Web Presence Overview Lesson

What to Include and Hints

It can be hard to know what to include on your site. Here is a list of what I think are essential elements and below are some options that could be useful and cool:

Essentials

Schedule of class events

Can be done in a table, calendar, or other ways

Include links to handouts, sites when possible

Intro to you and contact info

Links to additional resources

Representations of learning (pics, student work, etc.)

*HINT: Use this website review form to check for quality

Other Options

Embed objects (Quizlet study tools, Presentations, YouTube and other videos, Twitter Feed, Survey Using Google Forms, Calendar, and more)

To embed, you must first copy the embed code from the item you want to embed. This is usually found in the share features of the item
In your site, turn on the html editor (usually an icon that says html or <>)
Paste the embed code where you want the object to be (can be confusing, try embedding before adding other stuff)
Most website creators have widgets for adding html

Create collaborative pages/sites for students or colleagues

How to in Weebly, Google Sites, Shutterfly, Blogger
You can set permissions in different ways depending on what you want and what the tool allows

Hints

Drive people to your site so it gets used

Include a link to your site in all correspondence (email signature, business card, etc.)
Make it part of your class lessons when applicable
Tell students to get missing work from the site
Post the URL in your room or where people will see it

Keep the design simple! Snazzy backgroundss and flashing images may look cool, but they are distracting.
Ensure easy navigation. Use a sidebar or navigation tabs to make sure a visitor can get from page to page no matter where they are in your site
Update frequently. It may take a while to get in the habit, but if it takes you a week to post, that's seven days people couldn't access current resources.

Try to work in 5-10 minutes each day.
Don't try to include everything at first.