sarah hustwit dhs/ghs latin if you build it, they will come how to plan your schoolwires web page
TRANSCRIPT
Sarah HustwitDHS/GHS Latin
If You Build It, They Will Come
How to plan your Schoolwires web page
*just like lesson plans, you design
with the end goal in mind
*what do you want to accomplish?
Some basic principles of web design:
Design for a purpose
1. Introduce yourself and classes
2. Assignments/Plans - students, parents, admin
3. Responsibility on Students
4. Make yourself accessible
5. Catch their attention
Colors*Limit your colors and be consistent
*Contrast between font and background
*Background patterns are a No-No
*Colors compliment purpose
*Don’t make it too small or it’s hard to read*Don’t make it too big or you’re
SHOUTING*Don’t choose a weird font or no one can read it
Font
*Make it user friendly and intuitive [don’t make them think too hard]
*Put important info on top
*Limits graphics and images to those that compliment the purpose
*Scrolling…there should be some, but not a lot [use bookmarks if you must have a lot of text]
Content
*bulleted lists= good, paragraphs=bad
*make important ideas POP
*separate long lists into sections, maybe with titles and/or dividers
*Pages should be clearly and succinctly titled
As one site puts it, you should answer the questions
“Where am I?” and “What can I do here?”
Top of Page
*briefly introduce you and your course
*give contact info
*keep it simple, no long verbose
paragraphs
Homepage
Homepage
Let’s Make A Plan!!
Step 1: Your File Cabinet
[i.e. the back end, hidden file structure]
Step 2: Your Website
[i.e. the website everyone sees]
Make your life easier by coming up with a plan that suites your needs.
Don’t let the computer do it for you.
Options:*Create files for each of your classes/levels*Create files [or sub files] for each topic/chapter
you teach*Create files for paperwork/forms, movies,
projects, etc.
Your Hidden File Structure Organize the Back End
Your Hidden File Structure
Log in to your webpage and go to Site Manager
Designing the Front EndWhat the world sees
Questions to ask yourself:
1. What organization does my set of classes lend itself to?
2. Do I want all of my lesson plans on my page? Just the assignments? Both?
a. How much of my materials and plans are already digital? [CamScanner App for smart phones]
3. What’s my level of technological patience and savvy?
What the World Sees Different Ideas for Inserting Assignments
1. Using a “Links Page” vs Flexpage 2. Using a “File Library” type page [and why I don’t]
Crazy Animal Section of Flex page vs Crazy Animal File Library3. Using an “Assignments” type page – SraAaron’s page and Mrs.Howington’s page4. Using a Separate Blank “Flex” Page for each class/level
4A. Link to a PDF of your lesson plans Pros – easy if you already have your plans typed out, easier to control
formatting, easy to see whole year at once, easy for kids to printCons – harder create links to worksheets and handouts
4B. Type/copy your plans on the page itself –Pros – easier to link to worksheets your kids can print
Cons – extra step of copy-pasting from your plans into the webpage, takes up more space visually on the page
Considerations – Do you want most recent assignments on top or on the bottom? Do you want them to have to scroll all the way down?5. Using the Calendar Page for All Classes at Once – Hustwit’s page
Pros- everything in one place, easy to link hndts, easy to link to Eduphoria for admin
Cons – lots of typing or cut-n-paste for you, lots of steps
Now to Start Bulding
Choosing the right page type to suit your needs
Flex Page
Bonus: Linking in Eduphoria
1. Log in to Eduphoria eduphoria.dentonisd.org
2. Go to Forethought and then MyPlanner3. Go to ChangeMySettings in the bottom left corner…click on MySchedules
4. Click AddASchedule and give it a name like “Check Schoolwires”
5. Then you must AddAnEntry [like adding a class to the day’s schedule.] Choose to add ASpecialEntry, give it an EntryTitle [This is what will appear on your lesson plans page when your school administrator views it.] Check the “No” box for comments.
6. I have chosen to have 2 “entries,” one that says “see schoolwires” and another with the web address of my lesson plans page.