Unit 2 Blog - School Websites

What are your reactions to the COVID information found on each website?

-        My reaction is mixed. The Covid information from Meade School feels overly prominent and takes away from the school’s mission/vision statements. Could this information be less prominent or put to the side? I like the way the other schools present their Covid information, with the exception of Flandreau. Flandreau’s link almost blends in. The first time I went through their website I bypassed the Covid information link. I understand we are in a pandemic, but the pandemic cannot be the only thing we focus on. Schools are still educating students and doing great things.

 

Is it worth the time and effort to establish and maintain such a website?

-        It is always worth time and effort to maintain a website. However, that time, effort, and resources (especially in small schools) are not always available. Most of my staff where multiple hats and do not have a free period. Also, the initial cost of a new website is a bit hard for some board members to swallow. Part of the reason it might be tough to swallow is that a great websites value was not explained to them and the fact that they have gotten by with a poor website for so long, they do not know any different.

What is the condition of your school’s website?

-        The condition of our school’s website is five steps below terrible. I actually thought I would see our school’s website on a list of yours for poor websites. The new superintendent, formerly principal and tech director, hired a new technology director the same year I started. He tasked the new tech director to build/update our website. The new tech director built a concept and model to build off of, but the superintendent did not care for it. I am not sure clear direction/expectations were given or if he just didn’t care for the website? This has made our tech director gun shy from working any further on updating our website. Discussion on having a company build/maintain one for us has been discussed, but price and commitment on our end has been an issue.

What information should be included in a school website?

-        We have to try to imagine what our patrons will need/want to know and go from there. All of it is important, but how it is presented or how easy it is to access might be more important. The list of things that should be on a school website is endless.

What role should the superintendent have with the school website?

-        The superintendent’s role with a school website is multi-faceted. The superintendent needs to make sure that the resources and personnel are available to create and maintain it. The superintendent also needs to know what information is being put out there. The superintendent is responsible for all of the information that goes on the website. Evaluation and re-evaluation of the website is also something that the superintendent needs to be a part of. This might come in the form of surveys or focus groups.

Should each teacher be required to have a link on the school website that contains information about their classes (such as assignments, web resources, etc)?

-        Part of me thinks that at the very least, teachers should have a link that would get parents to their lesson plans and contact information or to another website where this information is found. Some teachers have other mediums that they use with great effectiveness and efficacy. Another part of me wants to have a dedicated spot that looks professional and has the model and feel of the school district. As with most things, policies and plans are not put in place for teachers or staff that do a great job.

How can students be involved creating and maintaining a school website?

-        I think a class can be used to help update and maintain a school website. However, this is only after a foundation of trust has been created and clear expectations and rules have been set for the students. We want students producing, but we cannot have them producing things and posting them on the school website that reflects poorly on the school.