Benefits of a Building a Classroom Website

It’s understandable if creating a classroom website has been at the low end of your priority list. Maybe you have been thinking about building one for a while, but who has the time? Unfortunately, classroom websites too often take the backseat. Either the website is too complicated to update on a regular basis and ends up being neglected, or perhaps you’re underwhelmed by the district issued site. Before you brush off the idea of creating your own website, take a brief moment to consider how it can benefit you, your students, and your class as a whole. 

Getting to Know You

One of the great things about creating your own website is that you can reveal some of your personality, and what student doesn’t want to get to know her teacher a bit more? Students like to make connections with their teachers and see what they have in common. This is also an excellent way to share contact info with parents rather than having them rely on the school office. You may want to consider posting pictures of your dog, your campsite from summer break, or even a list of your favorite things from sports teams to children’s authors. Your “About Me” section can settle the nerves of a shy student before a brand new school year or satisfy a curious parent. 

Announcements, Events, and Calendars

If you’ve ever thought about the amount of paper you pass out to students on a weekly basis, it may seem like a whole tree’s worth. Half the time, there’s a good chance those forms that need a parent signature or a calendar marking important classroom events probably goes missing or gets crumpled up at the bottom of a backpack. While it may be necessary to pass out hard copies, sharing the same information on your website can add a little extra insurance. Every educator will agree that communication is key, and this is an excellent way to boost communication. 

Assignments and Syllabus 

The older your students are, the more difficult it can be to get them caught up if they are absent for a few days. Rather than tracking down a friend or family member to deliver missed assignments to your absent student, post class notes and assignments on your website. Not only will this keep an absentee connected, but all of your students can have access to assignments and the syllabus, so there’s never any question or debate about what is due and when. Consider linking your PowerPoint presentation, video clips, or even your classroom expectations as well. By taking the time to post relevant information, you may actually be saving yourself some time in the classroom. 

Planning Your Website

Planning your website can be exciting and a little overwhelming, considering all of the information you may want to post. The best time to create your website is during summer break when you’re not in the middle of a busy academic year. Additionally, always try to make it easy for even the least tech-savvy of individuals to navigate your site by avoiding clutter and irrelevant information. 

Building Your Own Site

One of the benefits of building your own website is that you have total control over the site. Not only do you have the opportunity to take your time and customize your site without worrying about paying a web designer by the hour, but you can gain a better understanding of the ins and outs of the site with a more hands on approach. You don’t need to know about coding or other technical jargon, but when you create your own site, you will figure out how to make edits and updates (even if it is by trial and error, at first). Whether you choose a template from WordPress or prefer to build a site from scratch, as you search for the best website builder for your classroom needs, take the time to discover what’s possible with a little planning and research. 

Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services