Transcript Designing Class Web Sites

Teaching and Learning with Technology
Using the Web for
Teaching and Learning
Chapter 8
Teaching and Learning with Technology
 Allyn and Bacon 2002
Understanding Web Sites
A web site is
• A series of related web pages
• Pages are connected by means of hyperlinks
• Activating a link by clicking jumps the user to
the connected web page
• Links can also jump to other web sites
• Moving between pages is called navigating a
web site
Teaching and Learning with Technology
 Allyn and Bacon 2002
Understanding the Web
• Web pages are written in a formatting
language called HTML
• Web browsers are programs that translates
HTML into the text and graphics on a web
page
• Files written in HTML are stored in web
folders on a web server
• Browsers let users browse through these files
Teaching and Learning with Technology
 Allyn and Bacon 2002
Understanding the Web
• Every web server has a specific address
called a URL
• URLs are preceded by http:// which stands for
hypertext transfer protocol
• http:// designates that the method of
interacting (protocol) will be via hypertext
transfer
• Many browsers automatically insert http:// so
users do not need to type it
Teaching and Learning with Technology
 Allyn and Bacon 2002
Evaluating Web Sites
• Web sites should be evaluated before using
them in the classroom
Web sites should
• Be well designed and logical to follow
• Have appropriate authority and expertise
• Be free of bias
• Not be selling a product or viewpoint
Teaching and Learning with Technology
 Allyn and Bacon 2002
Multimedia on the Web
Graphics
• Visual images and pictures enhance the
educational value of a Web site
• Different graphic formats may impact how
easily a site is used
• GIF (Graphic Interchange Format) images may
be still or animated artwork
• JPEG (Joint Photographic Expert Group)
images are typically used for photographs
Teaching and Learning with Technology
 Allyn and Bacon 2002
Multimedia on the Web
Audio
• Sound clips can add dimension to a Web
page
• Formats vary in download time and playback
• WAV and AU files may need to be downloaded
before being played resulting in delays
• Streaming audio plays files as they are
downloading but may require an additional
(free) streaming audio player
Teaching and Learning with Technology
 Allyn and Bacon 2002
Multimedia on the Web
Video
• Video clips can add moving images to a Web
page
• Streaming video allows for viewing as the clip
is downloaded
• Due to bandwidth problems, images may be
somewhat choppy
Teaching and Learning with Technology
 Allyn and Bacon 2002
Search Engines
• Search Engines are programs that help users
find information on the Web
• Web site creators register their URL along
with key words that describe their site and a
brief description of their site
• Search engines maintain a data base of
URLS, key words, and descriptions
• When users type in key words to find, search
engines return URLs that match
Teaching and Learning with Technology
 Allyn and Bacon 2002
Search Engines
• Some search engines use bots, automated
programs, to generate their databases
• When using search engines it is important to
use exact key words to avoid extraneous hits
• Boolean operators such as AND, OR, and
NOT can help to refine searches and avoid
undesired hits
Teaching and Learning with Technology
 Allyn and Bacon 2002
Portals
• Some sites that started as search engine
sites have grown into portals
• Portals offer a variety of services including
email, conferences, and chats
• Portals are also “doorways” to other Web
sites
• Unlike ISPs, portals do not provided
connections to the Internet
Teaching and Learning with Technology
 Allyn and Bacon 2002
Educational Web Resources
On Line Publications
• Many magazines, newspapers, and journals
are now available via the Web
• Articles can be saved or printed in HTML or
PDF formats
• HTML formats require a web browser to view
or print them
• PDF files need Acrobat reader to view or print
them
Teaching and Learning with Technology
 Allyn and Bacon 2002
Educational Web Resources
Professional Organizations On Line
• Most major organizations have a Web
presence
• Resources from organization Web sites
include news, articles, links, calendars, and
conferences
• Subscribing to organizational listservs can
keep busy educators current on key issues
Teaching and Learning with Technology
 Allyn and Bacon 2002
Educational Web Resources
Governmental Sites On Line
• Local, state, and Federal web sites offer
valuable resources
• Governmental resources can be freely used
since they are “owned” by taxpayers
• The US Department of Education offers or
sponsors comprehensive services to
educators including ERIC
Teaching and Learning with Technology
 Allyn and Bacon 2002
Educational Web Resources
Education Portals
• Portals dedicated to teaching and learning
offer targeted resources for educators,
students, and parents
Links
• Most educational Web resources provide
links to related sites
• Book marking these links gives quick access
to favorite sites
Teaching and Learning with Technology
 Allyn and Bacon 2002
Educational Web Resources
Classroom Management Tools
• Some sites include downloadable or on line
tools for teachers
• Such tools include
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Puzzle Makers
Test Generators
Diagnostic Tests (learning styles, etc)
Electronic Grade Books
Teaching and Learning with Technology
 Allyn and Bacon 2002
Educational Web Resources
Academic Tools and Resources
• Other sites include downloadable or on line
academic tools and/or resources
• These include
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Lesson Plans
Worksheet Generators
Reference Tools
Encyclopedias
Teaching Ideas and Exchanges
Teaching and Learning with Technology
 Allyn and Bacon 2002
Web Enhanced Instruction
Enhancing Communication
• Teachers can enhance classroom
communications via a class Web site
• FAQs on a Web site can answer common
student and parent questions
• Conferences and email let people interact at
times convenient and in a manner
comfortable to them
• Chats allow for documentable conversations
Teaching and Learning with Technology
 Allyn and Bacon 2002
Web Enhanced Instruction
Linking Students to the World
• Global learning communities can be
established for cross cultural sharing
• Key pals establish personal contacts and
communications
• Projects can be developed internationally that
engage students in research and
communication
Teaching and Learning with Technology
 Allyn and Bacon 2002
Web Enhanced Instruction
Building Bridges to Parents and Community
• Class web sites share what is happening in a
classroom with parents, other schools, and
the community
• Posting current homework and class events
keeps parents informed
• Involving the community and posting joint
projects creates and supports partnerships
Teaching and Learning with Technology
 Allyn and Bacon 2002
Designing Class Web Sites
Storyboarding
• A storyboard is a text and picture
representation of the sequence of pages on a
web site
• Storyboards may be done on index cards by
hand or with software tools such as
Inspiration
• Storyboards let you think through the entire
site and the relationships and links between
pages
Teaching and Learning with Technology
 Allyn and Bacon 2002
Designing Class Web Sites
Site Consistency
• A class Web site should be consistent in “look
and feel” from page to page
• Colors should not only be visually appealing
they should be consistent in terms of use
from page to page
• Buttons should be consistently placed for
easy navigation
Teaching and Learning with Technology
 Allyn and Bacon 2002
Designing Class Web Sites
Medium vs. Message
• Don’t let the versatility of Web page design
overwhelm the message being
communicated
• Limit colors and font styles
• Add only those animations and graphics that
enhance the message
• Maintain balance and leave white space
Teaching and Learning with Technology
 Allyn and Bacon 2002
Designing Class Web Sites
Stay Bias Free
• Information presented should be based on
facts
• Opinions should be clearly identified as such
• Pages should be reviewed for gender,
cultural, and ethnic bias
Stay Current
• All materials should be dated to maintain
currency
Teaching and Learning with Technology
 Allyn and Bacon 2002
Designing Class Web Sites
Include a Site Map or Search Engine
• Site maps show a snapshot view of all pages
included in the site
• Site maps help visitors quickly find desired
pages
• Offer search engine software to search your
site for desired information
Teaching and Learning with Technology
 Allyn and Bacon 2002
Designing Class Web Sites
Using Multimedia
• Add audio and video for interest and to
enhance content
• Be sure to include links to any players visitors
might need to use the multimedia
components you include
Current Links
• Offer links to you favorite tools, links, and
other educational resources
Teaching and Learning with Technology
 Allyn and Bacon 2002
Designing Class Web Sites
Provide Contact Information
• Visitors may wish to contact you by email or
mail
• Include a hot link to your email address as
well as your school’s postal mail address
Provide Copyright Information
• Let visitors understand whether you allow
them to use elements of your pages and
under what conditions
Teaching and Learning with Technology
 Allyn and Bacon 2002
Designing Class Web Sites
Access for Disabled Visitors
• Include a design and links to software that
facilitates the use of your Web site by visitors
with disabilities
Site Content
• Keep content focused on your Web sites
goals
• Be sure to include key elements such as
teacher name, school, class information, etc
Teaching and Learning with Technology
 Allyn and Bacon 2002
Designing Class Web Sites
Authoring Made Easy
• Web authoring systems let teachers create
HTML files without knowing the language
• Many popular applications let you save files
created by the application in HTML
• Some application include Web Wizards to
facilitate layout and linking of web page files
• Free authoring software may be provided by
your ISP or Web host
Teaching and Learning with Technology
 Allyn and Bacon 2002
Designing Class Web Sites
Uploading your Classroom Web Site
• You may be able to add your site to your
school or district Web server
• Or you may select to use a Web host, a site
that provides Web site space to educators
• Be sure to review hosts for
• Policies regarding placing adds on your site
• Amount of web space available
• To upload, you will need to use an FTP
program
Teaching and Learning with Technology
 Allyn and Bacon 2002