From: Tony Mitchell, Environmental Earth Science Teacher, Lewis Mills HS, Burlington/Harwinton CT
Date: June 12, 2000
Re: my website
You asked me to list what I use my website for, as an example of what is actually being done by a regular classroom teacher using their own website. In addition to this list, you may want to check out an overview of the possibilities that I wrote in 1997 after I had been using my website for half a year. The url for that overview is: http://www.oocities.org/tjamitch/crompton.htm
Please note I've tried to describe how I use my website only. This does not include other ways that I use the internet.
I'm planning to post this description at: http://www.oocities.org/tjamitch/webuse.htm
Use |
Description |
Examples |
| 1. Course documentation | The home page for my web site is
a modification of the course description that we hand out to students and parents. I keep
the home page updated, then when I have to print a course description, I print that page
with minor modifications. When we designed the course, we wrote pages and pages of goals and objectives. I made web pages out of them so people can get them easier than tracking down a binder, students can use them for reference, and other teachers can use them. Since public school documents are in the public domain, the web page makes them accessible without any additional time spent. I also put some of my lesson plans on the web site. |
http://www.oocities.org/tjamitch/
INDEX.HTM http://www.oocities.org/tjamitch/ landobj.htm http://www.oocities.org/tjamitch/ planning.htm http://www.oocities.org/tjamitch/ ropa.htm http://www.oocities.org/tjamitch/ ATMSLESS.HTM
|
| 2. Parent communication | Parents appreciate having
access to course materials independently of their students. They have commented to me how
useful it is to get assignment sheets from the web site so they can check to see what
their child "forgot" to do. Email, although separate from a web site, is very useful for parent communication. We can write to each other easier than with letters, and not have to play phone tag to keep in touch. If parent comments can benefit other parents, I can create a web page for them. Parents love being able to check their children's grades on a regular basis. |
http://www.oocities.org/tjamitch/ space/asmntsht.htm
|
| 3. Assignment sheets | Even though I hand out assignment sheets in class, having them on a web site makes it easier when a student loses one, or when it needs to be modified. I can also add links to assignments right in the assignment sheet. | http://www.oocities.org/tjamitch/ space/asmntsht.htm |
| 4. Student grades | I use a very old spreadsheet program that will run on the oldest computers in my classroom. Using it, I create a display of student grades with each student identified with a secret number, and a lot of fake student numbers with grades automatically filled in. Students use this page more than any other page on the site, especially near report card time. I find that a lot of my time is saved by having the student check their grades themselves instead of asking me. | http://www.oocities.org/tjamitch/ gradpage.htm
|
| 5. Class handouts | Many of the handouts I use in class are written and then printed with a web page editor. This saves the added step of converting documents to html for the website. I hope to eventually put a copy of each handout I use in class on the web site. The web page version is useful because not only can the student get another copy from home when they lose it, the page can include links to more information. | http://www.oocities.org/tjamitch/
internal/cteqhist.htm
|
| 6. Check answers | Some class work requires the student to check their progress as they go along. I set up web pages that allow the student to enter their answer, then the computer tells the student if its right or not. | http://www.oocities.org/tjamitch/
internal/oregens.htm
|
| 7. News and Announcements | I keep a chronological list
of new or updated pages through the year on the home page. This is so students can find
the page I mentioned in class right at the top of the page. On all my newer pages I put a scrolling list of announcements and reminders. I only have to change one file, and each page with that announcement shows the new announcements. Its important to note that I could never write all these pages with all the navigational links from scratch each time. I use a format I developed with all the basic coding, and just add to it. The older, non-updated pages on my site reflect the pattern I was using when I made them. When I update a page, I just copy the newest form to the page. |
http://www.oocities.org/tjamitch/ INDEX.HTM#wassup
|
| 8. Extra help | By using email and "instant messaging", I often help students with their studying during evenings and weekends just before big tests. Although a website is not required for this, I take the messages I send back to them and turn them into a quick web page. Then the next student looking for help can check that page and see if I've answered their question already. | http://www.oocities.org/tjamitch/ land/fnlhelp.htm
|
| 9. Student work | Students have been writing their own web pages about course topics and posting them on their own web sites. When they are finished and corrected, I will add them to the class site. This way, more people can benefit from their research than just a student and a teacher. | http://www.oocities.org/tjamitch/ enviss.htm
|
| 10. School Promotion | I try to add links and pages to the site when teachers and students are recognized for their achievements. Of course this includes recognition of my website also, but I have not applied for any awards. The best recognition of the site is that it seems to keep showing up on other people's sites. | http://www.oocities.org/tjamitch/ scishow/ apalice.htm |
| 11. Weather information | We have a digital weather station that we use during the course. The one internet connected computer in my classroom sends a report to the website once per hour (usually). That page also has links to local weather sources, and the data from the weather station is also available for student research. | http://www.oocities.org/tjamitch/ wthrbltn.htm
|
| 12. Animations | If I cannot find an animation that illustrates what I want to show, I can attempt to make one myself. The cartoon can be used on the classroom computer without a website, but having it on the website helps students to remember what they saw in class | http://www.oocities.org/tjamitch/
space/orbitoon.gif
|
| 13. Links to other resources | I liberally sprinkle links to other sites throughout my web pages. There are programs which automatically turn your own Favorites/Bookmarks into a web page. | http://www.oocities.org/tjamitch/
foundtns/fndtnfav.htm
|
| 14. Self guided lessons | With a computer room available so that each student can get on the internet, lessons can be designed so each student can learn at their own pace. By putting the lesson on a web site, the student can finish it on their own time. | http://www.oocities.org/tjamitch/
oceans/arctclab.htm
|
| 15. Independent Study | A website can showcase work that students do on their own time. | http://www.oocities.org/tjamitch/ lsmstem.htm |
| 16. Co-curricular | A website can promote club work and help an after school club communicate with its members. It can be a central location for photos that all club members want. | http://www.oocities.org/tjamitch/ ecoactn.htm |
| 17. Community assistance | We have used our website to post web pages and links for local organizations. | http://www.oocities.org/tjamitch/
naugy/nrwa.htm http://www.oocities.org/tjamitch/ naugy/searchva.htm |
| 18. Personal use | Although my website is primarily for my class, I do use it for my own enjoyment. For example, I like to store my photos from the Great State of Maine on the site. | http://www.oocities.org/tjamitch/ maine/ |
