Purposes:

• provide organized access to course information and materials
• provide multimedia materials (audio, video, images)
• enable learning opportunities outside of regular class time
• extend instructional resources from the school environment to the home environment
• differentiate instruction by providing resources for multiple learning styles and abilities
• increase student & parent involvement, engagement, and communication

Types of Content to Include:

• class notes
• review sheets
• PowerPoint presentations
• electronic copies of paper documents handed out on paper in class
• scanned copies of paper documents
• study guides, test prep
• tutorials, help sheets
• assessment rubrics
• recurring content (e.g. spelling lists, word lists, math mystery, historical fact, etc.)
• examples of model student work or model projects
• concept maps
• audio messages such as: fireside radio chat, a welcome message, weekly address, etc.
• instructional videos (Camtasia screencasts)
• pictures, images, photos, maps

• links to course textbook sites
• links to sites that extend & enrich course content
• links to images, audio, video, multimedia content (e.g. UnitedStreaming.com)
• links to online resources (e.g. encyclopedias, library databases, photo archives, etc.)
• links to online magazines & newspaper articles
• links to local community resources (public libraries, museums, experts, etc)

• discussion board(s)
• student journals
• teacher and student blogs
• student email address list
• chat rooms
• online forms for submitting information
• online polls and surveys

Collaboration Tools

• course or topic wikis
• social networking sites (ning)
• discussion boards
• social bookmarking
• micro-blogging (twitter)

• calendar of events
• reminders of upcoming events, important announcements, changes to previously scheduled items, what's new, etc.
• field trip information, packing lists, permission slips, etc.
• student of the week, author/scientist/scholar etc. of the week

• provide an authentic audience for student work (school or global community)
• allow commenting/feedback for students work (school or global community)
• Grades (or link to grading SIS)

• When are you available outside of class (office hours)?
• Do you grade on a curve?
• How can I help my child do better in your class?
• How can I help my child, if I, myself, don't understand the things you teach?
• What is your teaching style/pedagogy/philosophy?
• What resources (books, software, etc) would you suggest?
• Can I volunteer or help you in some way?

• teacher name(s), contact info, credentials, courses/grades/subjects taught
• professional bio (our classroom web sites are an excellent opportunity to remind our communities that we are well-educated, experienced, and dedicated professionals who take our jobs seriously)
• class rules and expectations
• guidelines, tips, hints for success
• syllabus or course description
• daily schedule, office hours
• grading policies
• homework and other assignment policies
• list of books or other print materials used for the class
• "tour our classroom" virtual tour
• supply list

• wish list or dream page (e.g. if we had "x" we could do "y")
• a "wall of fame" web page thanking volunteers who have contributed to your classroom
• photos of class projects, trips, students at work, etc.
• resources for a substitute teacher: class list, seating chart, name tags, daily schedule, expected code of behavior, classroom rules, puzzles/word searches/quiet activities, policies on computer use, names of a few reliable students or teachers who can be called on to help out, directions for dismissal, a letter to the class for the students to read saying that you miss them and expect a great report from the sub when you return, a book of stories or poems to read from.

Teacher Website Examples: