Technology Bandwagon?

Should teachers jump on the technology bandwagon and launch themselves into the online world? 

YES! There are so many benefits for teachers working with their classrooms and students online, via social networking sites like Twitter and Edmodo or through a simple online class website.  Some teachers use the excuse of using Learning Management Systems (LMS), such as Moodle or Blackboard,  is their "online presence".  However, these systems cannot be accessed by the general public nor can they have personal information added about the teacher or class.  LMS seem very robotic and automated to the students and parents viewing them, lessening the connection that they have with the site and the person behind the site.  A teacher website can change some of these things and might even be easier to operate and manage than some of the LMS.

Pros of a Teacher Website:

Good Teacher Website Curtsey of dfulford.weebly.com

• An easy way to be able to still "teach" out of your classroom.  By posting homework, review sheets,  or external links, students and parents who need the extra help to understand, have access to this information at all hours of the day.
• Helps with the "What did I miss?" If teachers are posting daily assignments and topics, this can greatly help a student who has missed a day or two in the classroom.
• Your website goes farther than your classroom.  Not only can you share your ideas with other educators as you post to your class website, but if you are a new teacher, a class website is a good way to make a good impression on a perspective school.
• It connects you to your parents.  While some parents are very active in their child's schooling, some cannot find the time or means to get to the school and meet you during school hours.  By having an online website, connecting with these parents gets easier.  While these parents aren't physically meeting you, they feel as if they are meeting you through an online interface, building connections, trust, and a support system online.
• It's becoming easier.  With website generators such as Weebly and Google Sites, creating and maintaining a website is becoming easier and easier.

Cons of a Teacher Website:

• It's not a catch all.  Some teachers may view the website as another way to teach remedial students; while it can be a helpful tool it cannot replace the teacher themselves.  Don't get too carried away in the capabilities that the website may have on your students.
• Not everyone has Internet.  I would be wary of only posting assignments or homework to a class website as not everyone has Internet access to gain access to these assignments.  A class website shouldn't hurt a child's success.



Not a Great Teacher Website Curtsey of 

http://schoolcenter.gcsnc.com/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=1107&

• It does take time.  While the process has become easier, you still have to do the updating and upkeep.  If you don't upkeep your website, there is no point in having one.

Here are some of the most basic pros and cons that I felt were important to consider when creating your online presence through the usage of a class website.  Both of the screenshots of websites prove that both teachers (whose websites I am borrowing) have some-what of an "online presence".  The first screenshot of a website has a picture of the teacher with a caption telling a few interesting things about himself.  Additionally, he has several links on his page that are consistently updated for his classroom.  This is an example of a website that I thought was very helpful; He provided some information about himself as well as key information that parents and students need.  The second website lacked some key information.  It had no picture or personal information on this teacher.  Additionally, the links this teacher did have, weren't very helpful or were blank.  These two screenshots of teacher websites help prove that not only being online is helpful; running an updated and useful website is key.