PARENTS: What Do You Look for in a Teacher's Web Site?

[*NikkiBell*]

So, many of you know that I've decided to re-do much of my teacher web site. As a parent, what is the most important part of your teacher's page? What do you wish was on there? How much information do you want to read about your child's teacher?

Thanks for the help!

 

[KittyKitty]

I like to see what are the assignments and when they are due.

Also have seen outside links to help students with the teacher's class.

Knowing when the best time to contact the teacher directly, for parent and student, would help.

I know with teachers' busy schedule, the web site is not top priority, but keeping it up to date really helps the parents "nag" the student to get their work done!

 

[lucky978]

I'm not sure what grade you teach but my daughters are entering 5th grade this year.

Last year one of their teachers had a website that was great. It had the basic stuff like room rules, etc. but also had homework assignments upated each day. It had links to the online books the kids had access to (so they didn't have to bring their books home every day). It had a schedule of "specials" like what day they had gym, art, music, etc. It also had a schedule for the month that had any activities, conferences, assignments due, etc.

Hope this helps.

 

[daneenm]

DD's 6th grade teacher did a great site. It had daily homework assignments, links to a copy of the online textbook, a wish list of what was needed in the classroom, etc. She also did a weekly blog to let us know what they had been up to that week.

It was fantastic!

 

[eeyorethegreat]

We have here what is called Powerschool. I imagine other parts of the country do as well. Anyway, on there we are supposed to be able to read what the assignments are when they are due what the criteria are for projects etc. Also grades are supposed to be entered so parents can keep up with what their child has and has not turned in and what the current grades and attendence in each class are. I find that some teachers are better than others at keeping this updated or informative. Students are supposed to be abelt to check this information as well to make sure they are current and on track.

I would set a basic course outline - I forget which level you teach- outlining what the goals of the class are and what the expectations are. I would want to see the assignments posted with clear expectations (So parents are on to what the assignment requires rather than having the child say two days before a project is due that they need to gather such and such information from places A, B, C and so kids who might be ahhh less attentive in documenting assignments in their planner can go there and- refresh their memory), due dates of assignments, Links and other pertinent and helpful information to help students in completing assignments, upcoming activities, field trips if any and topics for class.

I visited the site of one of the teachers my son will have for a class the other day. He had a message board where the students could post ideas and questions about the topics (and only the topics in other words no idle chatter) they were discussing in class, where they were getting support materials etc. The teacher is also invlolved in these discussions. I thought it was a pretty cool idea another way to keep the kids thinking and expand on ideas discussed in class. I guess my other advice to to make sure it stays current. I have seen some teacher sites that look like they got off to a good start but then it never gets updated it still has the same info that was posted in Sept and it is now May KWIM?

.

 

[miss missy]

Glad to answer this!! I am that parent lol, the one who emails you and checks in often. I find the teachers LOVE that I do too I want to support them and need their support too, so it works well.

OK so one teacher used a site called teacherease.com, she paid for it herself. It gave me up coming assignments and currents grades. I am sure it is a lot of keep it updated, and she did it wonderfully. My DD got an A in her class It is a wonder what they can do when the support system is in place.

What I would like to see, the upcoming assignments, grades (if your are doing that type of site) contact info!! If there are things coming up like books they will need, that would be great too. The more info the better

Hope that helps.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

Also I was just thinking that as you update you site, you might want to ask your students (depending on age) and parents what types of things that they would like for you to have on the site, that way you are directing it specifically to their needs/wants and you aren't spending time putting things there that no one is looking at.

 

[daneenm]

We have here what is called Powerschool.
.

I LOVE PowerSchool! At DD's school it is used for electronic grade book (including missing assignments), school announcements. etc.

It is a great tool for parents!

 

[mommyceratops]

Our school doesn't have that. But it sounds cool!

 

[eeyorethegreat]

I LOVE PowerSchool! At DD's school it is used for electronic grade book (including missing assignments), school announcements. etc.

It is a great tool for parents!

It is a great tool...IF it is updated regularly. I have found that some teachers will and others won't . We have some great teachers kids love them learn a lot etc but as far as communication with parents not so much. But that is OT so I won't go into it. Announcements were sent out fairly regularly though- general school announcements. I have also found that there are a lot of glitches. At our school and my DHs the system is down quite a bit.

 

[hideeh]

Nikki- you have gotten a lot of great replys and I would echo those parents. We had both a teacher who didn't update regularly and one who expected parents to check what they updated regularly. I appreciate being able to hop online to get the spelling list (I have a 9 yo DD) that was left at school, etc. My DD likes to go online and follow the links her language arts teacher posts for educational game sites for her to play/learn. It is also helpful to get on the homepage and see if there is any posted changes to the normal routine. We do A,B,C,D,E days in our district and I can not keep track to save my live which day it is, throw in a snow day and it is even worse! Thank you for being concerned enough for your students to spend YOUR time doing this. That's what makes a teacher awesome! We have had two that are just going through the motions waiting to retire and it is sad for the students, but also sad for the parents that want to be involved in their child's education.

Also, our district has a password protected portion of their website linked directly to our childs daily/weekly/marking period grades. I really like that.

Enjoy planning for your upcoming year!

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Thank you for the replies everyone. I actually have all that is mentioned here so I guess I am in good shape. I have a blog, homework assignments listed, websites & games, an "about me" page, information about state testing, etc. The only thing I feel very strongly about not including is weekly spelling/vocabulary lists. I feel that by the fifth grade (my grade level) students should be responsible enough to bring this home each night. I also have them record it in their homework agenda (which goes home daily) so it is in two spots.

Our school uses Schoolwires as their website software. It is very aggravating to use when you are trying to go above and beyond. The formatting can be a total nightmare. It took me over an hour to fix one page of the site this morning as a result. Still, I am going to truck on and continue to update.

Thanks for your help!