Websites that People will Actually Use

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Websites that People will Actually Use

• What is our vision?

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Characteristics of a good school website?

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What makes you return to a website?

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What makes you NOT return to a website?

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Successful Planning

• What program will you use?
• Who is responsible?
• Who is your audience?
• Brainstorm Content
• Guidelines
• Graphics

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Successful Planning

• Create the site in phases Rome was not build in
  a day!

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Successful Planning

• Create an organizational chart for planning
  purposes
• If you already have a site, place it on a chart
• If it doesnt work on a chart, it probably
  doesnt work for the users

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Organizational Warnings!!

• Teachers who want their pages on the home page
• Site must make sense to someone who has never
  seen it before
• Keep it consistent

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Suggestions

• Basics
• Teacher Directory including email addresses and
  links to teacher pages
• Parent Information including student handbook,
  homework policy, after school activities,
  Principals Letter, School Calendar, internet
  resources
• Student Information including handbook, lunch
  menus, school calendar, club information

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Suggestions

• Work with your administration and show them any
  major design changes you are considering.a
  couple of pages as examples
• Ask principal to outline to faculty what s/he
  expects from them in terms of participation

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Suggestions

• Use school colors, logos to keep your site
  consistent (template)
• Examples
• Ooltewah High School
• Franklin High School
• Shimelphenig Middle School
• Martha Hunt Elementary School

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Suggestions

• Graphics
• Make sure that pages are not cluttered with
  graphics there is too much of a good thing
• Consider the time if takes to load there are
  those who may be using dial-up
• No names with student pictures

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Things to Avoid!

• Random colors not associated with your school
  logos or mascot
• Dark background with light text (what if a parent
  wants to print?)
• Too many things blinking bouncing
• Inconsistent design between pages
• Too many cooks in the kitchen!

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Whats next?
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References/Sources

• http//www.lesliefisher.com/
• http//www.internet4classrooms.com/on-line_dw.htm