The Digital Educator 3 | Page 11

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On your laptop, make sure ActivInspire has been updated to the latest version. To check which version of the software is installed on your machine, click Configure on the Dashboard and on the right side of the window, click Check for Updates.

A robust teacher website also changes the way teachers teach, offering educators effective ways to reach different types of learners and assess student understanding through multiple means. It will also enhance teacher-student and teacher-parent relationships. When a teacher website is effectively integrated into subject areas, it makes teaching and learning more meaningful and fun.

Do you want to learn more about creating an effective teacher webpage for your classroom using the latest web tools? Buffalo Public Schools Teaching and Learning Center offers a course, “Using the Teacher Webpage as an Instructional Tool.” This course teaches how to incorporate the use of the BPS teacher webpage in classroom instruction.

Some topics covered include learning how to use teacher pages as a tool for students using the classroom and lab computers, interactive whiteboards, and online resources such as Nettrekker, Pearson SuccessNet, HMH Journeys, and Castle Learning. Also, learn how to use website building tools to create subject specific links, an online filing cabinet to store documents for future use, a homework page and calendar, as well as student return pages.

Additionally, another important component of the course covers how to make web pages more visually inviting through the addition of digital images, text imaging, very basic HTML, user friendly layouts, web friendly apps and a strong use of multi-media resources. These components will help optimize the learning experience for 21st century students.

For more information about the course, please contact the BPS Teaching Center.

Do you have a teacher website? Are you using it to its full potential? Effective use of teacher websites is achieved when it supports curricular goals and actively engages students and parents. Creating a relevant and updated teacher webpage for the classroom also deepens and enhances the learning process for students.

Important Components of a

Teacher Webpage

A teacher webpage should have the following basic information:

Your name, school and position (job title) and contact info

Current classroom and homework assignments, units and activities

A schedule and/or a list of class rules and procedures

Links to online class-related resources

General news or announcements to parents, including reminders about upcoming school events and important dates or deadlines

Photos of current projects and/or students working on them (make sure you have a media release from your students and do not use personally identifiable information)