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File created:
    June 12, 2000
Last modified:
   Apr 22, 2002
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What Good Is A Class Website?
(by Tony Mitchell, LSM Teacher)

Below is a list of how I use the Environmental Earth Science website. Please note this describes how I use the website only. This does not include other ways that I use the internet.

Use

Description

Examples
(please note there should be no spaces in the printed urls below)

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.

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/ cmap.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

 

 

http://www.oocities.org/ tjamitch/ gradpage.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

 

 

http://www.oocities.org/ tjamitch/ newpage.htm

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

http://www.oocities.org/ tjamitch/ grncrcle.htm

AltaVista

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/ atmosphere/ wthrsta/ 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

http://www.oocities.org/ tjamitch/ ecoaction/ ecoacton.htm#ethon

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/ sessions/

http://www.oocities.org/ tjamitch/ internal/brismin.htm

(This description is based on a request for information that is now at: http:// www.oocities.org/ CapeCanaveral/ 7639/ siteuse.htm)
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