Websites that People will Actually Use What is our vision?

Characteristics of a good school website?              

What makes you return to a website?              

What makes you NOT return to a website?              

Successful Planning  What program will you use?  Who is responsible?  Who is your audience?  Brainstorm Content Guidelines Graphics

Successful Planning  Create the site in phases – Rome was not build in a day!

Successful Planning  Create an organizational chart for planning purposes  If you already have a site, place it on a chart If it doesn’t work on a chart, it probably doesn’t work for the users Home StudentsTeachersParents

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

Suggestions  Basics Teacher Directory including addresses and links to teacher pages Parent Information including student handbook, homework policy, after school activities, Principal’s Letter, School Calendar, internet resources Student Information including handbook, lunch menus, school calendar, club information

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

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

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

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!

What’s next?

References/Sources   /on-line_dw.htm /on-line_dw.htm