Erin Haines

SLM-521

April 6, 2005

 

 

 

Elective # 6-Instructional Web Activity-Teacher Made Websites

 

Website #1- This site is a teacher-made 8th grade science class.  This site is useful because it is a great reference page for students.  It contains a wide variety of information for the class. This includes the syllabus, homework and much more.  This is an excellent resource for students that have missed information because they were sick or simply not given certain handouts. 

http://users.freshpond.net/j/jsweet/science.html

 

Three Recommendations

 

  1. This site could use a few more categories.  Some ideas may include an

      interesting facts section, an extra credit section or daily class reviews.   This    

      would make the site an even greater resource to the students.  It would also

      encourage more frequent visits to the site.

  1. Another suggestion for this site would be to add more pictures.  This site has

      terrific graphics and pictures but I would like to see even more.  This would

      be a great place to teach diagrams, etc.   

  1. Involve the students in the updating of the website or in any suggestions for

      the site.  Let them know that they can make an anonymous post about

      their suggestions.  Another possibility may include adding a discussion

      forum and requiring students to participate.

 

Three Commendations

 

  1. This site is highly organized.  All of the links are clearly labeled and it is easy to find assignments and other information.  Information is in simple form.
  2. The pictures on this website are very colorful and interesting.  They make the site more visually pleasing.  I like the picture of the teacher’s dog.  This is a great way to help the students get to know the teacher better.  This is a great conversation starter.  What an original idea!!!
  3. The print colors work well together and help to tie the information together.  By using three colors that complement each other, the teacher makes the site attractive and easy for her students to navigate.

 

 

 

Website #2-This site is a teacher-made 1st grade elementary education website.  This site is probably more useful to the parents of the first grade students than the students themselves.  However, this is a wonderful way to introduce a first-grader to the internet.   The parent may sit down with the child to go over the site and its contents.  

http://myschoolonline.com/site/0,1876,38059-140527-42-5678,00.html

 

Three Recommendations

 

1.      Instead of using the logos, just list the graphic companies that you used for graphics.  These logos just add extra pictures that clutter the website

      unnecessarily.  This would simplify the website.

2.  There is no reason to have topics listed on the sidebar and at the bottom of        

     the page.  This is confusing and makes navigating more difficult.  By

     deleting one group of topics you would simplify the website.

3.  Add something fun for the students to do on the website.  This will

     capture their interest when they sit down to view the site with their

     parents.

 

 

    

Three Commendations

 

1.      This site is great for parents.  It has so much information that allows parents

      to be actively involved in their child’s class. 

2.   The graphics on this site are very child-like.  They are perfect for the first

      grade level.  These graphics make the site user-friendly for this age group.

2.      It is great that this site has a link to the teacher’s email.  What a great way

      for the parents to feel comfortable communicating with the teacher.