguished between.  In my experience I have come across mostly “static” and “semistatic” teacher webpages.  It looks like the teacher just set up the site, including the basics, and never really updates info. throughout the school year.    I hope to create my own website that including or linking to many different aspects of the web that we have discussed in this class.  A website has the ability to be so dynamic and fun for students to visit, and if done right students are learning without even realizing it.  The district I work in honors a teacher's webpage by highlighting a "teacher webpage of the month."  My mother was always trying to get that honor and when she did she showed the whole family multiple times throughout the month.  A little friendly competition between collegues helps them create innovative and engaging websites.  The more involved a student can be in a website the better.  It is important to dedicate time in class to teach students how to navigate your website though, so that they are able to be self-sufficient when the teacher is not around.

- “Making the Most of Your Class Website”

     I really like how this article categorized websites into three different learning environments; informational reading systems, interactive learning systems, and instructional learning systems, each of these increasingly becoming more and more complex and interactive.  After reading this I was reminded that websites, no matter how informative or engaging, still need to be monitored by the teacher and lessons need to be formed, with the site acting as a tool for learning.  There has to be accompanying assignments and discussions to check for understanding after the assignment.  This article offers a lot of creative ideas for using different kinds of websites.    Teachers should always remember to monitor each student while using these new technologies to make sure that they are working effectively and that the assignment is worthwhile.  Reflection and on lessons with websites is critical to make sure they are the best tool for your specific students to use.
- “Using Websites Wisely”

     This article focused on the organization of school webpages.  I love that the authors went straight to the source and surveyed those who use the website most to see what should or shouldn’t be added to the site.  Even before looking into what should be included in a school or district website it is imperative to make sure the site is organized, easy to navigate, and user friendly.  In the survey given it was unanimous between teacher, students, and parents that they wanted the school calendar and homework information included somewhere on the school website. They all felt that community information was not important to include.(Miller, Adsit, p. 39)  Whenever I have used a school website I look for the same kinds of things each time;  the address of the school, staff information, teacher webpages, and human resources.  As long as parents, teachers, and students know where to look for things that they need that is all that matters.  “Composition of the school website is reliant upon the school having personnel with the technical expertise needed to make web changes.” (Miller, Adsit, p.39) If you have great tech. people to work with the possibilities are endless to what could be added and updated on a school website.

- “Evaluating the Importance of Common Components in School-Based Websites: Frequency of Appearance and Stakeholders' Judged Value”