| CONTENT | DESIGN | UPLOAD/LIVE | UPDATE |
PROCESS
- Decide on content for website and create content.
- Design the website and create.
- Build website by integrating website content and design on a BLOG website.
- Go live with Website.
Decide on content for website.
1. Decide on Content
1. Decide on content. What will go into the website?
(Use Content Organizer Handout to Help you get started)
1.1. Mandatory Sections: Homepage, News, Resource Section, Contacts Page
1.1.1. HOMEPAGE: A home page is like the table of contents in a book or the front page of a newspaper. It is the first thing anyone sees about your website. This page includes the daily BLOG entries, contact information, widgets, archive links, RSS Feeds and a navigation bar that will lead you to the rest of the of the pages on the website.
1.1.2. News Section: The news section is the main content for your website. It will be on your Homepage and should take a prominent position in your web design (usually the center of the web page). This section will be updated the most as it will be where a majority of your content will be featured.
1.1.3. Resource Section: This section can be retitled something else, but it will serve as a resource section. It is a place where the purpose of your content that is contained in this section is for reference and extension of whatever you have on your page. For example, if you have lots of content on your page about sports, some good resources would be an explanation of the scores (if you have a box score), a team roster, a link to local newspapers that cover the sport, et cetera.
1.1.4. About Us/Contacts Section: This section will feature information about the website, the authors of the website (you and your school) and information regarding how to contact you (phone, email, address).
1.1.4.1. An introduction stating a vision/purpose for the website, background information regarding the creation of the website and possibly F.A.Q.s (Frequently Asked Questions) and answers.
EXTERNAL LINKS SECTION/PAGE
1.2. External Internet Links Section: This can be a separate page or a single link to a social bookmarking site (i.e. if you have a Delicious webpage, you can place a link that page in your Resource section).
IDEAS FOR ADDITIONAL PAGES
1.3. Ideas for additional pages:
1.3.1. Extracurricular Activities. Create a page that provides information, highlights and media about your school’s extracurricular activities.
1.3.1.1. Sports. Include rosters, photos, statistics, et cetera.
1.3.2. Student Government. Include announcements, photographs, messages from officers, et cetera.
1.3.3. Teacher/Class Pages. Include profiles of school staff, lessons, homework, explanations of assignments, et cetara.
1.3.4. Photo Gallery. Create a live yearbook that documents the happenings in the school.
1.3.5. Social Networking Connections. Create a page that connects social networking sites like facebook, myspace, et cetera to your school.
VIDEOS, GRAPHICS and PHOTOGRAPHS, WRITE CONTENT
1.4. Videos: Do you want to post videos that highlight the school
1.5. Generate ideas Graphics and Photographs: What graphics and photographs will be included in the website.
1.6. Write content: Write news articles, feature articles, editorials, et cetera.
Design the Website.
DESIGN THE WEBSITE
2. Design the Website.
2.1. Sign up at Blogspot.com
2.2. WATCH VIDEO (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN2I1pWXjXI)
2.3. NEWS: “Isn’t everything news to someone?”
2.3.1. Create a website name. Create a name that is easy to remember. Create a name that is consistent with the purpose of the website (to engage your school community)
2.3.2. Choose a template.
2.3.3. Layout/Upload all content onto Website.
2.4. Save all drafts.
2.5. Authorize the site to go live.
UPDATE THE BLOG
3. Update BLOG daily
3.1. Once site is live, consciously update material. Put new content on BLOG. Edit content. Et Cetera.
3.2. Moderate BLOG comment forums.
3.3. Update information constantly.
Some things to consider
Design your website with your school community in mind. Below are some questions to answer while you decide on the design for the website:
- What colors should you make the templates for the website?
- What features do you want to include in the website, i.e. widgets like polls, RSS feeds, et cetera?
- Where do you want to place things on the website? i.e Where does the banner go? Where do you put contact information? What is a name for the website people will remember? A name that is appropriate?
- What font should be used? How big should it be?
Build the Website.
Put all your ideas together. Create the content (stories about your school, i.e. an interview with the principal, a slide show of the soccer team playing, a virtual tour of the school, et cetera.) Put it all together and upload everything to the blog site of your choice (preferably Blogger).
UPDATE THE BLOG
3. Update BLOG daily
3.1. Once site is live, consciously update material. Put new content on BLOG. Edit content. Et Cetera.
3.2. Moderate BLOG comment forums.
3.3. Update information constantly.