Section V: Using Multimedia Tools to Enhance Learning Web Authoring

Frameworks: What we know. . . How has design of the Web changed? Began as a means of exchanging text-based communication Became a means of publishing because of ease and lack of expense BUT - No Visual Appeal Graphic designers adapted it for graphic page design Became huge information source BUT - limited to designers who could write code 2

Frameworks: What we know. . . So, then what happened? Continuous push to make publishing easier WYSIWYG Such as Dreamweaver, Contribute, Amaya Content-Managed Such as Blackboard, Drupal, Moodle Web 2.0 tools Such as blogs, wikis, web-sites 3

Basics: Web Publishing What are the benefits of Web publishing for schools and teachers? Cost of publishing vs print-based Use of color is free Distribution is basically free Accessibility (24/7) Linking audience to massive amounts of information and resources immediately Communication Able to communicate with students and parents 4

Basics: Web Publishing What type of information is found at a school site? General information for the school Mission statement, school administration, school calendar, contact information and map News/Events Schedules: Bus, Athletics Organizations: Parent-Teacher, Student Support Areas: Cafeteria, Library, Counselor Faculty: Classrooms 5

Basics: Web Publishing What type of information is found at a teacher site? General information Teacher bio, supply list, class policies, class schedule. Instruction Gen resources, virtual field trips, project-based sites, WebQuests, tutorials, homework, study guides Showcase Projects, art work, writing, student of the week News and Coming Events Annual photos, field trips, science fairs, parent conferences 6

Basics: Methods for Creating What are the different methods used for web-design? Hand Code Creates by writing HTML code. WYSIWYG Software resembles a word processor. Current ones are fairly sophisticated Requires technical expertise Content-Managed (proprietary and open source) Hosted Requires little expertise. Usually gives access to many features through the control panel (discussion forum, announcements, blogs, etc. 7

Basics: Methods for Creating, cont.d What are the different methods used for web-design? Web 2.0 Online Little technical expertise required Access is 24/7 with Internet and browser Free Open-source 8

Basics: More about Web 2.0 What are the tools that can be used to create websites? Blogs Blogger || Edublogs Wikis PBWorks || Wikispaces Website Google Sites || Weebly Web Start Pages iGoogle || Netvibes || Pageflakes 9

Basics: Obtaining Server Space Do I need to obtain server space for my site? Depends on the tool that is being used Hand code: YES WYSIWYG: YES Content managed : YES - but comes with account Web 2.0: YES - but comes with account 10

Basics: Organization of Files Do I need to organize the files for my site? YES!!!!!!! Create a Root folder Name the folder web so that you will know it contains your web files Contains a folder with all graphics for the site .jpeg, .gif, .png Contains a folder for videos that you create (unless you are linking to them on Teacher Tube, etc) Contains homepage Contains each additional page of site 11

Basics: Web Page Components What are the components that might be in my site? Standard components Text: content, navigation bars, contact info Images Hyperlinks: way to navigate between pages Internal, external, anchor Optional Blog, Wikis, Podcasts, Movies 12

Basics: Making the site Accessible How should I design my site for accessibility? Background: Choose a template that frames the content but does not interfere with the content Text: Choose a high contrast color. No distracting colors such as red or neon colors. No pastels on while or light background. Use sans-serif and cross platform fonts (Ariel, Verdana) Do not use underlining - only for hyperlinks Vary the sizes for headers, sub-heads and text Be consistent!! 13

Basics: Making the site Accessible How can I design my site for accessibility? Writing Present in short blocks or text or bulleted statements. Use numbering tool when sequence is important. Use vocabulary that is appropriate for the audience. Graphics Must use .jpeg, .gif or .png files for the web Use alt tags for each graphic Change resolution to 72-96 pixels per inch Observe all copyright laws 14

Basics: Steps for Designing How should I go about designing a classroom site? Secure space on a server Apply for space by obtaining a web account Plan the site Storyboard the site Collect the components for the site Write the content Create the site Create and upload the homepage and additional pages. Preview your site on the web and check all links. 15

Adapting for Special Learners How should I adapt the site for special learners? Review the information on slides 13 and 14 Use high contrast between the background and text. Use alterative text for all graphics Transcribe audio and video The text for hyperlinks should clearly explain where the link goes. Avoid placing more than one hyperlink per line of text. Provide alternative ways to access content. Provide summaries of charts and graphs. Write out all acronyms (PTA) 16

Voices in the Classroom A Virtual Classroom Paul Gigliotti, MA Content Specialty: Social Studies Middle School Teacher in Ohio In this Voice, Paul Gigliotti, “2008 Ohio Middle School Teacher of the Year”, discusses teaching 21st century students. He points out that his classroom site is designed to take traditional history into the digital world of his students where they can access class notes and review questions, podcasts, interactive Internet assignments, presentation downloads, wiki communities, and more. Follow this inspiring teacher as he explains his path.

For more information Go to the textbook companion website: http://www.pearsonhighered.com/obannon2e Or http://web.utk.edu/~bobannon/preparing