Guidelines for Educational Web Sites
This table provides important guidelines educational websites. The guildelines should also be be used to create an effective classroom website.
| Guideline |
Explanation |
| Site Consistency |
- Keep each page consistent in look and feel and the entire site consistent with commonly used web Conventions.
- Use consistent styles and names for navigation buttons, and keep the key navigation buttons in a consistent place on every page.
|
| Medium vs. Message |
- Do not use too many fonts and colors that might detract from the message you are trying to communicate.
- Animation and graphics should add interest but not overwhelm the text messages.
- High-resolution pictures should be used sparingly.
- Balance should be maintained on all pages, avoiding a cluttered look and providing plenty of "white space" to separate visual displays.
|
| Bias-Free Content |
- Information presented should be presentations of fact rather than attempts to persuade.
- All aspects of the site should be free from any cultural, ethnic, or gender bias.
|
| Date Notifications |
- Date for creation of the web site and the last update date should be included.
- Time-sensitive materials should be monitored and updated as necessary.
|
| Site Map or Search Engine |
- Either an outline of all the pages and the information located on each or a way to search the site should be provided.
|
| Multimedia Elements |
- Include alternatives to text (audio, animation, video clips) for communicating your message to meet alternative learning styles.
- As necessary, include links to plug-ins needed for the multimedia you include.
|
| Current Links |
- Add links to other web sites to enhance a lesson or broaden its scope.
- Check to be sure that links are appropriate to the content of your site and that they are current and fully functional.
|
| Contact Information |
- Include your name, grade or department, school address, and school phone number.
- Include a hot-link pop-up to your email address so that a visitor can send you an email message simply by clicking on that link.
|
| Copyright Information |
- Clearly display copyright information throughout the site.
- Provide contact information for permission to use copyrighted information or provide permission for limited use right on your site.
- Be sure you include all necessary links and citations for materials on your site.
|
| Student Privacy |
- The site should include no student information unless expressed parental permission is obtained.
- The site should ensure that shared student information does not violate a student's privacy or compromise safety.
|
| Disability Sensitivity |
- Check your site with the Bobby online portal (http://bobby.watchfire.com/bobby/html/en/index.jsp) to test the usability of your site for those with disabilities.
|
Excerpt from Teaching and Learning with Technology , by J. Lever-Duffy & J.B. McDonald, 2008 edition, p. 313.
© 2008, Allyn & Bacon, an imprint of Pearson Education Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
