Thoughts from Third: An Introductory Website

I'm a little hesitant to post the link for my website, considering that many of my colleagues have created some pretty fantastic examples that they've already put to work in their classroom.  My website is a very rudimentary start at a future classroom "hub," complete with access to daily homework assignments, pictures, blog posts, policies and procedures, and helpful links for students and parents.  

If it sounds daunting to you, trust me, the feeling's mutual.  Hence, my website is still a work in progress.  I don't know where exactly I'll be teaching next year, so I used this website a s a general template for information I might want to include.  I plan to expand upon it further in my next class, Computers in the Classroom.  Depending on how ambitious I feel, I may even want to try out a Google Site, considering that West Hartford supports Google apps.  If only there were more hours on the day!  

Nevertheless, maintaining a weekly [professional] blog and website are two tasks on my teacher "bucket list," so it's time to make those dreams a reality. 

Got some Webspiration?

As I prepare to tackle my own website (Yep, I'm taking the plunge!) I thought it best to "borrow" some inspiration from several of my colleagues.  And, I couldn't resist snagging the equally as beautiful, luck enabling, springtime calling photograph included above.  I keep reminding myself that it's all about capturing those quiet, little moments, amidst all of the hustle and bustle that is my daily life!

To date, I've found Google Sites to be incredibly user-friendly, yet I'm not quite as impressed with the overall "look."  My friends and fellow teachers insist that Weebly is uber easy to use once you master the basics [I'll believe it when I see it!], offering an endless supply of goodies, like neat backgrounds, drop-down menus, and adorable fonts/titles/headers.  What can I say?  I like to go the extra mile and make things pretty :)

If you're looking for some inspiration, hop on over to Drama Academic to take a look at how one USJ graduate student designed a  website with a variety of science and social studies resources for teachers.  It's still a work in progress, but I'm loving the organization and drop-down menus.  I'd also recommend having a look see at Learn with Team Van Pelt, another USJ graduate student who is in the midst of creating an online portfolio and "portal" to house resources for parents.  Again, the layout is clean, simple, and professional.  

Yep, I'm swooning.  Luckily for me, teaching is all about stealing swapping ideas from fellow educators, so I hope to adapt some of these handy ideas in my upcoming website.  Stay tuned...  

photo credit: Tc Morgan via photopin cc