oct26pchs

= = = Introduction =

First of all, just for fun:

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=Before We Begin: Important Terminology=


 * Blog** - Short for "//web log"//. A blog is a type of website that is designed to be updated frequently and display all relevant and recent content in the most prominent position.


 * Wiki** - Derived from a Hawaiian term for "quick." A wiki is type of website that is designed to be quickly and easily edited by users. Wiki sites can be set to be open, allowing anyone to edit, or closed to everyone except registered editors.
 * //Example: Wikipedia//


 * URL** - Short for "//Uniform Resource Locator//," also called a web address. This is the text you type in to your browser to bring up a web page. Often starts with www, ends with a .com, and may contain slashes and other gobbledegook. Everything on the web has a URL.
 * //Example: http://ubershare.wikispaces.com/oct26pchs//


 * WYSIWYG** - Developer lingo for "//What You See Is What You Get//." Refers to an editing program that lets you see the changes you make as they would appear in the finished web page.

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 * HTML** - Short for "//Hyper Text Markup Language//." This is the code language much of the Internet is build in. It looks something like this:
 * Embed** - To use a small piece of HTML code to insert content from one website into another. Embed codes are often used to place videos and other multimedia objects on a page rather because the object does not need to be downloaded or copied from the original site.
 * For example, this video is embeded in this page from Youtube.

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=Why Should I Build A Teacher Website?=

//**A teacher's time is limited and precious. Why should they spend time creating and maintaining a website?**//
 * **Communication** - Communicate with parents, other teachers, administrators, and most importantly, students.
 * **Networking** - Connect with other professionals and build a site that can be used as a portfolio for future employment searches.
 * **Information** - You can put your course outlines and other essential info on the web for anyone to access.
 * **Organization** - A website can be used to organize and make handouts, documents, and files available to your students 24-7. A blog can also be used as a public daybook.
 * **Collaboration** - Using a wiki site in particular, students can create content together. Also, teachers can work together to create lessons, activities, and units using collaborative websites and resources.
 * **Responsibility** - The responsibility for keeping track of assignments, deadlines, and exams can be put upon the students.

=What Kinds Of Websites Can A Teacher Make?=
 * **Typical Website** - Somewhat static, but useful for putting information out in a stable, consistent way.
 * **Blog Website** - Perfect for someone who plans to update a site regularly.
 * **Wiki Site** - Great for collaboration and building a simple site over time.
 * **Managed Content Site** - Way beyond the scope of today's discussion.

Website Platforms

 * First Class
 * Weebly
 * Edublogs
 * Wordpress
 * Wikispaces
 * PB Works
 * Google Docs

=How Do I Build A Website In FirstClass?=

For today, we will look at how to build a website in FirstClass. In addition to being a email and conferencing program, FirstClass has website construction tools.

1. When you are logged into FirstClass using the client program, find and click on the "**Web Publishing**" icon. 2. The structure of your FirstClass web page will consist of a "**Home Page Folder**" which must contain a "Home Page". The home page is the first page that will be displayed when someone follows a link or types in your site's URL.

3. Click on the "**New Web Page**" button in your tool bar. 4. You will have the option of selecting which type of page or document you want to make. You can select a static **blank page** or a page with a predetermined format, like an "**About Me**" page or a "**Welcome**" page. 5. Also from this point, you can create a **blog** format page. Blog formats operate somewhat like a conference in FirstClass, allowing you to make documents inside the blog folder. These are displayed with the most **recent at the top**, making it easy to see what's new. 6. You can record an **audio podcast** and save it to your site. 7. There is also the option to make a **calendar** page which puts your calendar on the web (some configuring may need to be done to your FirstClass calendar to make it accessible to others).

8. Editing a page is similar to making an email in FirstClass. You may want to spice them up a little with **images** and **headings**. 9. If you are up to a challenge, you can embed content from other websites into your FirstClass page. Copy and paste embed codes or snippets of HTML code into your page, then select the copied text. From the "**Format...**" drop down box, select "**Format Selection**." Check the box that says "**Literal HTML**" and the text should show up as an embedded object when you look at the site in your web browser (you will not see your changes immediately).

10. The appearance of any part of your site can be modified using the "**Appearance**" button. You can preview the appearance by clicking "**View in Browser**." Unfortunately, the themes you can use within FirstClass are somewhat limited. 11. To **change the name** of your site from "Web Publishing" to something a little more inspired, right click on **"Web Publishing**" in the left column of the main Web Publishing window. Select "**Properties**" and enter a new name in the "**Name**" box. 12. To access your site, type your **URL** into the address bar of your web browser. The URL will be "**www.hzsd.ca/~yourfirstname.yourlastname**."

Add Ons

 * **Calendar** - A calendar can be useful for keeping track to deadlines and schedules. Google Calendar is a good option if you prefer not to use the FirstClass calendar.
 * **Delicious** - A website that allows you to store links to websites online and share them with others.

=What Do You Put On Your Website?=
 * 1) Course descriptions, syllabuses, and assessment information
 * 2) Class rules and expectations
 * 3) Class Calendar
 * 4) Announcements and event details
 * 5) Links to important information about your courses and content from the Internet, including the Saskatchewan Curriculum site.
 * 6) Links to sites that you find interesting, informative, or fun.
 * 7) Contact information for your students to get in touch with you (though you may want to use a special email address for this purpose)
 * 8) Handouts, documents, other materials for students to print off
 * 9) Information for parents and the community
 * 10) Your biographical information, such as your credentials and evidence of professional growth

=Do You Have Examples Of Other Teachers' Websites=


 * //First Class Websites//**
 * [|Gloria Rink (http://hzsd.ca/~gloria.rink/)]
 * Wendy Sunderland (http://hzsd.ca/~wendy.sunderland/)
 * Lee Bells (http://hzsd.ca/~lee.bells)
 * Jeannie Gardiner (http://hzsd.ca/~jeannie.gardiner/)
 * Donna Appel (http://www.hzsd.ca/~donna.levasseur)


 * //Blog Websites//**
 * Mrs. Cassidy's Website
 * Dean Shareski
 * Free Technology for Teachers
 * Langwitches Blog
 * iLearn Technology
 * My own classroom site

**//Wiki Sites//**
 * Ubershare
 * K-12 Learning 2.0
 * Web 2.0 Cool Tools for Schools
 * Nokomis Projects
 * My own classroom wikispace

=Advice, Tips, and Tricks=
 * Keep it simple
 * Put in some graphics and images to spruce it up a bit.
 * Setting up a website can take time and there is a learning curve, but it pays off in the end if done right.
 * Find something that works for you and stick with it
 * Avoid putting student information and especially pictures on your site.
 * Be consistent; inconsistent or insufficient updates will kill any traffic.
 * If you have trouble or need help, ASK.

=Other Questions or Topics for Discussion=
 * Discovery Education
 * Engrade
 * LearnBoost
 * Planbook
 * Responsible Use

**//Questions, comments, and concerns???//**