This story in the Post-Dispatch discusses the growing use of teacher web pages in our schools.  Are they a good idea?  Do they help or hinder classroom performance?

The best advantage of an updated teacher web site is the ability to always have key information available — a syllabus, classroom policies and guidelines, homework assignments, handouts.  Indeed, using the Internet can actually save districts money by having kids go to the website to find handouts, and print them out for themselves or use them online.  Additionally, teachers can provide links to multimedia presentations, primary source documents and other great resources that would have cost so much money in the not so distant past.

Dangers?  Some kids can get too dependent on the website and not remember to write down assignments, bring materials to class, and complete work on a timely basis.  Also, teachers could become too tempted by the ease of technology and put too much emphasis on independent learning rather than classroom instruction and interaction.

As with other discussions we have had on technology in the classroom, it ultimately comes down to how a teacher uses the technology.  I think the websites help students overall and also help parents as well — parents can stay totally up to date on what their kids are learning, what the assignments are, and can find out if their kids have been slacking.  Finally, I think that a good and enjoyable website, particularly for younger kids, can help develop consistent homework patterns and encourage doing the work regularly because of the lure and ease of technology.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 19th, 2008 at 10:25 am and is filed under For Educators, For Parents, For Students. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.