Week 3 - Website Reflection

The next task was to create a website using Weebly. At first I was unsure of what to include in it but when I looked up sites such as 10 Tips for an A+ Classroom Website and Guidelines to Create a Classroom Website I decided to add in the sections listed below. I have included a link to my website.


Information and resources from current and future classroom lessons is available by clicking on the 'Materials' tab.

Homework worksheets and assignment task sheets are available in the 'Homework' tab.

Information relating to each of the Key Learning Areas is available in the 'KLA' tab.Useful links to online study tutorials, games and information are available in the 'Study' tab.

In the 'Parents' link I have included a contact form for parents as well as our classroom rules and other useful information.

In the 'Students' space and blog' link students' artworks, activities, assignments and much more will be available so that parents' and relatives can keep in touch with what students' are learning.


In order to effectively reflect on the functionality of a website I have chosen to use a PMI analysis. I have published it below

Plus

Information is accessible in the same way each time a person visits the site (as opposing to archiving in blogs) Can link other schools' or class' websites to keep track of their learnings in the same subject areas. Is always set out neatly and in an organised fashion as it is designed by the teacher only A comprehensive tool for parents to access information about upcoming events, homework and general learning areas. There are no more excuses such as “I lost my homework sheet” or “I don’t have a task sheet” as these resources are readily available  on the website Fantastic study tool for students. information cannot be edited or added by anyone other than the teacher

Minus

Information cannot be edited or added by anyone other than the teacher which means students cannot readily contribute to the site. (+ and -) Only available with internet access Is not a collaborative method like a blog or wiki Does not provide an account of students’ learning process or progress

Interesting

Great for presenting explicit information to a specific group of people Can be a useful tool to encourage learners to contribute to the page by having a weekly post by students. The student can present any piece of learning they have done that week to the site and write a brief blurb about it focusing on the format specified by the teacher.  Good tool to use in conjunction with a blog or wiki. Encourage students to access the website then comment in the blog. Useful tool in Weebly is adding a blog page to your website.

From this analysis it is clear to see that there are more pluses than minuses in utilizing a website. A website is a great starting point for students' learning both in and outside the classroom. Students can access a wealth of information online that has been transferred from the lessons in class, thus recapping what was covered in class.

Links to KLA websites provide students with different ICT methods that facilitate learning such as games, videos, podcasts, etc. This helps to ensure that students' individual learning styles are being taken into account.

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