Website and Distance Learning

The distance learning stuff was rather interesting. Have yet to personally try it. Sort of like my reading list - my to do list is a bit long. Did some searches and found online tutorials for Java. May try that or html sites to learn. I have already learned to program in Benton Hardon Basic and played a little bit with C. Not to mention I started on Wordstar 3.3, so I know about imbedded commands.

Putting up the website was interesting. Got most of it working. Sorry to hear that moving icons irritates the instructor. I like them! Limited myself to one.... Just had to have the flying envelope. The biggest problem I had was getting my biography online WITH the photo. Found a page style that allowed me to upload my original Word document, including the photo's. So, got my biography up with photo's, but it works by downloading to a viewers computer. Not sure what format I should use for that stunt. Emailed Sharon, but have yet to get answer. Personally wonder if I should have used another format. I don't know how pervasive Word format is. I don't have access to an Apple type, so I have no way to test. I know that any Windows based machine should be able to handle the format. There are also Linux machines out there, but they get what they deserve!! Seriously, I have no idea what Linux machines are like, and again, no way of testing the website. So one thought for the future, I need to find access to someone with an Apple to doublecheck any website I set up using this or similar service as TeacherWeb.com. I like this particular site's long list of services. I especially like being able to set up a notice list and a gradebook online. To me that would represent a labor saver in terms of notifying parents that Johnny/Julie missed homework and their grade was suffering. I also like that it looks like I can either do straight HTML, or if ignorant, I can come up with a way to get around it, but renaming pages, etc. I even managed to upload my Pastel Portrait and used it as a button on the homepage. I didn't take the time, but in the future, would like to find artwork that is expressive of who I am and put on the website. After I get over the ego trip, could then work on graphics that are thematic and still get across what is on the website. Assuming I had a projector or smartboard I like that could also put alot of work on the website and call it up during class as needed, like the homework list. I got the format I used from current master teacher at Washington Open.

Actually, navigating the site was easy. Biggest problem was around matching Class requirements for photo. If I didn't need to do that, took about 2 hours or so to set up, with most of that just learning how to navigate the site setup menus. Next time, figure it will take about 30 minutes or less to do. To me that makes this website effective and cost effective timewise. With auto communications done by email, I can then concentrate on the few families that have no internet access.